With Colorado’s historical past there are plenty of abandoned mines and ghost towns that we can find reclaimed wood. Keep in mind that some of these abandoned towns are protected by the historical society, but they are still prime examples of reclaimed wood and how it is found. The most iconic thing about reclaimed wood is the history and ideas it has seen, and of course the rustic and vintage appearance it has attained over the years.

Colorado’s Ghost Towns

Independence

Independence Ghost Town sits 11,000 feet from Independence Pass, which is a steep and thrilling passage that old travelers used to make their way through via stagecoach. Nowadays, tours are offered so you can see the abandoned town and imagine what life was like back then. This ghost town was a favorite spot for gold back in the late 1800s. It has been found that over $190,000 of gold was mined in this town, although it was abandoned not long after it began.

St. Elmo and Tin Cup

Not all ghost towns are as creepy as people think, given the name. Most ghost towns are strictly called this because there is not a sign of anyone living within the town. But there are the exceptions of a few cities that are particularly daunting and give off a vibe that you may not be the only visitor. St Elmo is a town west of Buena Vista, CO. It was a town full of the hustle and bustle, leaving its wooden store fronts and preserved Main Streets to prove it. Not too far away is Tin Cup, also an abandoned town that once held rambunctious tenants, with a cemetery to show the forever homes of old visitors, sheriffs, and brawlers.

Ashcroft

Many towns that are now abandoned were only used for a short time during mining times. Others, however, are towns that were filled with life for years and eventually died out. Ashcroft was the home to a school, many private residences, 20 saloons, a jail, and stables. This town was full of hustle, and it still shows today. Most of the town is still standing just a few miles from Aspen, Colorado. Museum tours are given, which allows you to get an inside look in the jail that once held criminals, a stable, and a few saloons where all the riots took place.

When it comes to quality reclaimed wood, there a couple of key attributes that make it “quality.” The first would be the history behind it; reclaimed wood is known to be wood that’s over 100 years old. The history that reclaimed wood holds creates a mystery to it that draws people in. The second would be the color or wash. Reclaimed wood is known to have a washed out and natural colored look, which is why it’s so popular nowadays. Homeowners and designers are on a design kick when it comes to restoration hardware, and rustic appearances which reclaimed wood helps promote. Last but not least, is the overall appearance of the wood, depending on the project homeowners and designers may or may not want warped and cracked boards. Whereas for some creations, this helps enhance the overall look and feel of the project. It all depends on the preference of the client installing this in their home. For some people, it just what they have been looking for!

Recreating the look of reclaimed wood is possible by distressing new pieces of lumber and adding stains to create a color that gives off a “washed” look. Although it is possible, nothing beats the history and authenticity that traditional reclaimed wood gives off. Bring history into your home and add a piece of authenticity! Whether you are looking for faux or true reclaimed lumber products, give us a call! Our experts would be happy to help answer any questions you might have, and offer any of our wide variety of products!

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If you are already considering building your own herb garden out of reclaimed wood, you just need to know: it takes a little bit of work but the benefits far out way the responsibility.

Here are some of the top reasons to build your own herb garden out of reclaimed wood:

• Cooking with fresh herbs can really kick your recipes up a notch. Herbs accentuate food and add layers of flavor. Even if you do not want a large herb garden you can make a small window box out of reclaimed wood that can sit right on the countertop for easy access.
• Herbs have also become popular for holistic remedies for common ailments. The common cold, trouble sleeping, and even arthritis can be muted with herbal recipes.
• Whether you are cooking with herbs or using them for medicinal purposes most recipes only call for a small amount. This is why you need to consider building your own herb garden out of reclaimed wood. Instead of buying large bunches (which is how most stores sell herbs) and wasting most of it you can simply have your own plants to simply take what you need.
• Even if you are a plant lover and are not necessarily into cooking or using herbs, an herbal garden made from reclaimed wood can be a refreshing addition to your home or outdoor garden.

The types of herb gardens made from reclaimed wood are endless. Despite the size, shape, and intricacy using reclaimed wood to build your herb garden is a must. Reclaimed wood is durable, rot resistant, sturdy, and long lasting.

Indoor Countertop Garden

If you are looking for an indoor herb garden design made with reclaimed wood, you can do so no matter how much available space you have.

Reclaimed wood countertop herb garden can be small and rectangular holding only one or two herbs are larger with multiple planting compartments. It can sit on your countertop or in a windowsill for adequate growing conditions and will be within reach while cooking.

Outdoor Planters

If you want to create an outdoor herb garden using reclaimed wood, you can build square or rectangular planters that can hold multiple varieties. This is a great option if you have a small deck or patio will limited space.

If you do not have open outdoor space to set a planter you can build a wall herb garden with reclaimed wood. Using a ladder like formation with individual planting compartments that can lean up against the house gives a lot of growing space by using otherwise wasted space.

