Reclaimed Wood

HOW SUSTAINABLE ARE
RECLAIMED BUILDING
MATERIALS?

WHAT IS RECLAIMED WOOD?
“Reclaimed wood” means wood
that has been dismantled or taken
from previous buildings
(warehouses, older homes, barns,
etc.) for re-use in new construction
projects.
“Reclaimed wood” allows for points
in green building practices and
certification.

RECLAIMED GREEN POINTS:
LEED and LEED-H
LEED-H is administered by the USGBC.
Materials Resources 2.2 (MR 2.2 - .05 points per component)
NAHB GREEN
National Association of Home Builders Green Certification program.
Section 603.2: The total material and labor cost of salvaged
materials is equal to or exceeds 1% of the total construction
cost. (3 points)
Section 608.1 Indigenous Materials ( potential 10 points)
Section 603.1 Reuse of existing building (potential 12 points)

RECLAIMED WOOD = GREEN:
Should choose reclaimed wood within green home to
achieve points – makes sense.
Economical green choice – considering advanced
framing and FSC wood are key alternatives in materials
resource for green points.
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RECLAIM WOOD - REGIONAL AREA
Unique opportunity for local area to
achieve reclaim wood points in green
building.
If wood can be traced to fallen hurricane
trees – points can be considered as
reclaimed.
Katrina & Gustav trees from green waste
sites can be used. Must document.

RECLAIMED WOOD USES:
Flooring, beams, cabinets, ceiling joist/rafter,
doors, and architectural features.

DOORS AND CABINETS:

LEAD PAINT – REFINISHING:
•EPA and DEQ regulate lead paint and its
waste disposal. New rules regarding OSHA
and safety requirements for re-finishing
wood. Replaning requires capture of
materials for disposal. In general, the rule
is anything older than 1978 could be leadbased.
•Use a certified vendor that re-finishes
wood and disposes of waste as required.
Potential liability issues.

Reclaim Wood Finishing:
Use environmentally-friendly paint and varnish
that is low-VOC.
Use organic products like Tung Oil that provide
natural finishes and are green products.

RECLAIM VENDORS:
CIRCA (Government St. in Baton
Rouge)
Antique Woods in Sunset, LA
(www.antiquewoodsla.com)
Builders Antique Menagerie Co.
7925 Tom Drive Baton Rouge
Tiger Antique Woods
12539 S Choctaw Dr Baton Rouge
What It’s Worth
11550 N Harrells Ferry Baton Rouge

NETWORKS AND WEBSITES:

ISSUES WITH RECLAIMED WOOD:
ADVANTAGES
Structures are preserved
Landfilling of demolition waste is
avoided
Structure could be used for affordable
housing or other public purposes
Structure could be sold and funds used
to reduce project costs
Demolition costs are saved

RECLAIMED WOOD:
DISADVANTAGES
Sometimes - higher costs
Structure must be in sound condition
Find vendors to accept or deconstruct
the home
Find wood refinishers in local area
Tracking the waste-stream

CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION:
Construction and demolition landfill (C&D Landfill)
materials consists of the debris generated during
the construction, renovation, and demolition of
buildings, roads, and bridges.
C&D Landfills account for an estimated 22% of
solid waste generated

RECLAIM SOLUTIONS:
Code requirements:
Require all demolition permits to the
“best-extent possible” have a deconstruction
crew view the site for salvage material review.
Limit waste landfilling to certain materials.
Require recycling for demolition projects or add
higher fees to landfilling.

RECLAIMED WOOD FUTURE:
Create better networks of
supplies for builders.
Encourage deconstruction
through code requirements.
Wood refinishing as a green
job.
Establish incentives for
deconstruction crews and
non-profit groups for storage
of materials.

Reclaimed Wood – Unique:
Reclaim wood is a unique one-of-a-kind
wood that adds character to a home.
Can find Longleaf pine and exotic woods that
are hard-to-find or extremely expensive.
Reclaimed wood is special – only material that
can last for generations and maintain its beauty
and be re-finished over and over again.

RECLAIM WOOD BENEFITS:
From this OLD HOUSE to this NEW HOUSE

QUESTIONS?

Diane T. Baum, LEED AP BD+C
NAHB Accredited Green Verifier
Energy Rater
Certified Stormwater Inspector
www.GreenBuilder360.com
www.DiscountPermit.com
diane@greenbuilder360.com
Phone: 225-268-1477