In an era where environmental sustainability is gaining momentum, homeowners are seeking unique, salvaged wood pieces to bring historical beauty into their homes. This humble material, often discarded as waste, is now viewed as a stunning and eco-friendly alternative that can transform any house into a rustic, warm, and beautiful home.

Unearthing the Hidden Treasure

The valuable timbers that once supported the mills, barns, factories, and dwellings across our country are being rediscovered each day when those structures are removed for newer buildings. We maintain close nationwide relationships with salvaging specialists, who bring the recycled timbers, boards, and other fibers to our facility in Brookline, NH.

Each piece of salvaged wood comes with its own story and character, with visible marks and weathering gained through the years that add a sense of history and authenticity to the final creations. From rustic to refined, this wood bears the marks of its past, which only adds to its charm.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Using new wood has its benefits, but it is a major contributing factor to deforestation, which severely harms our natural world’s biodiversity and contributes to greenhouse gasses. This is what makes antique lumber highly desirable in today’s market, when people are making healthier choices for the environment. Reclaimed wood does not pose a threat to the environment. In fact, it helps promote a greener world and helps reduce the amount of waste created.

The environmental benefits of using salvaged wood cannot be overstated. By repurposing wood that would otherwise end up in landfills, we reduce the demand for freshly cut timber and alleviate the pressure on our forests. Embracing salvaged wood not only helps preserve our forests but also prevents the release of carbon stored within the wood fibers, further reducing our carbon footprint.

Crafting Reclaimed Masterpieces

The creative possibilities with salvaged wood are boundless. Skilled craftsmen and DIY enthusiasts are transforming this reclaimed material into works of art, furniture, and functional pieces that draw attention. From statement furniture to simple-yet-stunning accent pieces, salvaged wood brings a touch of eco-refinement to any space.

• One-of-a-Kind Furniture: Salvaged wood is often used to craft unique furniture pieces that become the centerpiece of a room. Dining tables, coffee tables, wall mounts, and even bed frames made from reclaimed wood boast captivating textures and organic stories that captivate the eye and spark conversation.
• Home Décor: Salvaged wood can be repurposed for smaller items, such as picture frames, wall shelves, and decorative panels, adding a touch of rustic elegance to any interior design.
• Flooring and Paneling: Reclaimed wood flooring and wall paneling add warmth and character to homes and commercial spaces alike. The weathered look of salvaged wood brings a sense of comfort and nostalgia, making any space feel like a welcoming retreat.

Conclusion

The journey from “waste to wow” is an inspiring one. Salvaged wood proves that beauty can emerge from unlikely places and that creativity can be harnessed in sustainable ways. It is an eco-friendly venture that will bring warmth, charm, substance, and history to your home or workspace.

If you are considering salvaged wood for your home or business, contact us today. At Bingham Lumber, our specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have, and we are excited to help you elevate your space with the beauty that can only come from salvaged wood!

Your new wood floor is important. The stain must match your home, the furniture, and the atmosphere you have created. The species, texture, and pattern need to align with your vision and also avoid making the room “busy.” At Bingham Lumber, we know this is both an exciting chapter for your home, as well as an investment you want to be perfect, and we are ready to guide you to the selection that completes your home. In order to find that selection, we first need to begin your wood flooring order.

The First Step: Consultation

Before we can provide you with potential choices, the initial step is to meet with one of our representatives, whether over the phone or face to face in our showroom. By meeting with us, we can learn about your vision and the possibilities that will work well in your home, especially if you are unsure what type of wood flooring you would like.

If you already know the wood flooring you need for your home, then we can find you the product that best suits your needs. Factors such as foot traffic, temperature changes, subflooring, matching with an existing flooring, and level of use will be discussed during this time.

Unsure About What You Want?

With the advancements and ever-growing options in wood flooring, we get it. There is a seemingly infinite number of possibilities available for you. But don’t worry, we will simplify this part for you.

If you are trying to decide between a variety of species, we will show you one piece of each type to help narrow down the options. Once you have decided on a species, we will send you two to four pieces of that material. These pieces will include the possible characteristics and pattern variations of that species and grade.

These pieces also help you and your representative determine which stain and finish is best, giving you a good idea of what to expect in the final project. This is a service Bingham does free of charge so that you can receive a general expectation of the product. Samples can also be ordered via our online Sample Request Form.

Order Up!

Once you have selected the species, stain, and finish, you can actually place the order for your new wood flooring!

Once your order has been placed your job is done. Now it is time for our production crew to get their job done as they prepare, mill, sand, stain, and finish your project to perfection. And even though your job is done, we are always happy to provide updates.

If you have been deciding what wood flooring will fulfill your vision, complement your aesthetic, and bring your home together, contact us today. Our team members at Bingham Lumber are excited to help you through this eventful time and help you find the perfect selection.

When renovating the floors of your home, the to-do list, the choices, and the installation process can seem intimidating. If replacing the floors seems like a daunting task, you may consider the simplicity that comes with prefinished floorboards. Some people may prefer the benefits of unfinished wood flooring, but the best way to decide is by learning the unique offerings of both options. With the right information, you can feel confident with your choice and enjoy the addition to your home.

Benefits of Prefinished Wood Flooring

• Shorter installation time. The installation process will take much less time because the floorboards will not require sanding or a finishing coat. The boards will be ready to go as soon as they arrive at your home.
• You can immediately walk on it. Unlike unfinished flooring, prefinished wood planks will have already undergone the staining and coating process, allowing you to walk and place your furniture onto the floor as soon as the installation is complete.
• Easy to level. With a prefinished floor, you will receive the material with subtly beveled or hand-eased edges. This reduces any unevenness during installation. Even new sub-floors can cause unevenness during installation.
• An entirely finished look. When Bingham applies the finish to the flooring, we ensure that the sides of the boards are thoroughly stained as well. This is beneficial when the season changes. If boards contract and separate in the cold weather, you will not see unfinished edges.

Drawbacks to Prefinished Wood Flooring

• Your installer is not able to sand one last time after the material is installed. This will be an issue if the subfloor is not even throughout the space, which would result in uneven edges on your floor.
• You will not be able to trim out any defects or knots that you may find unsuitable because that will leave you with an unfinished end.

