As reclaimed wood became increasingly popular over the years because of its gorgeous vintage look, rogue woodworkers have started to sell fake recycled wood.
When a market is going well as demand is growing for a particular product, competition arises. That’s normal, it’s called business. However, not all actors are playing a fair game and some are misleading their clients with new wood made look old.
But how to identify real reclaimed wood? Honestly, it is pretty difficult, especially if the contractor or architect isn’t that familiar with salvaged timber. Many do not want this topic to be addressed as this article pointed out. Try to google “Fake reclaimed wood” and most results will point toward how to actually do it rather than prevent its purchase! Let us give you a few pointers however:
Know your lumber: the more one knows about the timber they seek to purchase, the easier it will be to sport fool play. For example, old ironwood will have a yellowish color when freshly milled. However, after a couple of weeks it will take a greyish colour. We regularly spot ironwood sold as being recycled having a slight red aspect. We then have strong suspicions that this isn’t really old wood.
Nail holes & other aging marks: wood from previous constructions likely will have nail holes, and they will look very weathered, sometimes with rust around the edges, and will not be stained.
If the boards have already been processed, ask to walk around in the yard to look for a consistent supply of unprocessed wood.
Nail hole - hard to fake!
Ask for a FSC certification: this worldwide renowned label identifies genuine reclaimed wood or wood logged from sustainably managed forests. Since it is not dedicated to salvaged wood, there is still room for fool play, but chances are lowered.
Reputation: more often than not, the word goes out about who is a specialist of real reclaimed wood. Ask around!
Price: salvaged wood tends to be slightly more expensive than regular one. If the price is too low, it is likely that this isn’t genuine old wood.
Sellers are obviously at the core of the issue, but buyers are very much responsible too and there is two categories of people:
Those who want real reclaimed wood, appreciative of the history it possesses,
Those who only want the look, no matter the authenticity of what they buy.
Wood With Sailing History!