Growing lifestyle and architectural design trends involve activities, materials, and visual effects that evoke simpler times in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The stress and anxiety many are feeling today as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty make people yearn for looks and things that feel authentic and lasting.
In the architectural design and construction industries this is resulting in a renewed appreciation of reclaimed lumber and recycled building materials from barns, homes, and even industrial buildings that can be a century or more old. Reclaimed barn siding, posts and beams, wide plank flooring, used brick and other materials are being sought for both new construction and renovation projects.
In some cases, people are recreating the old-time design and feel with new construction instead of opting for trying to renovate an old structure that may be past its useful life. For example, a Mississippi couple looking to create a country retreat bought old farm land and built a beautiful gambrel-style, barn-inspired home with an open space floor plan that reflected the spacious look of an old barn but with the modern conveniences and comfort that would enable them to entertain guests and host large gatherings.
Their strategy was to embrace an all-natural approach and use reclaimed and locally-sourced materials such as Arkansas fieldstone in the fireplace and reclaimed wood for the interior walls. It was important to them that the home fit right in with the surroundings, which prompted them to even repurpose an old, weathered sign post they found on the property as a mantel for their fieldstone fireplace.
Here in New England there are countless old wooden buildings such as old homesteads, barns, and other out-buildings that are the source for much of the beautiful reclaimed wood we offer here at Bingham Lumber. Reclaimed wood offers many features and benefits that make it an attractive and unique building material. Much reclaimed wood such as old barn siding has been gently weathered and features unique coloring, fascinating knotholes and wear patterns, insect markings, and old nail holes that add character and charm to the wood. In fact, the wood used in old lumber is often far superior to the weaker, faster-growing timber harvested today. Properly recycled and processed for modern use, the beauty and functionality of reclaimed wood is unmatched.
If creating your own timeless retreat using recycled building materials sounds enticing, contact the reclaimed wood experts here at Bingham Lumber and learn more about the beauty, durability, and effectiveness of reclaimed wood for your next job.
While the pandemic has certainly curtailed many social activities and trapped people in their homes for weeks, even months, almost everyone has heard of the game of “cornhole.” Over the past few years it has taken backyards, playgrounds, recreation centers, campgrounds, and beaches by storm.
Here in New England weather is a serious factor that affects the exteriors of our homes, especially windows and doors – openings that, if not maintained, can allow water to infiltrate the structure. One key component of all exterior doors is the threshold. Now this may sound old-timey, but “threshold” is simply a term for the structural transition that is part of the doorway over which the door swings. It separates the interior floor from the outside and helps make entry smoother while keeping weather out. 
With so many of us spending more time at home these days, you might be looking for a fun, easy-to-do project for yourself that can even involve your kids and get you outdoors and growing things. A tiny, do-it-yourself greenhouse made from recycled windows will add some color and a little whimsy to your backyard while encouraging you to do some gardening that’s also fun and productive. 
There is an upside to having to spend time at home with kids during the current coronavirus pandemic – you have the opportunity to spend some quality time with them and help them learn new skills, such as woodworking. There are hundreds of simple, easy-to-do woodworking projects that kids can tackle mostly – if not entirely — by themselves. A few might require an adult to step in and provide some assistance, especially if there is a power tool involved. But for the most part, kids can get the chance to measure and cut wood; hammer, glue, or screw parts together; learn how to use paint or stain; and end up making a useful, even fun product for themselves or someone they love. 
With a history dating back over 400 years, New England has no shortage of old things, including many old buildings full of beautiful, high quality architectural items such as wide-plank flooring, wonderfully distressed barn siding, massive beams and other elements that can be put to good use in new, renovated, and restored homes. 
Renovating an older home can be a daunting task, but if you’ve been blessed with ownership of a house built in the late 19th or early 20th century – such as an old farmhouse or country home – you have the opportunity to update it while reinforcing the charm and old-timey look of wood that is no longer available in the modern lumber industry.
Floating wood shelves are a sleek, modern way to showcase beautiful wood while providing a very utilitarian way to display and store items. Featuring hidden shelf brackets that fit snugly and securely into a wall stud and holes drilled into the shelf, floating shelves are relatively easy to install with a few common tools and some accurate measuring.
Underfloor heating, known as radiant heating, is a type of heating system (as the name implies) that is installed under flooring, eliminating the need for unsightly radiators or warm air ducting that must be cut into ceilings, walls, and floors. Radiant heating may be either hydronic (water/fluid flowing through pipes) or electric (electric resistance heating elements).
Do It Yourself home improvement is a growing phenomenon these days as the internet abounds with do-it-yourself (DIY) websites, blogs, forums, social media and other ways for individuals to check out cool DIY projects such as handicrafts, woodworking, and even furniture-making.
A wood floor — especially one crafted from vintage, reclaimed, wide-plank lumber – is not only a thing of beauty, it’s one of durability when properly cared for. Wood flooring that has received a quality finish using an appropriate finishing product is relatively easy to care for and will provide many years of use and pleasure.
Throughout the Mid-West and up and down the eastern seaboard lives a deep rooted history in agriculture and farming that has existed since the arrival of the first American settlers. The result is a landscape that has been dotted with beautiful old barns steeped in American history and use that has imbued them with character, charm and unique features. These features are the reason for the recent increase in popularity of reclaimed barn siding, paneling, and the overall use of reclaimed materials in new construction.
Years ago, wall-to-wall carpeting was viewed by many as the ultimate flooring for new homes – a vast expanse of soft, warm, cushiony flooring that seemed ideal for young families moving into new homes in the suburbs.