Reclaimed vs. Rough Cut

One of the most popular styles right now is the look of reclaimed barnboard dining tables, TV stands, coffee tables, and bedroom sets.  The first reason these pieces are so popular is that they have a lot of character as they show the saw marks, natural wear, nail holes and in some cases the nails themselves.  Families with young children also like them because any dents, scratches or bang marks simply blend in to the natural character of the piece.

Furniture made from reclaimed wood is more expensive then that made from new boards because of the process required to make each piece.  First, the wood must be sourced and carefully selected as not all old boards are still suitable for making furniture.  Next, the wood must be kiln dried in an air tight room to dry the wood and kill any bugs and mico-organisms inside the reclaimed lumber.  After the lumber has been kiln dried, it needs to be passed over by a metal detector as one nail can cause very costly damage to a craftsman’s machinery.  Once these steps have been completed, the builder can then begin the process of sketching, rough milling, dimensioned and assembled.  These extra steps contribute to the higher price tag of the furniture.

At Fine Oak Things, we sell furniture made from reclaimed wood and pieces made from rough cut pine or wormy maple, which gives the same look without the higher price tag.  Rough cut woods show the saw marks along the boards and can then be distressed so that any dings or scratches just add to the character of the piece.  Each piece can be custom styled, sized and stained to fit with your home or business, and best of all doesn’t come with a higher price tag.  Another benefit of the rough cut furniture is that it can seamlessly blend with both modern and traditional pieces to give an eclectic style that is personal to each household or business.

We have several pictures of rough cut furniture in our galleries, but to truly appreciate the look and the quality of handcrafted furniture, visit our showroom.