These days, homeowners are increasingly looking for eco-friendly, alternative décor solutions that will help increase the value of their homes. While the benefits of using reclaimed wooden flooring have been underrated in the past, more and more people are choosing reclaimed wood floors for their home renovations.

Here are four reasons why reclaimed wooden flooring increases curb appeal and helps sell your home:

1. Reclaimed wood is eco-friendly.

Green living has caught on big time in the Portland area and around the country. More and more homebuyers are looking for homes that will support their eco-friendly lifestyles without requiring them to put a lot of work into remodeling.

Reclaimed wooden flooring offers a number of benefits for the earth. Reclaimed wood is basically a form of recycled wood; old wood structures that have been torn down or abandoned often still include quality wood that would otherwise go to waste. By reusing it, you reduce the demand for new wood, and thus reduce the industrial pollution and energy consumption required to harvest, mill and transport it.

2. Reclaimed wood floors look great.

Reclaimed wood floors allow room for creativity and original style. You can mix and match old wood types, colors, shades and sizes, creating your own fashionable wood flooring that is entirely unique. By using reclaimed wood, you can also get prized tropical hardwood flooring without harming the environment.

Reclaimed wooden flooring is especially appealing to the eye, largely because it often comes from old-growth trees. Old-growth wood has unique surface patterns due to the aging process of quality timber when it is exposed to open air. This style is difficult to reproduce in new wood.

3. It has history.

When prospective homebuyers walk through your home, it’s often their emotional reaction that determines whether they will make an offer. The most effective way to make a sale is to find a way to endear your home to potential buyers – such as by revealing the wonderful history of your reclaimed wood floors.

Reclaimed wood often has a unique story behind it, whether it’s been used to ship heavy cargo across the Pacific Ocean or once held aging wine at a California winery. The past life of your flooring can become a charming selling point for your home.

4. Reclaimed wood is more durable.

Reclaimed wooden flooring is often of a higher quality than newly harvested wood. As a tree ages, it becomes stronger and more conditioned for its environment. That’s why the most durable wood comes from old-growth forests rather than new trees.

Additionally, reclaimed wood has already been exposed to the air for long periods of time and has already gone through most of the swelling and retracting common with new wood – making it a more stable material for your home’s flooring.