More Green Home Ideas! We Love Reclaimed Wood Countertops!

Recently we’ve been covering a lot of green home ideas and how to create an environmentally friendly room here on our Metropolis Iron blog!  I recently had a friend that remodeled their kitchen and went for an amazing, green countertop option, reclaimed wood.  Though most kitchen counters are made from stone, ceramics or another type of solid slab, reclaimed wood counters can be a viable and attractive option.  By salvaging these materials and preventing them from ending up in the landfill-with the added benefit of preserving existing trees which would otherwise be cut down, you can add warmth and character to your kitchen design.

The best place to start your search for reclaimed wood countertops is the local architectural salvage yard.  Be prepared by bringing a sketch with the dimensions of wood that you require.  While you can’t expect to find the perfect piece, you can at least gauge whether combining two or more pieces of salvaged wood can adequately cover your counter area.  After all, the whole concept behind this look is to not achieve perfection.  Don’t shy away from wood slabs with uneven edges, embedded knots or sanded nail heads.

Wood can be salvaged from many sources and transformed into flooring or countertops.  Typical sources for reclaimed wood include old barns and other rustic structures, barrels and even scraps that have been sitting at the bottom of a river.  Time and wear impart character, and your reclaimed wood counter will truly be one of a kind.  Common salvaged wood specials include heart pine, white oak, red oak, chestnut and cypress.

Reclaimed wood countertops can tend to be on the bulkier side, so prior to installing, you will want to be sure to purchase a set of countertop support brackets in the correct size for your project.  Our corbels are designed with strength and durability in mind and come in an array of designs and finishes that complement many design situations.