Good wood guide checklist

Step 2: Buy secondhand, recycled or reclaimed timber

A better environmental choice than buying new timber.

Did you know?

It's estimated that over 3,000 tonnes of reusable wood is thrown away or burnt from the demolition of old buildings in the UK every working day.

Find out what's available. Check what size fittings and fixtures are available from salvage yards before designing your DIY project. For example design your door openings to fit the size of a door easily available.
Find wood from older buildings. Usually better timber comes from older buildings. Victorian pine floors were made from very dense first growth forest timber, incomparable to the new wood sold these days.
Thoroughly inspect the goods. Check every detail. Take your builder with you if you're unsure. Pre-wrapped flooring may look great on the outside but contain mixed sizes making laying expensive. Ask to look inside packaging - good dealers prefer you to check beforehand.

BRE Centre for Waste and Recycling, Building Research Establishment, includes Materials Information Exchange and SMART assessment programmes.

SALVO! DIY 'Wants and Offers'

If you can't buy secondhand or reclaimed timber, then use locally produced Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber. Step 3 >