Benefits of Unfinished Wood Flooring

• More opportunities to refine. Unlike prefinished wood, you are able to sand unfinished floorboards one last time after the material is installed. This allows any unevenness of edges that can occur during installation to be adjusted.
• Better adjustment inside your home. During the natural acclimation process, when the wood is not sealed with a finish, it allows for the shifting and expansion that will occur when the floor is adjusting to the environment in your home.
• Even flooring at the smallest level. Sanding the floor after it is installed onto the subfloor will allow the boards to be flush with each other, allowing a much more balanced experience and tighter spacing. This also helps with the application and evenness when applying a stain and finish.
• Freedom to alter the details. You or your installer will be able to trim out any defects or knots that you may find unsuitable by using unfinished wood flooring.

Drawbacks to Unfinished Wood Flooring

• The installation will take a few extra days to accommodate for the finishing process.
• Unlike prefinished wood, if the unfinished floor is installed and then finished, only the face of the board will have finish on it. If your floor is to shrink and separate in the cold, dry weather, you may see unfinished edges and tongues when you look at the floor.
• Many finishes give off fumes that are harmful and will be in your home. Although the harmful compounds dissipate within a few hours, there can still be a residual smell of the actual compounds within the finish.

Prefinished and unfinished wood flooring has remarkable qualities that will elevate the atmosphere of your home. While each option naturally has a couple of setbacks, the ultimate choice comes down to what you feel is best for your renovation project. If you are stuck and can’t decide which option is right for you, contact us today. Our team at Bingham Lumber has decades of experience, and we’re happy to guide you toward the option that will have you feeling confident to take on this project.

When it comes to modern style, hardwood flooring is certainly the most popular choice for today’s homeowners. Gone is the heyday for the likes of carpet and laminate floorings, for hardwood is far more beautiful and adds warmth, character, and value to a home. Hardwood is versatile and can adapt to whatever your style is, whether it is contemporary, farmhouse, or modern, and it will heighten your home’s atmosphere.

At the moment, however, you have a concrete slab for a floor. What are your options? Are your choices limited because of the concrete flooring? Thankfully not, because there is a way to install hardwood floors over concrete. Here are some guidelines to help you through the process.

What is the floor’s grade level?

Before you do anything, it is important to know the grade level of the concrete floor, which is the location of the cement slab. Your concrete floor will be one of the following:

• Above grade (above ground)
• On grade (ground level)
• Below grade (basement level)

The classification of your concrete floor is important because it determines the amount of moisture it contains and whether installing hardwood should be done or not. Many manufacturers do not recommend installing hardwood floors on concrete that is below grade because it contains too much moisture.

Check the floor’s specifications

If you have determined that the project can move forward, then the next step is to ensure that the concrete floor is in good order and satisfies certain requirements. To learn more about those requirements, check out our complete concrete subfloor guidelines, but the rule of thumb is that the floor must be flat, dry, 3,000 psi, and free from non-compatible sealers, waxes, or oil.

Install a subfloor under-layer

There are multiple ways to install hardwood over a concrete subfloor, but the best way to achieve it is by first installing a wooden subfloor over the concrete. This wooden underlayment should be ¾ inch thick and will allow you to install your hardwood floor more easily. However, please note that installing this underlayment will raise your floor about 1½ inches, so make sure to measure carefully so that you don’t encounter problems with other installments like cabinets and doorways. For more great insight, check out our guide to installing a subfloor over concrete.

Acclimation of the materials

Wood flooring is a hygroscopic material subject to dimensional change as a result of variations in moisture, temperature, and humidity in the surrounding environment. Because of this, we advise that you always follow manufacturers’ recommendations regarding how and whether to acclimate wood flooring.

Should you need to acclimate the material, then it should be removed from any boxes or casings and be stored in the room where it will be installed. This allows the wood to acclimate to the moisture. Again, follow manufacturers’ recommendations when conducting this process, and measure the moisture in the room to ensure that the material has acclimated properly. To learn more about acclimating your hardwood flooring, check out our acclimation guide.

Installing the hardwood

No matter the type of hardwood you have selected, whether it is traditional material that needs to be nailed in or if it is engineered and will be pieced together, this is where your wooden subfloor will help make this step simpler for you. It can hold the nails in place or serve as the mount to which you will glue your hardwood flooring.

If you have a concrete floor and have been looking for ways to install beautiful hardwood in your home, contact us today. Our specialists have decades of experience, and we are excited to help you make your home look and feel the way you want!

Researching new hardwood flooring is an exciting experience. You get to bring your vision for your home or business to life and make it unique. However, the process can feel like a tricky maze with frustrating missteps without the right tools.

Your computer and phone are incredible devices that can reveal loads of options and possibilities, but using digital tools for a flooring project that takes place in the real world can only take you so far. Online, there are a lot of factors that have a hardwood elicit certain tones, hues, and textures that are much different than in person. The lighting of the studio where the photo was taken, your computer screen, and the tone settings you have selected can all greatly alter the true characteristics of the wood.

Visiting hardwood flooring suppliers is also a good option to see and feel the wood in person, but even then you are only able to experience it in the context of the store, its atmosphere, and its lighting. At Bingham Lumber, we want you to have the greatest experience possible, which is why we recommend using hardwood flooring samples to find the right one for you. It is simple to do, and it provides you with a better, real-world experience. Here are a few reasons why flooring samples are important and the surest way to find your ideal hardwood floor.

1. You want the floor to match the lighting and atmosphere

The lighting in a photo or a store’s showroom can be much different from the lighting in your space. With your floor samples, you will know which one best matches the natural lighting that enters your home or office. The amount of natural light that fills your room throughout the day greatly determines which wood best complements the atmosphere. Test each sample at different points in the day to see which wood works best overall.

Even the type of lightbulbs you use in the room can determine which sample is best for you. These days, there is a vast selection of bulbs that emit different qualities of light. You may have a cooler temperature for your workspace and a warm, calming light in your living room. Test the samples at night with just artificial lighting to make sure the wood looks good in all conditions. Lighting plays a significant role with hardwood flooring, so keep this in mind while searching!