Or you can make a hanging herb garden out of reclaimed wood that you can attached small pots too or build individual containers on. These generally lay flat to the wall and have pots extended from them or built into the frame.

Large Gardens

If you are looking for something with more of a traditional garden set up, you can use reclaimed wood to line out growing areas directly in your yard. Using pieces of reclaimed wood in the same way that you would use railroad ties you can create an incredible outdoor herb garden.

Here at Rocky Mountain Reclaimed, we proudly offer a wide variety of reclaimed products through relationships we have with distributors. If you’d like to see what options we can offer you (whether you are looking for true reclaimed products of faux reclaimed), give us a call! We’d be happy to talk you through our available stock!

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More and more companies are committing to reduce, recycle, and reuse by utilizing reclaimed wood whenever they can! Nothing is off limits when it come reclaimed which is why it is so unique. With everything from old wine crates to entire buildings there is quite an abundance of reclaimed wood to be salvaged in Colorado alone.

Today’s custom home builders are really showing off their creative side by finding some very innovative ways to use reclaimed wood throughout their homes.

Custom Home Builders: Garage Doors

In the past garage doors were not considered a decorative element to the outside of your home. Now a days, with available materials like reclaimed wood, this is not the case. Driving through custom home neighborhoods you will see that there are many types of garage door looks to choose from.

Reclaimed wood garage doors have become quite an eclectic addition to all types of houses.

Because reclaimed wood looks great with stone, brick, stucco, and other exterior materials it is a great choice to amp up any homes curb appeal.

From a sleek modern design to the rustic vibe of a barndoor look a reclaimed garage door is beautiful and will last for decades.

Custom Home Builders: Ceilings

Custom home builders are bringing a lot of attention to ceilings by using reclaimed wood. Often overlooked the ceiling of a room can really add to its ambiance.

The height, angle, and texture of a ceiling can drastically change the acoustics, lighting, and overall feel of a room. Reclaimed wood can be used with cathedral ceilings, flat horizontal ceilings, coffered ceilings, multi-level ceilings, and many more.

Just like with the exterior reclaimed wood can be mixed with many other materials for a dramatic effect and the same is true on the ceiling.

Custom Home Builders: Backsplash

Colorado custom home builders have captured mountain décor by using reclaimed wood as decorative accents like backsplash. Reclaimed wood paired with a granite countertop is extremely elegant while still giving a natural look and feel.

Custom Home Builders: Beams

Reclaimed wood beams are one of the mightiest items that you can put in your home! They can also be one of the most challenging.

Reclaimed wood beams can be installed on the ceiling or vertically from floor to ceiling. Either configuration really gives a majestic feel to living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens.

Custom Home Builders: Dramatic Covered Outdoor Living Spaces

We are not talking about a simple covered deck! These covered spaces have high rounded vaulted reclaimed wood ceilings, dramatic stone fireplaces, stone and/or brick pillars, and even custom bars that look like they should be indoors.

For a material that is hundred upon hundreds of years old worn by time and the elements, reclaimed wood is one of the most spectacular building materials available.

Even if you are not designing a new home build you can add many of these features to your existing home for some theatrical effect.

If you love reclaimed wood and want to incorporate it into your home, it can be intimidating. However, reclaimed wood is so versatile and goes with really ANY décor you cant go wrong!

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Wood, plywood, and plastic are the most common materials used to remodel closets because of their durability and resistance to bending.

If you are considering a closet revamp, follow one of the current design movements and use reclaimed wood!

Although your closet it not usually visible to others or a room that people ask to see, it is one of the most important rooms in your home. A closet that is beautiful and well put together can be visible without embarrassment to the homeowner. Reclaimed wood is not only the strongest type of wood you can get but will make the interior of your closet pop!

There are many elements to a closet that you can use reclaimed wood for. Here are some ideas:

• Armories: Everyone loves the classic sleek look of a well -designed armoire. A traditional armoire can be used as a free -standing closet or built in on the inside of a walk- in closet for a more luxurious feel. When you build an armoire out of reclaimed wood you can rest assured that it will be able to withstand wear and tear. Reclaimed wont bend or crack so it won’t falter when drawers are opened and closed thousands of times a day.
• Shelving and Drawers: By strategically designing shelving and drawers you can more than double the amount of storage space in your closet. By pairing the reclaimed wood with decorative hardware and piping you can achieve whatever style you are after from modern to industrial.
• Shoe Racks: Shoes are one of the things that can be the most difficult to store. They are bulky, come in difference sizes, and don’t organize neatly. Building shoe racks out of reclaimed wood can mask the disarray and make your closet feel neat and tidy.

