Add Character to Your Home with Barn Siding and Paneling

When you look at the inside of your home is your first thought about how bland it is? Are you possibly craving a little touch of rustic charm or a modern farmhouse vibe? Bingham Lumber has you covered. The versatility of barn siding and paneling offers a unique way to infuse warmth, texture, and character into any space.

When you come to Bingham Lumber, we understand the power of a well-designed interior. We offer a wide variety of barn siding and paneling options to assist in delivering your dream look. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why you should consider incorporating this trend into your own home.

  • The Allure of Barn Siding
  • Finding the Perfect Fit
  • Bringing Your Vision to Life
  • Transform Your Home with Bingham Lumber

The Allure of Barn Siding

Barn siding is much more than just pure aesthetics. They offer a bunch of advantages you should consider.

  1. It offers rustic charm. Reclaimed barn wood brings a touch of history and natural beauty to your space. The weathered textures and warm tones create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
  2. There’s also a modern appeal. Believe it or not, barn siding can also be incredibly modern. When used strategically, it can add a bit of industrial or minimalist edge to your design.
  3. It’s versatile. Barn siding isn’t limited to walls. You can get creative and use it for ceilings, accent walls, furniture pieces, mantels, or even backsplashes.
  4. Durability. The strength of reclaimed wood is well known, it’s incredibly strong and long-lasting. With the right care, it will add lasting value to your home for years to come.
  5. It’s green. Choosing reclaimed wood reduces your environmental footprint by giving new life to existing materials.

Finding the Perfect Fit

Be aware that not all barn siding is created equal. There are a few factors to consider when you are choosing the perfect fit for your project.

  1. There are numerous options to consider, such as Pine, Douglas Fir, and White Oak. Each wood has its own unique grain patterns and color variations.
  2. When you are trying to decide between reclaimed wood and new wood, you should understand that reclaimed wood offers a unique aesthetic that new wood doesn’t, but it comes with a higher price tag. New wood can offer a similar look with a smoother, cleaner finish.
  3. You have the ability to choose a pre-finished option for a more consistent look or even choose an unfinished option to stain or paint according to your own design preference.
  4. Reclaimed wood comes in many different board sizes and styles. If you choose wider planks you can create a more dramatic effect, while the use of narrower options presents a more traditional look.

Bring Your Visions to Life

  1. Don’t overwhelm your space. Use barn siding as a statement piece on an accent wall or even incorporate it in smaller areas in a room.
  2. Consider your lighting, because the right lighting can highlight the wood’s natural beauty. Place lamps strategically to enhance and embrace the rustic or modern feel you are aiming for.
  3. Thinking about the color scheme can be very important. Barn wood will pair beautifully with many colors, such as earthy tones like brown, beige, and green to compliment the natural look.If you’re going for a modern look, white or black accents can create a striking contrast.
  4. Don’t be afraid to mix textures. By pairing your barn siding with smooth surfaces like concrete or polished nickel hardware you will get a visually stunning space.

Transform Your Home with Bingham Lumber

Here at Bingham Lumber, we are passionate about helping our customers create a home that reflects their unique style. Our professional and knowledgeable staff will help you choose the perfect barn siding or paneling options for your project and answer any questions you may have. We offer a wide selection of materials, along with expert advice to help guide you.

Connect with Bingham Lumber and let us help you add character and charm to your home.

From Vision to Reality: Custom Furniture Tailored for You

 

Here at Bingham Lumber, located in Brookline, NH, we believe your home should be a beautiful reflection of your unique style and personality. Custom furniture is the perfect way to make this happen, offering personal solutions that meet your specific needs and preferences. Let’s explore how custom furniture can transform your living space.

Let’s consider the following;

  • Personalized Design
  • Quality Craftsmanship
  • Solve Space Challenges
  • Sustainable Choices

PERSONALIZED DESIGN

One of the most significant advantages of custom furniture is its amazing ability to create pieces that perfectly fit your vision. It doesn’t matter if you have a specific design in mind or need help bringing your ideas to life, our team at Bingham Lumber is here to assist you. We work closely with you so that we fully understand your style, preferences, and functional requirements, ensuring that every piece we create is a true reflection of your personality.