2. Flooring samples give you the sensory experience you need

We don’t just look at our hardwood floor. We touch and walk on it too! Hardwood floors are unique characters, each with a different texture and feeling.

Looking online removes that much needed experience of knowing the feel of the wood. With the physical sample, you can hold the wood and lay it on the floor. While it may seem silly, many people even test the sample by walking on it barefoot, with socks, and with shoes. Your floor is an investment, so it’s best to experience it fully before committing.

3. Samples allow you to coordinate with your walls and furniture

With your samples in hand, you can compare each of them to the color your walls are or will be, allowing you to tie everything together and create a unified atmosphere.

Beyond just the walls, you can also compare the samples with your furniture, cabinetry, and window fixtures to see which ones will work best.

While you may have a particular color or shade in mind, we actually recommend you try a variety of colors, light and dark. You may be surprised at what will work best within your space.

If you have been searching for the perfect hardwood floor for your home or business, we can help you find the one. Contact us today. Our specialists at Bingham Lumber have decades of experience to provide you and help you make the most of your project.

Recently, the art of “barn cruising,” or the process of finding, selecting, and determining the value of usable wood in a standing structure has become a real passion of ours, as it leads to incredible, one-of-a-kind lumber and experiences. Each day at Bingham Lumber, we encounter numerous folks with wonderful stories describing their family barn, an old industrial building, or another structure whose time has come to be deconstructed. If you have a similar story with a building that needs to come down, the process of selling the materials is simple, and we can help you.

The Process

Scheduling a visit with us is quick and easy, starting with these steps:

• An email describing the structure, its history, and its location
• Images of the building, including exterior, interior, beams, and boarding
• Time frame in which you would like to see the structure removed
• Indicate if you are looking for Bingham to purchase the wood once the building is down or if you would need our help in coordinating the deconstruction.

Once these basics have been covered, we can plan a visit to your structure and provide an in-person inspection.

What Wood Are We Seeking?

At Bingham Lumber, we have an eye that finds quality in even the most unlikely places. If you are wondering if the lumber in your old structure is of value, chances are that it is. In these old barns and buildings, there rests wood of a distinguished quality that is difficult to find in the modern market. The planks and beams may come from old-growth trees that grew slowly and fully matured, making the timber stronger and more durable than most of the fresh lumber produced today. The quality and demand make this a valuable prospect.

How Can We Help You?

The understanding and appreciation of New England forests run deep in our family’s lineage. Since our founding, Bingham Lumber has practiced the art of “cruising,” whether it is a standing tree or an old barn. We have sought lumber that is best for our customers while honoring the responsibility of preserving our natural world.

If you are in need of deconstructing an old structure, and if you are interested in selling its lumber, contact us today. Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you get started!

Depending on the project you are working on, you will either need hardwood, softwood, or maybe even both. But what determines whether you need one type of lumber over the other? What are the benefits of each type? And what are the key differences between the two? Let’s find out now!

What is hardwood?

Hardwood comes from trees like oak, maple, and walnut. These trees reproduce each year with a flowering plant and generally have broad leaves that will change colors and fall in autumn.

Compared to other tree types, hardwood trees grow very slowly, sometimes requiring 150 years before being ready to harvest. Because they take so long to fully grow, hardwood is usually more complex, denser, and heavier than softwood.

What is softwood?

Softwood comes from evergreen trees like pine, spruce, and cedar. Compared to hardwood trees, softwood trees grow much more quickly, usually requiring only 40 years to grow until they are ready to harvest. Because they grow at a faster rate, these trees are usually less dense than hardwoods.

Strength and Durability

If you think that hardwoods are stronger and more durable, well, you are pretty much correct. As the name suggests, “hardwoods” are usually the more robust option because of their slow growth time and complex structure; however, hardwoods do not always have the greater density. There is such a thing as a “soft” hardwood, like Balsa, though this is less common.

Hardwoods also have greater endurance compared to softwoods when exposed to the elements like weather or foot traffic. They are also superior with fire resistance, but softwoods can be treated to last longer in the elements too. That being said, both types of wood will eventually wear and degrade if left to any elements untreated.

Cost and Environmental Impact

Naturally, because they grow faster, are easier to source, and are in greater abundance, softwoods are generally cheaper to purchase than hardwoods. However, product, species, and amount needed are all additional factors that will affect the cost.

When it comes to being environmentally friendly, softwoods are the go-to option, again because they grow more quickly than hardwoods. The good news is that if you are set on using hardwood for your next project, sourcing lumber from ethical sources like a sustainably-managed forest or from a reclaimed wood provider like Bingham Lumber is a great option that will add beauty to your project and help our environment.

If you have been deliberating on whether softwood or hardwood is the right choice for your next project, contact us today. Our specialists are here to help answer any questions you have and guide you toward the option that works best for you!

In our modernizing world, public design has become more minimal and simplistic, creating a rekindled desire for style. More people are actually looking for the warmth and character of the old world in their homes, and one way they are finding it is through reclaimed barnwood.

Reclaimed barn siding and paneling has grown in popularity in recent years, with several homeowners repurposing modest amounts to highlight features in their homes, like an accent wall, a rugged bartop, or a kitchen island.

Barnwood carries a rich history with it, and our barnwood paneling holds all of the charming details of reclaimed timber such as nail holes, insect markings, weather checking, knot structure, and varied texture, each piece with its own story to tell. Every ounce of these materials is sourced from reclaimed structures.

Every person has their own unique style and desire for their home, which is why we provide a wide range of barnwood types, colors, and textures. Each class possesses its own features, hues, and personality that are sure to align with your vision. To name a few, we carry the following:

• Homestead Paneling
• Faded Red Barnboard
• Roofboard Paneling
• Hemlock Bearwood
• Weathered Gray
• Raked Berkshire

Beyond the complementing aesthetic, using reclaimed barnwood within your home benefits you and our natural world. Much of our barnwood is old growth, a now-rare quality that means it is from trees that have naturally reached their full maturity within an environment that enables slow growth. This makes the wood much denser, stronger, and more durable compared to new lumber.

