--- title: Reclaimed Wood Benefits | Sustainable Design Options | Urban Evolutions description: Explore the benefits of reclaimed wood, from carbon storage to unique design possibilities, as we promote sustainable building practices and timeless aesthetics for your next project. --- # Reclaimed Wood: Climate Impact and Design Possibilities Beyond the Barn ## Reclaimed wood is an essential part of a healthy and sustainable built environment. Reclaimed wood stores carbon, reduces emissions, and diverts waste from landfills. Discover why it's the most climate-friendly wood source that exists - and encompasses far more than simply "barn wood". --- ### Certifications ![FSC PROMOTIONAL PANEL](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/FSC%20PROMOTIONAL%20PANEL.png) ![LEED-320x202](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/logos/LEED-320x202.jpg) ![CLEAN AIR CERTIFICATION - RGB](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/CLEAN%20AIR%20CERTIFICATION%20-%20RGB.jpg) ![CMF LOGO - DARK](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/CMF%20LOGO%20-%20DARK.png) ![RED LIST FREE LOGO](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/RED%20LIST%20FREE%20LOGO.png) ![usgbc-membership-logo_250px-320x202](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/logos/usgbc-membership-logo_250px-320x202.jpg) ![UWN-WI-1](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/logos/UWN-WI-1.jpg) ![Mindful-Materials-Logo](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/logos/Mindful-Materials-Logo.jpg) ![WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS - RGB](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/WOMEN%20OWNED%20BUSINESS%20-%20RGB.png) ![20100317_us_oil105](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/images/20100317_us_oil105.webp "20100317_us_oil105") # Why Reclaimed Wood? When our teams head out to survey a barn, they look at the trees as they approach the property – typically, these are the species the farmer would have used to build the barn. For most of history, buildings were constructed in a similar fashion, from the materials close at hand. Only in the last century did structures begin to lose connection to local and regional resources. Since wood is the second-largest component of the construction & demolition waste stream, we see a responsibility to continue this tradition by salvaging these quality materials and extending their life and benefits. ## Benefits of Reclaimed Reclaimed Reclaimed Wood ![Mitigation](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/icons/Environmental.svg) ### Carbon Storage Reclaimed wood stores carbon that was absorbed for decades—sometimes centuries—ago. By diverting wood from landfills and reducing the need for new timber harvesting, this material plays a critical role in lowering the embodied carbon of today’s buildings. ![ScalableSolutions](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/icons/ScalableSolutions.svg) ### Old Growth Lumber Quality Since reclaimed wood was originally harvested from forests that had grown for hundreds of years, it offers greater strength and stability than lumber from modern commercial forests. Old-growth wood has almost ten times the number of growth rings per inch as new lumber, making it denser and more resistant to rot and decay. ![SustainableSourcing](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/icons/SustainableSourcing.svg) ### More Than Just Barnwood Reclaimed wood offers far more than a traditional rustic aesthetic. Through our experienced methods of sorting, remanufacturing, and refinishing, we provide a wide range of finishes — from dramatic, rustic textures to smooth, refined tones and subtle character. ![Mitigation](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/icons/Environmental.svg) ### Carbon Storage Reclaimed wood stores carbon that was absorbed for decades—sometimes centuries—ago. By diverting wood from landfills and reducing the need for new timber harvesting, this material plays a critical role in lowering the embodied carbon of today’s buildings. ![ScalableSolutions](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/icons/ScalableSolutions.svg) ### Old Growth Lumber Quality Since reclaimed wood was originally harvested from forests that had grown for hundreds of years, it offers greater strength and stability than lumber from modern commercial forests. Old-growth wood has almost ten times the number of growth rings per inch as new lumber, making it denser and more resistant to rot and decay. ![SustainableSourcing](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/icons/SustainableSourcing.svg) ### More Than Just Barnwood Reclaimed wood offers far more than a traditional rustic aesthetic. Through our experienced methods of sorting, remanufacturing, and refinishing, we provide a wide range of finishes — from dramatic, rustic textures to smooth, refined tones and subtle character. ## Design Inspiration from the Past and Present [ ![Custom Fixtures with Gandola_web (1)](https://urbanevolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Custom%20Fixtures%20with%20Gandola_web%20(1).webp?width=80&name=Custom%20Fixtures%20with%20Gandola_web%20(1).webp) ### Spice House ](https://urbanevolutions.com/portfolio-items/the-spice-house-retail-fixtures-flooring-chicago-il-2?hsLang=en) [ ![US Venture Cropped reception area WEB sm](https://urbanevolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/US%20Venture%20Cropped%20reception%20area%20WEB%20sm.webp?width=80&name=US%20Venture%20Cropped%20reception%20area%20WEB%20sm.webp) ### US Venture ](https://urbanevolutions.com/portfolio-items/us-venture-corporate-headquarters-combined-locks-wi-2?hsLang=en) [ ![LR - Wide angle Lake Mich retreat house WEB small](https://urbanevolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LR%20-%20Wide%20angle%20Lake%20Mich%20retreat%20house%20WEB%20small.webp?width=80&name=LR%20-%20Wide%20angle%20Lake%20Mich%20retreat%20house%20WEB%20small.webp) ### Michigan Retreat ](https://urbanevolutions.com/portfolio-items/contemporary-family-retreat-lake-michigan?hsLang=en) ## Let’s create something *beautiful* together Ready to start your next project? Contact us today to learn how we can bring your vision to life. [![UrbanEvolutionsWhite](https://urbanevolutions.com/hubfs/website/pages/logos/UrbanEvolutionsWhite.svg "UrbanEvolutionsWhite")](https://urbanevolutions.com/?hsLang=en) [Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.instagram.com/urbanevolutions) [Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/963984) **OFFICE** 2401 W. COLLEGE AVE. APPLETON, WI 54914 920.380.4149 MON-THUR 7AM – 4:30PM FRI 7AM – 11AM **RETAIL** 2405 W. COLLEGE AVE. APPLETON, WI 54914 920.257.5900 MON-SAT 10AM – 5PM SUN 11AM – 4PM