Reclaimed barn wood

(9.5.2014) One of our goals is to be environmentally sensitive as we build. We've found that researching and finding alternative sources is more time consuming and difficult than we imagined. Case in point: I want to reuse old wood, wide boards, for flooring. We possibly need over 2000 square feet of installed wood.

 

We had thought we'd find several people locally who take down barns and maintain inventory of that size. Instead, we found only one person, who has been in business for about a year. His warehouse is in Lafayette, IN, more than a two hour drive. But we have time, so Wednesday we made a day of the trip. Here are snapshots (meaning that Susan took them) of Aaron's wood at Wabash Lumber (http://www.wabashlumber.com/).

 

This is the side of Aaron's office, made of scraps. He said it attracts more attention than pieces he put together more intentionally. Much of his wood is sold to crafts folks who make items from it, or to people who use it as siding for an accent wall.

A pile of various kinds of scrap wood

Barn rafters such as we hope to use. The unexpected problem? They need time in a kiln to dry the wood and kill any insects, nails taken out, milled to correct size. This process may take 2-3 months and we need 50% more wood to begin with than we need to finish. ouch, ouch, ouch

Possible decorative beams. Ideas where to use them? We have one from Wayne county, a family from Oak Grove, but we'd need to add other beams.

We had lunch at the local Indian buffet, Sharma Kitchen. Some of the entries I'd not had often before, including one with goat meat (on bone).

Fresh naan and hot chicken and onions were brought to the table--a delicious touch.

But the great news here in Goshen is that the local Indian restaurant opened today!

Dennis is checking other places for wood, perhaps including used gym floors, which would be perfect for the gathering room.