Additionally, using barnwood decreases the demand for newly-harvested virgin timber from forests. By choosing reclaimed wood, you are helping preserve our countryside and wildlife. It also means that you are helping reduce the impactful process of felling, processing, and transporting new timber.

Finally, installing reclaimed barnwood gives old wood a new life that will contribute to your home’s comfortable atmosphere. When you buy old wood, you are actually buying a one-of-a-kind piece of history that has been in the making for generations. Reclaimed barnwood will provide your home with a feeling that cannot be experienced with the typical furnishings of our modernizing world.

If you have been seeking a way to add a unique touch to your home, contact us today to learn more about styling your space with reclaimed barnwood. Our staff of specialists are excited to help make your home match your vision!

You may recycle several different things in your home like cans, bottles, and paper–the usuals. If you were to go around your home, you would actually find a lot more seemingly uncommon materials that are quite valuable at your nearby recycling facility, and wood is definitely one of those materials. Wood recycling is growing in popularity as a way to preserve natural resources and use old lumber in construction and renovation projects instead of cutting down live trees to mill new lumber.

What is it exactly?

With the demand for lumber in today’s market, companies are using innovative ways to acquire the needed resource. Instead of harvesting new lumber from young forests, they seek old buildings and other structures that are no longer being used. They dismantle the buildings, and then they sort and process the wood to ensure quality and usability.

From there, the wood is sold to local companies with wood recycling facilities like Bingham Lumber, where the wood is thoroughly inspected and further processed to remove old hardware like nails and screws. We then saw the wood into usable dimensions, and treat the wood to preserve its natural beauty and overall condition. Finally, we make it available to commercial buyers and DIYers.

Why recycle wood?

There are multiple benefits to recycling wood. First, recycling wood is one of the greatest ways companies are preserving our natural, living environment. With fewer young forests being cut down, they can grow, thrive, and provide a healthier natural world. With the wood already cut and processed, recycled wood also requires much less time, energy, and resources to condition and repurpose the material. This saves companies and homeowners on important costs.

Also, the durability and quality of old-growth wood has been almost completely harvested and is practically no longer available in today’s market, with most available resources consisting of faster-growing, younger, and softer woods like pine. Recycling wood enables old-growth hardwood to reenter the market and be widely available again, so that more people can experience the benefits of old hardwood.

The bottom line

Recycling wood has a wide range of benefits, helping the environment and enabling us as consumers to have more variety in our options. Old-growth wood carries with it a rich history, and every mark and notch it possesses holds a story. Through the years, it will patina and age well, providing your home or business with a warm, unique atmosphere that cannot be replicated, and it will serve you well for years on end.

If you have been searching for quality hardwood, please contact us today. Our specialists are happy to talk with you and learn more about your needs.

Figuring out the best wood flooring for your home can be an overwhelming process, even if you’ve gone through it before. Breaking down the steps that cover the most important factors can help simplify the process and ease much of the stress. If you’ve been considering what type of wood flooring will best suit your home, consider the following tips.

1. Solid or Engineered Hardwood?

There are two types of hardwood available on the market today: solid and engineered. Knowing the benefits of both can quickly narrow down which flooring is best for you.

Solid hardwood flooring is made from a single, solid piece of milled hardwood, hence the name. Popular species include cherry, maple, walnut, and oak. The installation requires nailing the wooden planks into the subfloor, which is a more technical process. Finally, 100% hardwood floors are water resistant but not waterproof, meaning you will need to be careful with moisture and clean the floors without using a mop. This type of flooring is best suited in areas outside of the kitchen.

Engineered hardwood flooring has multi-layered planks made with a 100% natural hardwood top layer and a strong, stable plywood core underneath. This type of wood flooring is often considered DIY friendly and can usually be interlocked or glued for the installation. And while this type of flooring is also not waterproof, it is more water resistant than solid hardwood flooring.

2. What level of durability do you really need?

No matter how tough a wood floor is, without proper care, it can become worn or even scratched. If your home is filled with high-traffic areas with children or pets, you will want to consider hardwoods with higher durability.

Hardwood Rating: Every species of hardwood has a hardness rating. Maple, Hickory, and Oak are some of the hardest woods available, while pine, cedar, and spruce are softwoods. The harder the wood, the more of a beating it can take.

Protective Coats: When shopping for flooring, ask about what protective coatings are available for each type.

Water Resistance: It’s true. When we think of hardwood floors, we do not usually think “waterproof.” However, some types of hardwood floors are more spill friendly than others. Consider the risk of water when picking your floor.

3. Your Personal Taste is Important Too!

Once the technical features are decided, your own personal style and vision for your home’s atmosphere are equally important factors for your hardwood flooring.

What color or hue would you like for your home? A wood’s color comes from any stains and finishes that have been applied to it, as well as its natural tone.

The species you choose will also have different grain features. For example, Maple will have fine, straight grain strokes, whereas Oak will have a more noticeable grain pattern with lots of variation.

While we can get caught up in what’s technically best for our home’s demands, always remember to include what aesthetic you envision for your home.

If you’ve been thinking about what hardwood is best for your home but have felt unsure or stuck on what to do next, contact us today. Our team of specialists are excited to answer any questions and guide you to what makes you and your home happy!

Antique wood has a warm history that is filled with a character and beauty from a bygone time. The quality of “old growth” wood is second to none, lasting for generations and adding to its story. The health and well-being of our environment is protected by giving the revitalized wood a new home and a new purpose. We see reclaimed wood more in our everyday lives–in our offices, homes, and restaurants–and most people don’t know what it takes for that material to be given new life. At Bingham Lumber, the reclaimed wood we source goes through quite the journey before finally resting in your home or business.

Where We Find It

The valuable timbers that once supported the mills, barns, factories, and dwellings across our country are being rediscovered each day when those structures are removed for newer buildings. We maintain close nationwide relationships with salvaging specialists, who bring the recycled timbers, boards, and other fibers to our facility in Brookline, NH.

