Aug 21, 2009 5:06 pm US/Eastern
Green Scene: Old Wood Salvaged Into Floors
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A hundred years ago, home builders had an easier time finding certain woods. But many of those trees were overharvested, so people who want certain old woods now are reusing wood.
Remodeling is turning into reusing for many people.
Some folks are looking to the past when they look at their floor.
Pete Vanmetre is adding onto his vintage home.
"We're now adding almost six hundred square feet, including a big utility room, art studio, and then a bedroom and bath upstairs," said Vanmeter.
Adding the new additions doesn't mean adding new flooring, at least not from fresh cut trees.
"One of the things we really wanted to do was also try to salvage wood from what we were tearing down and use reclaimed wood for any place we could."
Another challenge is finding the right wood.
"This is an eighty-year-old house, and so one of things we want to do is stay somewhat in that style," said Vanmeter.
Enter Lee Edwards, owner of Old Texas Floors, one of many companies across the country selling reclaimed wood.
"This whole business of selling reclaimed pine flooring grew out of building my own dream house with my wife," said Edwards.
This wood comes from old homes and buildings that are being torn down or remodeled. Millers can turn old beams into pretty planks.
"Say a two-inch board will be cut in half," said Edwards. "So now we can get two flooring planks."
He specializes in longleaf pine, a species once plentiful, but now in decline.
To Lee, the old wood tells a story.
"A lot of people call it the character," said Edwards.
"You can see the history right in it."
Reclaimed wood is becoming more popular, but it might cost more than new wood.
RELATED LINKS:
Green Scene: Recycling Philly Buildings
Reclaimed Wood Salvage Companies
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