Many pieces of reclaimed hardwood come from an urban environment. A city is always changing; and as it changes it produces a lot of waste materials. One of the most precious materials often deemed as 'trash' in a city or town is hardwood.
The sources of reclaimed urban hardwood are diverse. Sometimes it is from a tree that has been cut in a park or by the side of the road to make room for some other development. Often it is from an old shed that has been torn down. Or the hardwood comes from a house or public building that has been stripped and redecorated.
Sometimes valuable hardwood can be rescued from demolition jobs. Other times, people throw out old furniture or flooring. Hardwood can be reclaimed from building skips. It can also be waste from a building project because most contractors over-order materials to take account of possible mistakes.
Finally, hardwoods are found in canals, rivers and lakes in cities. This wood is particularly interesting because the extended submersion of the wood gives it a unique look when recycled.
No matter where the hardwood is found it is kiln dried and then cut into planks suitable to make flooring with.
Naturally, not all the hardwood that is reclaimed is suitable for re-use. Sometimes it is too damaged or the kiln drying process makes the wood crack.
The wood that is successfully recycled into planks for flooring normally comes in a variety of qualities. Most dealers of reclaimed hardwood flooring have three or four grades of hardwood flooring available. Naturally, the higher the grade the more expensive it is. Often what is described as 'rustic' as more nail holes, worm holes and saw marks. Every 'rustic' floor is unique, but not to everyone's taste.
White Oak
Hickory
Cherry