The benefits of having personalized designs by creating custom furniture are twofold. First, you get a unique aesthetic. Custom furniture allows you to create one-of-a-kind pieces that stand out and add character to your home. The second benefit is that you will have furniture that fits perfectly in your home. The tailored designs ensure your furniture fits seamlessly in your space, eliminating awkward gaps and maximizing functionality.

QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

At Bingham Lumber, we take pride in our commitment to quality craftsmanship. Our skilled artisans use only the finest materials and techniques to create furniture that is not only beautiful but also built to last. Their attention to detail ensures that your custom furniture will withstand the test of time and continue to bring joy to your home for years to come. To make sure the furniture we create is durable, we use only high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship resulting in items that are sturdy and long lasting. Besides durability, our craftsmanship also delivers furniture that will retain its beauty and functionality for a very long time, making it a worthwhile investment.

SOLVING SPACE CHALLENGES

Custom furniture is an excellent solution for addressing space challenges in your home. Whether you have an odd-shaped room, limited square footage, or specific storage needs, custom pieces can be designed to optimize your available space. You will no longer have to struggle with furniture that doesn’t quite fit or meet your needs. Custom furniture is designed to make the most of your available space, providing practical and efficient solutions. Tailored pieces can also include built-in storage, multi-functional features, and other elements that enhance usability.

SUSTAINABLE CHOICES

Choosing custom furniture from Bingham Lumber means you are making a sustainable choice. We offer reclaimed wood options to not only add unique character to your pieces but also to promote environmental conservation. By repurposing old wood, we reduce the demand for new timber and help preserve our natural resources. Reclaimed wood furniture supports sustainability and reduces environmental impact while each piece of reclaimed wood has its own story, greatly adding a touch of history and charm to your home.

Our team at Bingham Lumber is dedicated to providing personalized service throughout the entire process. From initial consultation to final delivery, we ensure that your experience is smooth and enjoyable. We listen to your needs, offer expert advice, and keep you informed every step of the way. We are committed to helping you create custom furniture that transforms your vision into reality. Get in touch with us to learn more about our services and start your custom furniture journey today.

Reclaimed vs. New Wood Flooring: Key Differences

Many people who own their homes are interested in the warmth and beauty wood floors deliver. They become a timeless addition. But, a new dilemma emerges when it comes to choosing the perfect fit and the right option. Do you choose reclaimed or new wood? Both of these choices offer distinct advantages, and Bingham Lumber is here to empower you to make the perfect decision.

The Allure of Reclaimed Wood: History Etched in Every Plank

Reclaimed wood flooring isn’t just about aesthetics, it is about embracing a piece of history. Imagine walking on wood planks that once graced a historic barn, a bustling factory floor, or even a charming farmhouse. This preloved wood delivers a unique feeling and character to your space which is unlike anything new wood can replicate.

What makes reclaimed wood stand out?

  • Reclaimed wood is an eco-friendly champion, so by choosing reclaimed wood, you’re minimizing environmental impact. You’re bringing new life to existing materials, reducing demand for freshly harvested trees, and promoting sustainable practices.
  • When you choose to use reclaimed wood you are going to find it has unparalleled character. Reclaimed wood has imperfections, nail holes, natural wear patterns, and a rich patina that helps create a one-of-a-kind aesthetic perfect for rustic, farmhouse, or industrial-inspired spaces.
  • Reclaimed wood has durability tested over time. It is often sourced from old-growth trees, reclaimed wood tends to be denser and sturdier than its younger counterparts. This translates to a floor that can withstand wear and tear for generations, while also adding lasting value to your home.

The Appeal of New Wood Flooring: A Fresh Canvas for Your Vision

New wood flooring offers a pristine canvas for your design dreams. Here’s how.

