Reclaimed or Reused Wood
Wood reclaimed through the careful dismantling of buildings or other structures (e.g., water tanks, bridges, fences, etc.) and remanufactured into new products. This category also includes adaptive reuse of timbers, flooring, doors, windows, etc.
Why this is Climate Smart
- Extends life of existing wood, preventing carbon release through burning or disposal.
- Avoids logging-related emissions and forest carbon loss.
- Reduces manufacturing emissions since the wood is already processed.
- Preserves cultural and architectural value by reusing historic materials.
- Often decreases transportation impacts as it is typically more locally sourced.
Traceability & Transparency
The extent to which reclaimed or reused wood can be traced to source varies depending on the circumstances: in some cases vendors will know exactly where materials come from and be able to provide evidence if asked; in other cases it can be impossible to get this information.
Pros
- Clear benefits for climate & forests: Extends the life of materials that would otherwise be landfilled or burned. May reduce pressure on natural forests, allowing them to continue storing carbon and supporting biodiversity. Offers possible cost savings from avoided disposal and can reduce transportation-related climate impacts when sourced locally.
- Storytelling: Present opportunities for compelling storytelling.
- Recognized green building material: Recognized under multiple green building rating systems, including LEED v5 and Living Building Challenge.
Cons & Resolutions
- Variable availability & quality: As with urban wood, the availability and quality of reclaimed and reused wood can vary widely depending on the geography and product.
- Resolution: Take advantage of reuse networks and directories. Use grading and QA protocols such as USRW Standards.
- Added costs: Reclaimed and reused wood can cost more than virgin material, and some products require additional processing such as kiln drying, milling, or testing.
- Resolution: Budget for these costs early in the project and look for offsets through avoided disposal fees, grants, or targeted use of materials that require less processing.
- Policy ambiguity: Local or regional policies may not clearly support reclaimed or reused wood.
- Resolution: Budget for these costs early in the project and look for offsets through avoided disposal fees, grants, or targeted use of materials that require less processing
- Code/regulatory hurdles: Depending on the product and application, there can be bureaucratic barriers to using reclaimed or reused wood.
- Resolution: Engage officials early and target non-structural uses of ungraded materials.