After developing our craft and abilities for over 76 years, we have become an industry leader of reclaiming wood materials, yielding an extremely high amount of usable material from those recycled timbers.

Our Process

Once the materials are here, each piece undergoes the following multi-step process:

• Inspection and cataloging
• Part-one sizing and sorting
• Nail removal
• Sawing the material on the mill
• Parallel ripping
• Surfacing and part-two sizing
• Milling or moulding
• Grading, cutting, packaging

Through each step of this process, we strive to maintain the quality, durability, and unique characteristics of each piece. Because the material we work with cannot be recreated or copied, we must handle it with the utmost care. Using patience and skill, we remove each nail by hand so that no part of the wood is damaged. In fact, every step is completed by hand, from sizing and sorting to feeding the planers and moulders, to ensure the best possible grades and finishes are attained.

Bringing It Home

After the reclaimed wood has completed and passed the inspection, restoration, and processing, it is finally ready to continue its life in your home or business. We house various types of wood from different places and times in history, each with its own story that we are happy to tell you, and we provide a wide variety of sizes depending on your own needs. And while the price of reclaimed wood is higher than “virgin wood,” the processing, quality, and timelessness of the old-growth wood is unmatched by anything available in regular markets.

If you’ve been seeking ways to bring warmth, beauty, quality, and durability into your home that cannot simply be recreated anywhere else, please contact us today. Our team of specialists are happy to speak with you about your options and how we can make your ideas become timeless features within your home.

So you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and update your home with hardwood floors. Naturally, the prospect of removing your old flooring and installing new hardware can be overwhelming, but with the right guidance, planning, and execution, you will be enjoying the comfort and quality of beautiful hardwood floors in no time.

Have a Solid Plan

There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to hardwood flooring, so we think it’s wise to take your time and find the hardware that best suits your needs and desires.

You’ll need to determine if the area where you are installing the new floor will have low or high traffic, which will decide the type of wood that serves you best. With higher traffic comes the need for harder wood flooring. A quick Google search for the Janka Hardness Scale will provide you with an extensive list that provides you quality options ranging from the softest to the hardest woods available.

Another element to consider is the aesthetic you’d like your new floor to have and which woods will provide that for you. For example, white oak is a popular go-to hardwood for its light color, providing homeowners with a great variety of color options. On the other hand, dark wood like walnut, while limiting in color options, provides a deep and warm atmosphere.

Finally, safety should be the top priority of any home improvement project. If you feel that removing and installing flooring is too risky or challenging, consult your options with a trusted local professional, and they can help you determine the best course of action.

Use Your Resources

For many of us, we just want to dive right into the project and figure it out as we go. However, installing new flooring can be a big endeavor with a big price tag, so it is again best to take your time and use all of the resources and literature that’s available to you.

Say you’ve chosen the wood you’d like to install. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular product. For a safe and secure installation, we recommend following the National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) guidelines. Take time to read the proper guidelines and understand the materials you’re handling and what they require before starting the actual installation.

Take Steps to Protect Your Flooring

Finally, it’s important to remember that wood flooring is made of natural materials that can be affected by factors within its surrounding environment like moisture and heat. Using the NWFA’s guidelines, install the necessary hardware that will prolong the life of your hardwood flooring. For example, quality subflooring is an important addition that will shield your hardwood from outside elements.

If you’ve been wanting to update your home with hardwood flooring, but haven’t been sure about where to begin, please contact Bingham Lumber today. Our specialists are excited to meet and talk with you and bring your ideas into reality!

In today’s market, it is extremely difficult to have something that’s truly unique, and it’s understandably frustrating to search for furniture that has your specific style only later to see someone else bought the same thing. You want your home to reflect yourself, and you’re having trouble succeeding. The fact of the matter is that it’s nearly impossible to be one of a kind in a mass-market world.

This may seem gloomy, but there is luckily an escape from the cookie-cutter trend, and it doesn’t require you to spend thousands more than the typical showroom furniture set. Collaborating with your local company like Bingham Lumber to create custom furniture will bring you truly unique pieces that are sure to reflect your style and turn heads at the same time.

At Bingham Lumber, we’ve been happily making custom furniture for decades, and the possibilities are endless. Some of our latest projects have been

• Kitchen cabinetry
• Free-standing islands
• Bedroom sets
• Desks
• Pantries
• Vanities
• Make-up tables
• Built-in master closet cabinetry
• Dining tables
• Bunk Beds

Many of these pieces of furniture were inspired by our clients like you and their vision to have a unique piece for their home. At Bingham, we give you full control in the designing process to ensure that we make them as custom as possible for you. You decide your furniture’s size, style, finish, and even the species of wood so that the end result is exactly how you want it.

Beyond having pieces of furniture for your home that no one else can have, there are several benefits to having custom furniture built.

Environmentally Friendly

Your custom-made furniture can have a positive impact on the environment if you choose to use reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is taken from old structures and buildings and used for new projects. By using these reclaimed materials, you will give them new life and help prevent the processing of new wooden materials that affect the natural world.

Higher Quality and Durability

Typically, a reclaimed wooden piece is old-growth wood, which is stronger and more durable than wood from newer forests. And with our custom furniture, your pieces are crafted by master builders instead of the usual cookie-cutter assembly lines that make the mass-produced furniture you see in showrooms. The master builders will carefully take your designs and craft the pieces with precision and care.

A Lifetime of Dependability

Because your furniture will have better quality and durability, you will be able to enjoy it longer than any mass-produced item. With carefully crafted, custom furniture, you are getting family heirlooms that will stand the test of time and be passed down through your family’s generations.

If you’ve been seeking out ways to make your home truly reflect you and be unique, contact us today and share your ideas for a custom furniture piece. Our specialists are happy to hear your thoughts and make your visions become reality!

Traditional hardwood floors are quickly rising in popularity throughout homes around the world, replacing the likes of carpet, vinyl, and tile once and for all. This goes for the kitchen as well. For most homes, the kitchen is one of the busiest rooms for a family. Each day, the floors are subject to loads of foot traffic, the occasional spill, and, of course, mealtime messes. When considering what is the best flooring material for the kitchen, more and more homeowners are choosing the quality, durability, and simple cleaning needs of wood flooring.