Planning the Implementation of Reclaimed Lumber in Your Closet Renovation Ideas

Planning out a new closet design can feel like an impossible task. Knowing how to get the most of your closet space can be a challenging. No two closets are alike and one design wont work for everyone. Your new closet using reclaimed wood should be unique to you and your storage needs. No matter how amazing your reclaimed wood closet turns out, if it does not hold your clothes and other items efficiently it will not matter!

Here are some tips for planning your closet using reclaimed wood:

1. Sit down and make a list of exactly what you plan to store in the reclaimed wood closet that your designing. Is it just clothes? Shoes too? Undergarments and socks? Large and bulky coats? Any type of equipment?These questions are important so that you make sure you incorporate the proper reclaimed wood shelving, nitches, and drawers to house it all.
2. Pants, Scarves, and Long Coats – When it comes to storing these items are you partial to a single or double bar configuration. Since reclaimed wood is so durable it can hold a lot of weight so either is an option. Many people do not like to fold pants or have coats and scarves blocking the view of lower storage spaces.
3. Jewelry, Belts, and Hand Bags – If you are going to store these items in your reclaimed wood closet you will need to plan out special space for them to stay organized. By adding decorate hooks to the reclaimed wood wall you can store hand bags, belts, and jewelry in a boutique type manner making them visible and easy to reach.
4. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting – This is an importance element to your reclaimed wood closet that is often overlooked until the last minute. Despite how well planned out your reclaimed wood closet is, if it is not brightly lit you still won’t be able to find anything! Consider the overhead lighting as well as lighting in drawers and shelves.

Planning your newly renovated reclaimed wood closet can be fun! When it is done you will appreciate its value on a daily basis! Your belongings will take on a whole new meaning when the are displayed in an elegant and sophisticated manner! Start the renovation of your new reclaimed wood closet today!

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So What Is the Cost of Reclaimed Wood?

One of the most popular uses for reclaimed wood is flooring! At a minimum you will find that reclaimed wood flooring averages around $8 – $12 a square foot. In certain cases, the maximum cost can reach prices as high as $20 – $40 a square foot!

What many homeowners fail to consider are labor costs for installation. You can choose to use a general handyman or there is actual flooring specialist available just for install. Obviously, this choice will cost a bit more.

There are a few other things that will affect the final cost of your reclaimed wood flooring:

• Does the shape of the space that you are having the reclaimed wood installed in oddly shaped and going to require a lot of customized cutting? Not only will this require that you purchase more material up front, but it will tack on additional charges to your labor costs as well.
• Does the subfloor in the area of installation need to be replaced or can the reclaimed wood be put directly on top of it?
• Throughout the project depending on any specific problems that come up you may have to purchase additional materials and/or supplies like nails, hardware, sandpaper, etc.

Categories and Cost of Reclaimed Wood

Aside from all of the above considerations that may affect the final price of a new reclaimed wood floor, you need to take into account what category of reclaimed you are planning on using.

Once you begin looking into reclaimed wood you will find that there is quite a variety. As most of us know, most reclaimed wood is collected from abandoned buildings that are usually centuries old.

The most common and readily available types of reclaimed wood flooring is oak, maple, cherry, pine, chestnut, and hickory. Typically, pine, oak, and maple will have lower price points because they are found in abundance. However, chestnut, cherry, and hickory tend to be more expensive because they are more limited in availability.

The thing to remember is that using any of the above types will be well worth the price. Reclaimed wood is long lasting, durable, and is timeless when it comes to décor so it will be with you for the long haul. Therefore, the investment is worth it!

The Cost of Reclaimed Wood, and the Benefits of Reclaimed Wood for Flooring

When it comes to interior décor and design everyone seems to always be in competition to “one up” their friends and family. Using reclaimed wood for flooring or for any other building project will ensure that you will have a very unique and unmatchable final product.

Reclaimed wood can be used to keep rustic charm or to add some character to a new home or renovation. It can easily be used as an architectural accent to almost any décor theme.

All reclaimed wood is old and filled with history but each and every structure it comes from is one of a kind which makes it rare in and of itself. This is something that no new man- made product can boast.

Final Considerations Regarding the Cost of Reclaimed Wood

The visual characteristics of any piece of reclaimed wood is as individual as its history. Reclaimed wood will not provide clean lines or uniform flow. Because measurements go out the window when it comes to reclaimed wood do not expect perfection. Reclaimed wood is adorned with varying widths and lengths, dents, cracks, notches, scratches, divots, and holes so what you see is what you get!

REMEMBER! These imperfections DO NOT take away from the structural integrity of any piece of reclaimed wood. It is some of the most dense and durable lumber on the planet. Interested in picking up some reclaimed lumber for your next project? Give us a call! We would be happy to help you pick out the perfect product for your job.

The post What Really Is the Cost of Reclaimed Wood? appeared first on Rocky Mountain Reclaimed.