  • With new wood, you have a large variety of choices and a world of possibilities. You can explore different species, a spectrum of colors, and a variety of finishes that seamlessly match your existing decor or achieve a specific aesthetic. Are you looking for modern minimalist or Scandinavian-inspired? You can find them when using a new wood option, along with consistency in color and grain patterns.
  • New wood provides the stability you can trust. It is generally less prone to warping or cupping due to moisture fluctuations. This makes it a reliable choice for high-traffic areas, basements, or areas with fluctuating humidity levels.
  • You can expedite installation because new wood flooring often comes pre-finished and with click-lock installation systems, simplifying the installation process for “DIY,” enthusiasts.

Finding your perfect match is all about what matches your needs. Are you drawn to the rustic, timeless charm of reclaimed wood or the sleek lines and design versatility of new wood? Reclaimed wood might not be ideal for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, so new wood stability might make it a better choice. Reclaimed wood can be more expensive due to its rarity and processing needs, while new wood offers a wide range of price points depending on species and grade. At Bingham Lumber, we’re dedicated to guiding you through your flooring journey by offering a diverse selection of both reclaimed and new wood options. We also offer expert advice to ensure you make the right decision for your home and needs.

Contact Bingham Lumber to speak with our professional team ready to provide answers to all your wood flooring questions. We’re here to help you walk on a floor that reflects your style and lasts a lifetime.

The Superior Choice: Hardwood Flooring vs. Vinyl

Bingham Lumber has been a Brookline, New Hampshire staple for over 70 years, and we understand the desire our customers have for a beautiful, timeless floor. Both hardwood and vinyl flooring offer their own personal set of advantages, but when it comes to creating a long lasting impression and overall enhancing your home’s value, hardwood reigns supreme. Let’s look into why hardwood should be the perfect choice for your busy Brookline life.

Offer Elegance and Warmth

Hardwood floors boast natural beauty that a vinyl floor simply can not replicate. The rich grains and unique variations in every single plank creates a sense of character and sophistication that elevates any space. It doesn’t matter if you’re drawn to the classic charm of oak or the modern elegance of maple, hardwood adds a bit of luxury which vinyl’s manufactured look struggles to match.

Built to Last a Lifetime

Vinyl might seem like the most affordable option while looking at flooring, but when you consider that with the proper care, hardwood floors can last for generations. They can be refinished multiple times, which allows you to adapt the look of your floor to your evolving style choice. This incredible longevity makes hardwood floors a more cost-effective choice in the long run. Imagine the countless memories your family can create on a floor that endures through the years.

A Healthier Home Environment

Did you know that hardwood floors are naturally hypoallergenic? This amazing bonus makes them ideal for those with allergies or sensitivities. Unlike vinyl, which can trap dust and allergens, hardwood allows for easier cleaning and promotes much better indoor air quality. This is another significant benefit, especially if you live in a busy household with pets and children.

Increased Home Values

Thinking about selling your home one day? Hardwood floors are a proven way to boost your property value. Potential buyers will recognize the enduring quality and timeless appeal that hardwood floors offer. By placing hardwood floors in your home, you are making an investment that pays off when it comes to resale.

Perception Versus Reality

Here at Bingham Lumber, we understand that some homeowners might be hesitant about hardwood floors due to perceived maintenance needs or water resistance. However, with today’s finishes and cleaning techniques, maintaining these floors is easier than ever before. Additionally, while not entirely waterproof, a high quality engineered hardwood floor can withstand the occasional spill and humidity changes.

The Perfect Choice

Bingham Lumber is committed to help you find the perfect flooring solution for your needs. We offer a wide variety of high-quality hardwood flooring options, along with expert advice on installation and maintenance. Our friendly staff will answer your questions, address any concerns, and guide you towards the hardwood flooring that compliments both your personal style and way of life.