The Benefits of Wood Flooring

Beyond its natural, traditional aesthetic, hardwood flooring carries with it several benefits that make it the top choice for homeowners. Consider the following:

• Softer and Warmer Than Other Materials
  Wood flooring is softer and easier on your feet and joints even though it may not seem like it initially. When compared to other materials like tile, the organic matter of wood provides a natural give when stepped upon. Additionally, wood retains warmth while tile loses heat, which makes a considerable difference during the winter months.
• It’s Easier to Clean
  Contrary to what you might believe, wood flooring is actually easier to clean than most other materials like tile or vinyl. With tile, dust and dirt are easily trapped in the grout lines and can be extremely difficult to fully clean. Even when scrubbing, bits of dirt can be lodged further into the grout. With wood floors, especially those with a sealer, dirt and stains are less likely to stick to the surface.
• Adds Value to Your Home
  Because wood flooring is such a highly desired feature within homes, having wood flooring will add significant value to yours. If you are considering selling your home in the future, remember that potential homebuyers are seeking out the allure of wood flooring over tile and vinyl.
• Creates Space and Elegance
  Typically, the kitchen is the space where families come together, so it’s important that the room feels spacious. No one wants to meet in a place that feels uncomfortable and cramped. Because wood floors are laid across the length of the room, they provide the illusion of length, especially when using wider wooden planks.

Of course, wood naturally possesses an inherent warmth and charm that is unmatched by any other material. It creates an inviting atmosphere and adds to the sense of “home” and comfort.

If you’ve been thinking of adding wood flooring into your kitchen, please take the time to contact our team today. At Bingham Lumber, our members have decades of experience transforming our customers’ visions into beautiful features. We’re excited to help you take the next step for your home!

When working on a construction project for your home, there are several choices to make about the type of atmosphere you desire. If you’re looking for a timeless, unique, and rustic feel for your project, then hand-hewn beams are for you.

What exactly are “hand-hewn beams?” If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it is simply the original way craftsmen made support beams for homes and buildings. It is the process of carving and shaving a round log into a square beam using only hand tools–no machinery.

It is a building method that isn’t seen very often anymore, but if you look at almost any antique New England home or building, you will quickly discover the handwork of past craftsmen. In a time when everything is becoming mass produced and losing originality and character, going back to our origins of woodcraft will provide you with uniquely aged beams that you cannot find in your average home improvement store.

Hand-hewn beams provide your home with both decorative, structural, and environmental benefits such as:

• Durable, higher quality old-growth timber
• Beam made from rare woods
• A unique color and patina developed over several ages
• Incredibly positive impact on the environment

Not only are hand-hewn beams beautiful, unique, and highly durable, they are also wonderfully versatile. These beams can easily be cut and altered to serve multiple purposes for your projects. Many people acquire hand-hewn beams for ornamental pieces like fireplace mantels or ceiling beams, but they can also serve as actual supports throughout your home.

Even though carving logs by hand isn’t the mainstream method for creating beams anymore, you need not worry. There are still lumber companies that can provide that service, and with reclaimed wood becoming extremely popular, there are plenty of sources that can provide you with original beams for your project!

If you’ve been searching for the perfect feature to make your home’s aesthetic have that traditional, rustic, and unique atmosphere, consider exploring hand-hewn beams. If you have questions, or if you would like to see and learn more about hand-hewn beams for your project, contact us today. Our knowledgeable team is excited to give you the answers you’ve been looking for!

You’ve finally chosen the perfect hardwood floor for your home, and you’re probably excited about how beautiful this addition will be. No matter which hardwood you’ve chosen for your home, it requires the right protective finish to ensure it lasts for many years.

When it comes to hardwood floor finishes, there are several types to pick from, and all of them benefit your floor in different ways. In order to find the right one, consider the following:

• How much foot traffic will your floor receive?
• What type of hardwood are you using?
• What is best for your budget?
• How much time do you have for this project?
• How often are you willing to maintain your floor?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be able to confidently pick one of the following popular finishes for your hardwood floor.

Penetrating Oil Sealer

If you love the grain, depth, and color of your hardwood floor, we highly recommend using a penetrating oil sealer like tung oil. The use of tung oil allows the natural colors, characteristics, and features shine through, and the oil gives the wood a natural finished look without adding high shine or gloss. If you are restoring a historic home, this finish is ideal.

Penetrating oil sealers are absorbed through the porous flooring and will prevent some scratches. The floor will need maintenance every couple of years, but the oil is easy to apply and touch up. Just keep this in mind if your floor will be in a high-traffic area. Finally, this finish does take a while to dry, up to a full day.

Water-based Polyurethane

For a clean, clear coat that maintains integrity and clarity, we recommend using a water-based polyurethane finish. This finish is durable, so it works well for areas where you have heavy furniture or a lot of foot traffic, and you can get it in a high-gloss, semi-gloss, or satin sheen. Just be careful with a high-gloss sheen as scratches and dents are more visible with this option.

If you’re environmentally conscious, water-based polyurethane is also a great choice because it releases far fewer volatile organic compounds compared to other options. It also dries quickly, allowing you to walk around in about four hours.

Oil-based Polyurethane

Oil-based polyurethane has a slight amber or yellowish tint and can yellow even more over time, which adds a rich, warm, amber color to the floors. This finish is also popular with homeowners with high-traffic floors, and it comes in a variety of sheens. Finally, a floor with this finish is typically easy to maintain, only requiring the occasional sweep and mop. Just keep in mind that this finish does have a slow drying process, often requiring a day or two to complete.

Your hardwood floor adds character and charm to your home, so it’s important to maintain it properly. Now is the time to ensure that your floor’s natural beauty and characteristics last for many years. Call us today to learn which option is best for you. We’re excited to help you with your project!