Although wineries are in essence industrial sites, they have to find a balance in their design between the warehouse feel and the interior luxury of the visitor’s quarters. Visitors want to experience and take in the wine making process, but they also want to relax and have a sophisticated tasting experience.

How Wineries are Going Green

Many wineries that are in this phase of reinventing themselves are finding that by using reclaimed wood they can get the ambiance they are hoping for. The look and feel of reclaimed wood as paneling, furniture, accent décor, cabinetry, bars, and mantels offer winery visitors a full wine country experience with a touch of class. Usually the wineries will use reclaimed wood that is specific to the region to really capture the process of the wine production from land to bottle.

By incorporating architectural characteristics from within a region and complimenting it with modern day touches using reclaimed wood, these new wineries are breath taking.

Just like private homeowners, commercial businesses are finding that using reclaimed wood is not only good for the environment because it is a sustainable material it also offers a unique flare to any décor. Not to mention the historical value of reclaimed wood cannot be found in any other product on the market.

These efforts using reclaimed wood are definitely enhancing the visitor experience. Wineries are not just focusing on scheduled wine tastings but are offering a place that people can come and go, eat and relax amid the beautiful landscape of their locations and the historical luxury of the reclaimed wood décor.

Wineries are Going Green, and So Can You!

If you are a wine connoisseur and love the look of reclaimed wood, you can bring the essence of the wine country into your own home. Reclaimed wood can be used to build wine racks mounted on walls, free standing wine cabinets, wine bars, and wine carts. The options are limitless. Take some time to browse through photos of these items to get ideas of your own.

If you are intrigued by this reclaimed wood décor and want to take these ideas to the next level… considering this! Many of today’s larger wineries are switching from wood barrels to stainless steel barrels because it gives wine makers more control over taste and production. These well- known wineries like Sutter Homes are deconstructing their thousands of barrels to offer the reclaimed wood to the public. This reclaimed wood is extraordinary because it is adorned the smell and actual color of the very wine that it held.

This inventory of reclaimed wood is limited and is melded with generations of history. You can use this reclaimed wood stained side out to capture the authenticity of the actual wine making process or polish it down.

Whether your reclaimed wood is from an actual winery or from other buildings from centuries ago, the charm and elegance that you will get using this material is timeless and priceless.

The post Wineries Are Going Green With Reclaimed Wood appeared first on Rocky Mountain Reclaimed.

The allure of reclaimed lumber stems from the fact that the wood has sustained decades of natural abuse creating its antiquated look. Although there is faux reclaimed wood the distinct look of this authentic lumber cannot be manufactured.

Since reclaimed wood has a colorful history and has most likely traveled thousands and thousands of miles to make it to your home, there are couple things to consider to make the most of your reclaimed wood experience.

Clean It Your Reclaimed Wood!

Reclaimed wood has been subjected to dirt, grime, debris, the elements, animals, and insects. Not to mention it may have also been exposed to unwanted substances and chemicals. Therefore, before you bring it in your home wash and wipe it down.

You can start by brushing it down with a nylon bristle brush to knock away particles and debris. Then follow this up with a quick hose down of air and/or water.

Metal Scraps in Reclaimed Wood

Because reclaimed wood came from barns, mills, and other buildings it will most likely have screws, nails, and other remnants of metal embedded in it.

Don’t fret, once these are removed, they often leave behind discoloration at the sight of the hole adding additional rustic character to your already beautiful reclaimed wood.

Bugs Love Reclaimed Wood

Over the years many insects large and small found refuge inside your reclaimed lumber. There are many preventative tactics that your reclaimed wood went through to stop these insects, but some can still remain.

For instance, a large amount of reclaimed wood is kiln dried which kills any living organisms inside the wood. This is a process by which the wood is dried out using intense heat for several hours.

Also, once reclaimed wood is salvaged, if it is wrapped and palleted, any new infestation can be prevented.

It is best to use these techniques along with the cleaning tips to tend to the problem instead of using pesticides which can be harmful to you, your children, and pets.

Reclaimed Wood is Rough

It is important to inspect all sides of every piece of your reclaimed lumberbefore you start working with it. Because reclaimed wood was used straight from the forest, it can have sharp edges and large splinters that can cause injury to bare hands.

Since reclaimed wood is so compact and dense you will most likely have to use an electric sander to smooth these down or knock them off. Just do this in moderation though so that you so not disturb any of the rustic attractiveness.

When Building with Reclaimed Wood, Go With The Flow

Although you probably have some pretty specific plans for your reclaimed lumber, it is not going to fit perfectly into its designated space. Reclaimed wood is not manufactured or milled so its size and shape can be very random. Reclaimed wood is warped, crooked, and will most likely not have consistent thickness throughout the same piece of wood.

This can make installation and use challenging but with patience and minor tweaks it can be done.

Taking the time to complete these simple steps you will enhance the outcome of whatever project you are completing!

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