Invest in Beauty and Quality

Hardwood flooring is so much more than just a practical choice, it’s an investment in the beauty and value of your home. It creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, promotes a healthier environment, and adds value along with enduring appeal. So, make sure to visit Bingham Lumber today to explore the world of hardwood flooring. We will help create a floor that reflects your unique style and becomes a cherished part of your home for years to come.

Investing in Quality: How Hardwood Flooring Adds Value to Your Kitchen

At Bingham Lumber, we know investing in quality hardwood flooring is a smart choice for any homeowner. Hardwood flooring will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen, but it will also add significant value to your home. Here are just a few reasons why.

Timeless Appeal

When you use hardwood flooring in the kitchen, it adds a timeless elegance and charm, elevating the overall look and feel of the space. It’s a classic choice that never goes out of style and can complement a variety of design aesthetics. It doesn’t matter if you have a traditional, modern, or some style falling somewhere in between the two, hardwood flooring seamlessly blends in with your décor making your kitchen stand out.

Durability

With its durable nature, hardwood flooring can withstand the rigors of everyday kitchen activities, including spills, stains, and heavy foot traffic. Unlike other flooring materials, such as tile or linoleum, hardwood offers a natural beauty that only improves with age. Its smooth surface is easy to clean, making it ideal for the kitchen, an area where high traffic, spills, and stains are inevitable.

Easy Maintenance

What about maintaining a hardwood kitchen floor? Simple. Sweeping and occasional mopping will keep it looking pristine. These types of floors don’t trap dust, pet dander, or any other allergens like carpets do. This makes them a healthier choice for your home. With regular maintenance, a hardwood floor can last for decades, making it a practical choice to add value to your kitchen and home.

Versatility

Another benefit that adds value to your kitchen is how versatile hardwood flooring is. Whether you prefer a rustic farmhouse look or a modern chic style, this flooring will complement your design. It comes in a wide variety and range of wood species, finishes, and colors, allowing you to customize flooring to your taste.

Total Increased Home Value

The increased value will extend well beyond just the kitchen. Homes with hardwood flooring, especially in key areas like the kitchen, tend to sell for higher prices and attract more potential buyers, making it a valuable investment. The creation of a timeless and elegant look that hardwood flooring provides raises the overall value of your property. It’s an investment that pays off in the long run.

Bingham Lumber understands the importance of investing in quality. This is why we offer a wide range of hardwood flooring services designed to meet our customers’ needs. Our professional team of experts will help you choose the best hardwood species, finish, and installation method for your kitchen. Above we have provided significant reasons to invest in quality hardwood flooring, so contact us today to learn more about our services and how they can add value to your kitchen.

Crafting Character: The Timeless Allure of Hand-Hewn Beams

In the heart of our woodworking haven, where passion meets precision, we at Bingham Lumber take pride in presenting our hand-hewn wooden beams, meticulously crafted in our on-site millwork shop. Each piece is a testament to the artistry and dedication of our skilled craftsmen, ensuring that your furniture not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Let’s look into the world of bespoke design and discover the endless possibilities that come with these wooden beams and the furniture they create.

Historical Roots

Hand-hewn beams trace their origins to ancient woodworking traditions, with craftsmen using basic tools like adzes and axes to shape raw timber for construction, leaving a legacy that spans centuries. Much of the lumber we source was originally processed and hewn generations ago with these same methods, and they are evident on each piece of reclaimed wood within our mill. We strive to continue that legacy of craftsmanship with you, whether you wish to have fresh-cut lumber or reclaimed timber, we will provide you with furniture that is unique to your style.

Artisan Craftsmanship

The creation of hand-hewn beams is a meticulous process that involves the skilled hands of our artisans trained with over three generations of knowledge. Every inch of these beams is a tribute to the craftsmanship of those who shape, carve, and sculpt the wood while imbuing it with character and charm.

One of the hallmarks of our process is customization. We understand that every customer has unique tastes and needs, which is why we offer a range of options to tailor beams and furniture to perfection. Whether you prefer a rustic farmhouse style or a sleek modern design, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life.