As a homeowner, you know very well that flooring plays an important role in the overall atmosphere of your home. Hardwood floors give a warm and comforting feeling, and they also provide a sense of tradition and craftsmanship that people desire to have in their homes. If you’ve been searching for the right type of flooring that adds these features, then take some time here to consider the following benefits that wide-plank hardwood floors will bring to your home.

A Natural Look

Wide planks have a greater variety of wood grains, and the added width showcases these natural and unique features that adds a visual appeal that slimmer planks can’t provide. Wide planks also can be found in almost every type of wood, which allows it to be used in any interior style. Whether you are looking for a rustic or contemporary aesthetic, you can find the right wide-plank flooring to match your vision.

Adding Space

Installing wide-plank flooring is a relatively quick way to make a small room feel much larger. With longer and wider planks, there are naturally fewer seams and joints cluttering up your floor space, which dramatically simplifies and calms the floor’s visual effect and allows the floor’s beauty to stand out and open up the room.

Better Installation and Durability

Aside from the aesthetic benefits wide-plank flooring provides, it is also the practical choice. With wider wooden planks, there are fewer pieces needed to cover the room’s floor space. While the cost of wide-plank flooring can be a little more expensive, the fewer materials needed can lead to a quicker installation process that ultimately leads to major savings in labor costs and time. Plus, you have your personal space back to yourself sooner.

On top of the installation, the wood used for wide-plank flooring is highly durable. Wide-plank floors are traditionally cut from the heartwood of old growth trees, meaning they have a denser, less porous grain pattern, making them tougher and able to stand the test of time. This is especially true for reclaimed wood. Early New England colonists crafted their floors of sturdy wide planks for this very reason, and many of those original floors are being used today, so if you desire to have a floor that provides your home with classic charm and a warm, comfortable mood that will last for generations, you cannot go wrong with such a time-honored and dependable flooring material.

The vision you have for your home is important to us, and we want you to be happy and feel proud and comfortable within it. If you’ve been thinking about making a change to your home, take the time now to contact us to see how we can help you accomplish the project you have in mind and make your house into your dream home.

When we stand inside our home or another property, it can ignite our creative spirit. The space inspires us to make it our own with a touch of something everlasting and captivating.

With woodwork there are endless paths you can take. Sometimes we envision unique features that we’d like to see come to life in our project. This is where we enter into the creative world of custom millwork.

What is custom millwork?

Before we dive into what to expect from custom millwork, it’s good to know what it is exactly. To put it simply, millwork is the term used to describe woodwork that is made in a mill. This can include flooring, molding, doors, and a lot of other things. While custom millwork is often used for standard lumber work, it can also be geared toward more high-end projects that require intricate detail.

Customization and Quality

A major reason you may choose custom millwork is because it allows us to provide you with a lot more customization options. Honestly, there is almost no limit to what can be created.

Our custom millwork always requires a high level of discipline and attention to detail. Oftentimes, our projects involve both machines and a careful hand to ensure complete quality control and accuracy.

Our Custom Millwork

At Bingham Lumber, we’re fortunate to have a custom millwork shop on site at our Brookline, NH facility. Our shop is well equipped with an impressive collection of machinery that creates one-of-a-kind pieces that are full of personality and are built to last. Here we can produce just about anything. We craft custom tables, islands, barn doors, wooden mantels, and many other wooden creations.

When it comes to working alongside our customers, we know how important it is to make your vision become reality, which is why we give you full control of the creative process. This ensures that the piece is made as custom as possible and reflects your creativity, making certain that there is no other piece like yours.

We walk with you through the process, starting with the species of wood you need. From our 20,000 square foot lumber barn, you are able to choose from several species including white and red oak, maple, hickory, walnut, poplar, and more. If you’re looking for something truly unique, we’re also proud to use reclaimed wooden pieces, each with a deep history and character that cannot be found elsewhere.

From there, we determine the size and specifications needed for the project. We take your notes, drawings, and instructions, and then we go to work. During the project, we update you with what’s being done so that you can determine the next step.

If you’re interested in having woodwork done for your space that is high quality, custom, and has the appeal of originality, feel free to contact us today!

You’ve been looking around your house lately, and you realize that it’s time to get creative and tackle a new project or make some refreshing changes in your home. The thing is though, whether you’re planning to DIY the next project or have a professional come in, you are simply stuck in a creative rut and are unsure of what changes to actually make or even where to begin. Maybe a list of questions is spinning around in your mind.

• What materials should I use?
• What tools will I need?
• What type of wood works best here?
• Can I afford to do this project?
• I have an idea of what I want the end result to look like, but is it actually the right idea?

Pretty quickly, this exciting idea that sparked in your mind has grown into a source of uncertainty and stress, and you’re unsure of how to move forward.

The good news is that you’re definitely not alone in this challenge, and we’re happy to help you reach your goals. Everyday we get to collaborate with wonderful people who have varying knowledge of DIY projects or home remodeling, and we’re proud to say that we have always helped our customers succeed in finding the right materials, tools, and direction for their creative ventures.

If you’re going to need wood for your project, then selecting what type of wood is a great way to get started, and you’ll actually be able to answer a lot of your other questions by solving this one first. There is a wide variety of materials ranging from hardwood to softwood, fresh to beautifully reclaimed, as well as a variety of textures, colors, and grains. Each one provides a unique aspect to a project.

Our greatest passion is using fine wooden materials, so we can quickly narrow down which type is best for you. Also, if you don’t have the tools or space to conduct your project, we have our own shop on site that can handle just about anything you need to get done.

For over 20 years, we have dedicated our lives to providing the best materials and experience to our customers, and in that time, we have helped thousands of folks out of the creative rut that plagues us from time to time. So if you have a vision, or just an idea, and need a little help, simply give us a call or visit us and find out how we can help you express your creativity and get that project accomplished.

You have a beautiful, new home, possibly built in recent years, and it has everything you need–a great lawn, fresh lighting, the garage, and new appliances throughout. And yet, at the same time, you find your house lacking the charm and character of an old, cozy home. You may notice it looks plain and much like a lot of the other new houses you’ve seen, and while a house’s charm doesn’t develop overnight, there are plenty of details you can add to help yours become unique.

