Viridian Wood Products

Reclaimed Veneer Panels vs. Solid Wood: Pros and Cons of Each

Reclaimed wood wall panels are often used to warm a room and give the area a luxurious feel. What many people don’t realize, however, is that wood paneling can be used for many other things besides covering up the walls. For example, 4×8 veneer architectural panels are beloved by architects and cabinetmakers for use in cabinetry and casework. The following is a look at the pros and cons of using reclaimed wood panels instead of solid wood. What Are Reclaimed Wood Veneer Panels? Wood veneers consist of a thin layer of wood pressed on top of an inexpensive filler material, such as plywood or particleboard. At Viridian, our 4×8 veneer architectural panels incorporate FCS certified reclaimed wood – such as old-growth redwood made from wine barrels; Oregon black walnut salvaged in Portland; or old-growth Douglas fir from demolished warehouses –

Decorating Your Reclaimed Wood Paneling for the Holidays

Wood paneling adds a warm, inviting glow to any room. Reclaimed wood paneling offers the added glow that comes with knowing you’re helping to save the planet. But even this warmth isn’t quite enough for the holiday season. Below, we’ve listed methods for decorating your recycled timber paneling without damaging it. Add festive lights. When installing reclaimed wood paneling, many contractors leave a picture rail around the ceiling. If this is the situation above your wood paneling, it will be especially easy to hang lighting. String lights work well – just hang them directly from the picture rail using brass or metal hooks. Net lights might also work well, depending on how you place them. For example, if you want to light up an entire accent wall, net lights will illuminate a large area without being too overpowering. Finally, if

Fixer-Upper: Using Reclaimed Wood to Repair Your Damaged Floors

If your wood floors have been in your home for several years, you might be noticing wear and tear from traffic, children, water exposure and more. Scratches, gouges and gaps between the boards in your wood floors can be frustrating for homeowners. If your wood flooring has sustained too much damage to cover with an area rug, it may be time to undertake a repair job. Repairing wood floors can be difficult and costly. There are ways, however, to mitigate the expense, such as using reclaimed wood to replace damaged boards. High-quality reclaimed timber can come from a wide variety of sources and is often cheaper to acquire than virgin flooring. Not only can recycled lumber save you money on repairing your wood floors, but it’s healthier for the environment; reclaimed wood both helps reduce deforestation and prevents usable wood

Eco-Friendly Bedroom Materials? Watch our Reclaimed Wood Floors on DIY Network’s House Crashers

Nearly a third of your life is spent in the bedroom, so it’s essential to create an environment that’s comfortable, soothing and nourishing for your soul. Using recycled timber is one way to ensure your sleeping chamber is a healthy place – for the environment as well as for your body. In a recent episode of House Crashers, the DIY Network crew replaced one Portland homeowner’s dirty bedroom carpeting with our Jakarta Market Blend – Rustic reclaimed wood flooring, made from trans-Pacific shipping crates. The homeowner loved our eco-friendly reclaimed wood floors, which added a wealth of character to her bedroom retreat. The episode, which first aired Oct. 14, will rerun throughout December in case you missed it the first time. Tune in at 9 a.m. Dec. 3, or visit the House Crashers website for more air times. In the

How to Make Your Home or Office Unique with Reclaimed Wood Paneling

Reclaimed wood paneling is automatically unique, simply by dint of being outside the typical virgin wood supply chain. Every recycled product has its own special story, and reclaimed wood panels are no exception. Most companies that specialize in reclaimed wood are happy to relate the life stories of their products. From old barns to disassembled gymnasiums, repurposed wood paneling typically has a fascinating origin. However, property owners can get even more creative with reclaimed wood panels by taking advantage of the variety of styles offered by those who construct 4×8 veneer architectural panels and other reclaimed wood products. Below, we suggest a few methods for putting your own personal touch on reclaimed wood paneling. Choose a unique primary source. Shipping crates, wine casks, gymnasium bleachers – all of these items may be refurbished into reclaimed wood products. The first way

The Eco-Benefits of Using Green 4×8 Veneer Panels

Wood paneling, or veneers, use less wood to make furniture and fixtures than a similar item made with solid wood. Moreover, there are several items you cannot make unless you use 4×8 veneer architectural panels, which do not expand or contract with humidity and temperature changes. If you are trying to make your home or office more environmentally friendly, consider using veneer panels, such as reclaimed wood paneling, made from recycled wood, which are as strong and aesthetically pleasing as those made from virgin wood. The benefits of using green 4×8 veneer panels include: Quick installation. Because 4×8 veneer architectural panels are large, they are quick to install. They can be securely hung on cleats making them removable should you need access behind the panel for any reason. Solid surface. Reclaimed wood paneling and other types of veneers are made

How to Protect your Reclaimed Wood Floors during the Holiday Season

Just like floors made from virgin wood, reclaimed wood floors require special maintenance and care during the holiday season. While this type of floor is made from reclaimed lumber that was once used for another purpose, properly caring for it will make it indistinguishable from traditional wood flooring. Despite the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, with friends and family passing in and out of your home – along with endless pairs of wet shoes and glasses of holiday spirits – protecting your reclaimed wood flooring is not as difficult as it may seem. No-Shoes Policy Water and snow on shoes can cause reclaimed wood flooring to become slippery, and dirty shoes can create scratches. Furthermore, all of the above can remove the finish on your reclaimed lumber and shorten the life of your floor. In addition to helping

How to Make Holiday Decorations out of Reclaimed Wood

Decking the halls for the holidays is more fun if you make your own decorations instead of purchasing store-bought ones. Not only will you end up with a warm, cheerful environment that’s unique to you, but you’ll help the environment by refusing to purchase unnecessary products that will ultimately end up in landfills. Here are a few holiday decorations you can make using reclaimed wood: Ornaments. With some reclaimed wood and a scroll saw or jigsaw, you can make one-of-a-kind recycled lumber ornaments to hang on your tree. Cut out holiday shapes or whatever else your imagination comes up with. Paint them, decorate them or simply sand them until the beauty of the wood shows through. Advent calendar. Celebrate the coming of Christmas all month long with an advent calendar made of reclaimed timber. Sand and paint or stain a

Homemade Gift Ideas with Reclaimed Wood

If you’re looking for a way to bypass the usual holiday commercialism and give more meaningful gifts this year, why not craft your own gifts out of reclaimed wood? Using recycled lumber adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness to your hand-made gifts because it’s eco-friendly and helps keep used wood out of landfills. Reclaimed timber for your DIY gifts can come from a variety of sources, from old fencing materials to shipping pallets to that shabby piece of furniture you’ve been meaning to get rid of. You may even be able to find wood for repurposing just by walking around; people often leave unwanted furniture or materials by the sidewalk. If making your own gifts out of reclaimed wood appeals to you, here are a few easy suggestions – be sure to include a card that tells the story of

Why Reclaimed Wood Products Make Great Gifts

In today’s consumer marketplace, holiday gift-giving has been reduced to little more than a transaction. The people on your list tell you what they want, and you go out and buy it for them, checking off items as if you were grocery shopping. With wish lists dominated by Wiis, iPods and power tools, it seems as though few people put much thoughtfulness into their holiday shopping anymore. We’d like to propose an alternative. Instead of giving your loved ones the latest gadget or DVD, give gifts that speak to their personalities and values, such as reclaimed wood products. Recycled timber can be used to make a wide range of gift ideas, from toys to serving ware and from picture frames to coasters. Here are three reasons why items crafted from recycled lumber make great holiday gifts: 1. Reclaimed wood has