From selecting the wood species to choosing the perfect finish, every aspect of your hand-hewn beams can be customized to suit your preferences. Our knowledgeable staff is here to guide you through the selection process, offering expert advice to help you create a piece that reflects your personal style.

Structural Resilience

Hand-hewn lumber is not only admired for its aesthetic appeal but also for its robust structural qualities. The deliberate shaping enhances its strength, making it a formidable load-bearing element suitable for the various needs your busy life creates.

Each piece is meticulously handcrafted with attention to detail, ensuring that every joint is tight, every surface is smooth, and every edge is crisp. Our beams are also built to be durable and functional. The result is a piece of furniture or structure that not only looks beautiful but also stands the test of time. It will possess a story that you pass down through your family line for generations to come.

Aesthetic Authenticity

The irregularities, tool marks, and varying textures on hand-hewn beams contribute to their authentic and rustic appearance. These characteristics make each beam a piece of art, showcasing the natural beauty of the wood and the craftsmanship involved.

At Bingham Lumber, we believe that wood and furniture should be more than just functional – it should be a work of art. With our hand-hewn beams, you can bring a touch of elegance and craftsmanship into your home. Contact us today or stop by our showroom to discover the beauty of bespoke woodworking today!

The Charm of Repurposed Wood: Enhancing Your Space with Custom Furniture

Wood, with its timeless character and versatility, has been a staple in construction and furniture for centuries. Now, as our society becomes more conscious of environmental needs and sustainability, there’s a growing interest in repurposing wood for our homes and offices. When it comes to repurposed wood, there are several advantages for custom furniture and remodeling projects.

Creativity and Customization

Repurposed wood is wonderfully versatile and can be used in a wide range of projects. From custom furniture pieces like tables, chairs, and bookshelves to larger projects like kitchen cabinets, our team at Bingham Lumber is able to take your ideas and combine them with our vast selection of reclaimed wood. The unique charm and character of reclaimed wood, matched with its versatility, allows your home or office to warmly reflect your personal style.

Each piece of our repurposed wood tells a rich story, bearing the marks of its previous life, such as nail holes, knots, and patina. These distinctions add depth and personality to any project, creating a wealth of comfort and inviting ambiance.

Durability and Quality

Repurposed wood often comes from “old-growth” trees, meaning the forest from where the trees came were left undisturbed and allowed to fully grow and mature, making them denser and more durable compared to the modern standard of newly harvested wood. This durability makes it an excellent choice for furniture and flooring, as it can withstand the usual wear and tear while keeping its beauty and composure over time.

Environmental Benefits

One of the more obvious advantages of using repurposed wood is its positive impact on our environment. By keeping perfectly good wood out of landfills, we reduce the demand for new timber, help conserve forests, and decrease the carbon footprint that comes from logging, processing, and transportation. This simple switch to repurposed wood significantly contributes to the preservation of our natural resources and gives new life to wood that can serve another purpose.

Historical Significance

Using reclaimed wood in your remodeling or furniture project can add a touch of history and cultural significance to your space. Much of our reclaimed wood is sourced from old barns, factories, and buildings from around the country, which adds a layer of meaning and a connection to our past. It’s an honorable way to enjoy the history of each piece and include its story into your life and home.

Cost-Effective Solution

In many cases, repurposed wood can be a cost-effective alternative to buying new timber, especially if you’re sourcing locally. While reclaimed wood may require additional processing, such as cleaning, planing, or refinishing, the overall cost is often lower than that of new, premium-grade wood. We recommend comparing expenses between the two varieties.

Repurposed wood offers a beautiful and sustainable solution for remodeling, custom furniture, and interior design projects. Beyond its positive environmental impact, reclaimed wood brings a unique character, history, and quality to your space. By choosing repurposed wood, you not only create a warm and inviting environment but also become a part of the larger movement toward responsible and sustainable design and construction. Enjoy the benefits of repurposed wood in your next project, and let its sustainable charm transform your space into something truly remarkable.