Add Trim Work
Old homes are filled with details, and one small addition that brings a lot of character is trim work. Take a look at crown molding, for example. You can find it in almost any width, from minimal to extravagant, and immediately the plain walls you once had are a thing of the past.

If you want to take your old-home makeover to another level, you can consider adding wainscotting or door casings. While the skills needed to DIY these projects may vary, with some time, effort, and a little research, they can transform your home.

Built-in Shelving
Built-in bookcases are not only practical by strategically using empty space, they also provide your home with a stately, formal appearance. You can also customize built-ins to your taste by choosing a particular lining and going with either a classic white paint or a deep stain.

Use Natural Materials
Materials like vinyl and laminate are practical and potentially more affordable, but they do add to the cookie-cutter vibe of new houses. Nothing beats the quality, durability, and longevity of wooden materials, and they give your home an older and more rustic feeling. You can also replace the plain cabinets with intricate doors and add antique knobs.

Look at the Staircase
Many houses have multiple levels, which creates an opportunity to customize your stairway. Consider replacing the railing, steps, and other features with more elegant wood and ornamental designs.

Change the Doors
New homes often have plain doors. Much like decorative trim work, replacing plain doors with paneled doors will give your rooms a traditional feel. They provide a little more detail, and they are reminiscent of a classic home.

Use Reclaimed Materials
For any of these projects, it’s ideal to use reclaimed and salvaged wood to really give your new home that quality old look. Reclaimed wood provides a greater level of enrichment by bringing along its own history, with every mark and scratch adding to its story.

Looking to add more character and individuality to your home? Contact us today to see how we can help supply you with the best materials in the region. Whether you are looking for fresh, new materials or carefully crafted, reclaimed wood, we’re excited to help you make your house into your ideal home. Stop by or give us a call today!

When most people think of kitchen flooring, they think of tile or vinyl flooring, not wood. But to overlook wood flooring for your kitchen is to miss out on an opportunity to create a beautiful, durable, and reliable floor people will admire in what is probably the most popular room of your home.

One of the best reasons for choosing wooden kitchen floors is how wood can easily enhance the look of your kitchen. Wood adds an elegant touch and provides warm character to this hard-working space. In today’s more open floor plans, it also enables you to seamlessly transition from kitchen to dining to entertaining areas by tying the flooring together with a uniform look that supports a wide variety of architectural and interior-decorating styles.

Some of the many benefits of wooden kitchen floors include:

• Design options multiple wood species, styles, and colors provide a wide range of choices and finishes to complement any kitchen.
• Longevity Wood flooring is remarkably durable and can stand up to the high traffic of most kitchens for years.
• Value Because it’s so durable, wood flooring can last for decades. Even when it’s finally showing some wear, it can often simply be refinished – no need to tear it up and replace it.
• Easy maintenance Regular sweeping and damp mopping is usually all it takes to keep a wood floor looking its best.
• Comfort Because wood is an organic material it’s easier on your feet and back than unforgiving tile or polished concrete. Wood is also warmer – a great benefit during New England’s cold winters.

Wooden floors showcase the natural beauty of wood grain and make any room appear warmer and more elegant, including kitchens. Wooden kitchen floors can be purchased prefinished or unfinished and come in a wide range of colors and tones, making it easy to find a look that coordinates with any kitchen design.

A popular wood flooring option is reclaimed and recycled lumber. Nothing adds unique character and interest to flooring as the wide planks of antique lumber as well as the marks and general wear-and-tear that hints at an interesting previous life of the wood. Here at Bingham Lumber, we source all of our reclaimed lumber from responsible and respected suppliers and then carefully remill and recondition the wood as needed to give it added life and make it compatible with modern building standards.

So if you’re in the process of building or renovating a kitchen, consider wood flooring to add beauty, durability, and value. To learn more about the benefits of wood flooring and the various woods available, talk with the experts here at Bingham Lumber.

Regardless of the design or architectural style of a room, when a fireplace is present, it is almost always the central element that attracts the eye and invites people to come to sit by it. In addition, the natural stone, brick, or other hard construction materials used in a fireplace make it the perfect place to use a contrasting, organic material such as wood in a custom mantel.

Natural wood has a richness and warmth that can’t be found in other materials. Used as a fireplace mantel, reclaimed wood that has been finished to highlight the natural grain and take center stage in the design can add the right amount of depth and warmth to the room as a whole. This is perfect for living rooms, family rooms, and other areas where you want to encourage people to gather and feel comfortable.

A reclaimed wood mantel is an ideal, versatile feature that can complement virtually any style and decor. Antique wood that still shows the saw marks and nail holes of its original use has an authentically rustic appearance that can blend easily with fieldstone, drystack stone surrounds, and other rustic designs. Reclaimed wood mantels began their lives in another place and time, and still show many of their original marks and signs of age, wear, weathering, and patina. The simplicity of the mantel adds interest and character by itself, or when accentuated with artwork and other decorative elements.

Reclaimed wood comes from numerous sources, such as old farmhouses and buildings, often more than a century old. The lumber can be from many species of wood, and may show marks from its growth, milling, and use, enabling the wood used for your mantel to take on a unique look and characteristics.

At Bingham Lumber, we specialize in reclaimed lumber and often receive truckloads of it, which we carefully separate, clean, and gently remill when necessary to improve its appearance and usability. Our top quality reclaimed mantel wood generally falls into one of three categories of original milling:

Live edge: This term refers to an edge of the wood that has not been cut by a saw blade; this leaves an irregularly shaped edge that is unique to each piece.

Hand hewn: This old style of processing used hand tools such as an adze and slick (a kind of large chisel) that, in the old days, were the only way to turn a round tree into a square beam.

Circular sawn: The circular saw blades used to process lumber back in the day left a unique texture to the wood that we often reproduce on our classic plank flooring because some customers love the textured, old-fashioned look it creates.

The fireplace is one of the most important design features in a room. To highlight yours, make the mantel the focal point with the attractive, dramatic, or soft natural look of reclaimed wood. For more design ideas and help selecting just the right wood and look, talk to our reclaimed wood experts here at Bingham Lumber.