Is reclaimed wood strong? How to make furniture from scrap wood
Reclaimed wood can be as strong as new timber when it is chosen and checked well. Harith Ridzuan found this when he began building furniture from salvaged timber in 2012. His early projects showed that scrap wood could match newly milled timber in quality.
This guide explains what reclaimed wood is, what affects its strength, and the basic steps to make furniture from scrap wood.
What is reclaimed wood?
Reclaimed wood is timber that has been recovered from an earlier use. Common sources are pallets, crates, old furniture, building offcuts, factory scrap and timber from old wooden houses that are taken down. It is reused in a new piece instead of being thrown away. Harith cites research that almost 70% of construction waste in Malaysia is wood waste, so there is plenty to reuse. Read his article on sustainable wood sourcing.
Is reclaimed wood as strong as new timber?
Often yes, but it depends on the piece. Harith writes that the durability of reclaimed wood can be comparable to new wood, but its history and source are unknown, so it needs proper checks and processes. Strength comes from the type of wood, its age and its condition. Check each board for rot, cracks, insect damage and old nails or screws. Dry wood is more stable than damp wood. A board that passes these checks can do the same job as new timber.
What Harith learned from scrap wood
Harith's first experiments with reclaimed materials did not always go smoothly. Workers had to change their methods, and working with scrap took extra care and patience. Small projects with friends proved that the results could rival new timber. By 2017 his factory held stacks of salvaged timber from inside the business and from outside sites.
How to make furniture from scrap wood
- Source and sort. Collect pallets, offcuts or old boards. Sort them by size and condition.
- Clean and de-nail. Remove nails, screws, dirt and loose paint.
- Check the wood. Reject boards with rot or deep cracks. Make sure the wood is dry.
- Cut and plane. Cut to size and plane the faces so pieces fit together.
- Join. Use strong joints and fixings that suit the load the piece will carry.
- Finish. Sand and apply a finish that suits indoor use. See what makes furniture green.
- Test. Check the finished piece for stability and strength before use.
Safety first
Some reclaimed wood has been painted or treated with chemicals. Harith noticed the strong smell of treated adhesives and coatings in his early years in the family factory. Do not use wood of unknown treatment for tables, shelves or anything near food until you know what is on it.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Is reclaimed wood as strong as new timber?
It can be. Strength depends on the type of wood, its age and condition, and whether it is dry and free of rot, cracks and insect damage. Harith Ridzuan's early projects showed that checked scrap wood could rival newly milled timber.
How do you make furniture from scrap wood?
Source and sort the wood, clean and de-nail it, check it for damage and dryness, cut and plane it, join it with strong fixings, finish it for indoor use and test it. A step-by-step list is in this guide.
What is reclaimed wood?
Reclaimed wood is timber recovered from an earlier use, such as pallets, old furniture and offcuts, and reused in a new product.
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