The Earth’s forests are disappearing at an alarming rate, yet wood remains plentiful – often outlasting not only the trees it came from but the structures it was used to build. As public awareness has heightened around the problems caused by deforestation, some manufacturers have stopped looking to trees for lumber and are opting instead to harvest it from abandoned buildings, shipyards and other structures.

An unfortunate reality in today’s global market is that wood materials are often discarded long before their time is up, providing salvaging companies the opportunity to reclaim these materials and repurpose them into new products. There are many available sources for recycled timbers – the best ones offer durable, high-quality wood in large volumes. Here’s a look at the top five sources for reclaimed wood in the Pacific Northwest:

1. Shipyards

When it comes to reclaiming wood, the shipyards of port cities are veritable gold mines. They regularly yield large volumes of strong, durable recycled timbers from shipping crates that are dismantled upon arrival and discarded as so much refuse.

When companies send large shipments to the United States, they frequently pack the cargo in crates made of local wood. Because the crates must be able to withstand punishing conditions during a long voyage over rough seas, the wood used is typically hard and durable – the heavier the cargo, the stronger the wood.

The best part about picking up FSC certified reclaimed wood from shipyards is that you can find a variety of exotic woods, such as Asian hardwoods or oak from Europe. With the popularity of exotic hardwoods on the rise, these recycled timbers allow consumers to enjoy the benefits of imported wood at a lower cost, and without contributing to deforestation or the exploitation of indigenous communities.

2. Barns

One of the most common sources of FSC certified reclaimed wood in the United States is the plethora of long-unused barns throughout the country. During the early part of the 19^th century, barns were built from a variety of woods, such as Douglas fir, antique oak, hickory, chestnut and elm.

Over the decades, as the majority of the country shifted away from agriculture, many of these old barns have fallen out of use and into disrepair – or have collapsed entirely. Yet many of them contain an abundance of wood that still has plenty of life left. For example, the hand-hewn beams and recycled timbers of many older barns are popular among architects for their rustic appearance.

3. School Gymnasiums

When new school facilities are built, the decommissioned gymnasiums provide an abundance of recycled timbers. From vast wood floors to extra-strong glulam beams to rows of Doug fir bleachers, school gyms are filled with durable, quality wood for salvaging.

The wood floors of a school gym are built to last under the pounding of hundreds of feet every year. Museums, businesses and even homeowners have taken an interest in the unique character of reclaimed gymnasium wood flooring.

4. Factories and Warehouses

Factories open and close throughout the decades, and vast warehouses are built and then abandoned. Any industrialized city will have its share of factories and warehouses that have fallen from use due to changes in the economy and cityscape.

Not only are warehouses and factories plentiful sources for FSC certified wood, but those built during the Industrial Revolution contain woods that are hard to find in large volumes today. For some species, such as longleaf pine, reclamation from warehouses and other large structures is the only way to obtain significant quantities of the wood.

5. Wine Casks

At the turn of the century, California winemakers used high-quality, old-growth redwood to make wine casks. They chose the wood for its dense grain, which is long-lasting and doesn’t add any flavor to the wine. Recycled timbers from wine casks are stained with a warm, rosy glow.

Salvaging wood can be an arduous process, but it’s rewarding to find those hidden gems that can be revived and given new purpose instead of sent to an incinerator or landfill.