Reclaimed wood and faux reclaimed wood have gained popularity over the years, and for good reason.
Homeowners love the distinct look and unique design elements of these two beautiful Colorado lumber options. Whether you are looking to install a wood ceiling inside your home or replace siding on the outside, both types of wood, ,used in a variety of settings, offer different benefits.
Trying to determine the best option for your home can be a difficult decision, so let’s explore the difference between reclaimed wood and faux reclaimed wood, more specifically, Montana Ghostwood.
What is Reclaimed Wood?
Reclaimed wood is aged wood that is being repurposed or “upcycled” for a new use. It is old wood retrieved from its original application – old buildings, retired ships, horse fences, warehouses, distilleries, factories – and given new life.
Reclaimed wood has a story and history that gives it character and charm. Because it is sourced from various places, the character of the wood cannot be replicated. Modern wood tends to have a uniformed look, while reclaimed wood is weathered and contains imperfections due to weathering and natural wear and tear.
Reclaimed wood is known for its durability and strength. Why so? Reclaimed wood often comes from old-growth wood. What is old-growth wood? Old-growth wood comes from trees that grew to full maturity in an environment where they could mature slowly. When a tree is given decades or even centuries to grow, the fibers become denser.
In addition, old-growth wood is considered more stable than newly-harvested wood. When trees are given time to grow, they are exposed to different weather extremes, humidity levels, and changes in climate. These different weather conditions change the dynamics of the wood, allowing it to contract and expand for years upon years. This makes reclaimed wood (that was sourced from old-growth wood) uniquely strong compared to fresh timber used today.
If you are passionate about conservation, reclaimed wood is for you. Supporters of reclaimed wood feel it preserves the environment and saves our countryside and forests. When you use reclaimed wood, you decrease the need for newly-harvested wood.
What is Faux Reclaimed Wood?
Faux wood is a manufactured wood. Faux reclaimed wood is a type of wood that resembles the rustic look of authentic reclaimed wood.
In other words, faux reclaimed wood provides the visual appearance and characteristics of reclaimed wood, but it is considered a new wood product. Montana Ghostwood is a popular reclaimed wood alternative that is also known as an eco-conscious product for multiple reasons.
What Makes Montana Ghostwood Unique?
Created using a proprietary, multi-step process, the majority of the timber used to create Montana Ghostwood products comes from dead standing timber, such as trees killed in forest fires or beetles. While being harvested, Montana Ghostwood makes ethical logging practices a priority, which is why they use lumber that comes from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified sawmills.
Montana Ghostwood strives to be a no-waste company. 100% of their by-products are recycled. Once milling is complete, all the shavings and chips are kiln dried and dust vacuumed. Nothing goes to waste. From there, they are bagged within recycled plastic bags and sold to local farms or ranches to be used as bedding and compost.
Furthermore, Montana Ghostwood produces very little waste during product installation. It can be cut to the exact sizes required, which not only provides precision that customers love, but results in limited waste as well.
To further demonstrate their “green” approach to creating products, Montana Ghostwood uses an eco-friendly finish. It allows their products to weather as reclaimed wood would. When exposed to UV light, inclement weather, or moisture, the wood continues to age.
Also like reclaimed wood, Montana Ghostwood can change in color over time. In fact, it is designed to change color, and the degree of change depends upon climate and location. To minimize the possibility of drastic color changes, homeowners can choose to apply a UV-inhibiting clear or tinted topcoat to their Montana Ghostwood.
Montana Ghostwood comes in four different colors – Bannack Brown, Silver City, Ruby River, and Blackfoot. Bannack Brown is the original color of Montana Ghostwood. This brown-toned color is inspired by the beautiful brown buildings made of reclaimed patina throughout the Bannack State Park area.
Silver City, the second color developed for Montana Ghostwood, received its inspiration from the silver and gray barn wood structures around Butte, Montana, more specifically from Silver Bow County. The third and fourth color lines are named after rivers in Montana. Ruby River Montana Ghostwood is named after the Ruby River that flows through Montana down to the Ruby Reservoir, and the Blackfoot color after the Blackfoot River.
Is Faux Reclaimed Wood Right For You?
As similar as reclaimed wood and faux reclaimed wood appear to be, there is a significant price difference. For many homeowners, faux reclaimed wood is an affordable option when on a tight budget. Reclaimed wood can be quite expensive, especially for larger projects.
For homeowners that are undecided whether to go with Colorado reclaimed wood or an alternative like Montana Ghostwood, it is best to educate yourself about your possibilities. Education is power. The more you know about either option, the more confident you can be to make the right selection for your home.