If you have been considering the possibilities of repurposed wood for your next project, contact us today. Our team is ready to field your questions and help you today!

Heritage and History: The Story Behind Barnwood’s Enduring Appeal

Reclaimed barnwood beams in our reclaimed beam annex

In our modern world, human craftsmanship has largely been replaced by quick, manufactured convenience. While that convenience may serve a purpose, the result has become a world where if you were to enter a town you might see that it bears a dull resemblance to the previous town you were just in, filled with hackneyed, overnight architecture. And people have taken notice of this loss of charm in our world for there is a growing fascination with preserving our cultural heritage and embracing a sense of history in our homes.

One design trend that has captured the attention of many is the allure of barnwood as interior decor. Barnwood, reclaimed from old barns and structures, has a rustic charm that adds character and warmth to any space. But beyond its surface appeal, barnwood holds a deeper story that connects us with the past and reminds us of the value of sustainability. Let’s explore the enduring appeal of barnwood and the rich history that lies within its weathered grains.

The History of Barnwood

Barnwood has a vast history that dates back to the early days of agriculture in the United States. From the 18th to the early 20th centuries, wooden barns were vital structures for farming communities, serving as shelter for livestock, storage for crops, and a workspace for farmers. These barns were typically constructed using local old-growth wood, often oak, pine, or chestnut, which contributed to their durability.

As time passed, many of these noteworthy barns fell into disrepair or were replaced by more modern structures. However, instead of allowing this precious wood to be wasted, craftsmen and enthusiasts began salvaging the barnwood and repurposing it for new uses, sparking the trend that we now see in contemporary design.

The Appeal of Barnwood

  1. Authenticity: Barnwood exudes a sense of authenticity that is impossible to replicate. Our reclaimed barnwood contains characteristics such as nail holes, insect markings, weather checking, knot structure, and a unique patina and texture that highlight the passage of time and a story that cannot be told anywhere else.
  2. Sustainability: With environmental needs becoming increasingly important, the use of reclaimed barnwood aligns perfectly with the principles of sustainability and eco-friendliness. Our wood samples are collected from reclaimed structures, allowing our communities to enjoy precious materials while also reducing the strain on our natural world.
  3. Rustic Charm: The rustic charm of barnwood appeals to those seeking a connection to simpler times and a desire to escape the lacking aesthetics of modern life. Introducing barnwood into your home brings a touch of warmth, creating spaces that feel inviting and cozy.
  4. Cultural Significance: Adorning our homes with barnwood recognizing and appreciating the hard work and ingenuity of our ancestors. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and honoring the legacy of those who built the foundation of our society.

Barnwood’s enduring appeal can be attributed to more than just its rustic allure. Its charm lies in the rich history it carries, the sustainability it represents, and the sense of warm authenticity it brings to our homes. By bringing barnwood into our homes, we connect with our past and make a conscious choice to value craftsmanship and tradition. If you have been wanting to add a warm, unique touch to your home, contact us today. Our team of specialists are happy to take your questions and help you today.

Wide Plank Flooring: A Trend or The Renewed Tradition?

Classic Wide Plank Oak Flooring

When it comes to improving the inside of our home, flooring plays a crucial role in defining the overall look and feel of a space. Among the many wood flooring options available, wide plank flooring has regained popularity in recent years, offering a unique and stylish appeal to many homes. At Bingham Lumber, we’ll dive into the world of wide plank flooring, unearth its history and benefits, and determine whether it’s the latest trend or the renewed tradition for the American home.

A Brief History

Wide plank flooring was the fashion in Early America because the land had a seemingly endless amount of old-growth forests loaded with huge trees. As the country entered the second half of the 19th Century, stock depleted and so did wider flooring planks. Narrow planks then became the standard for American homeowners until recently. With the increase in sustainable harvesting practices, wide plank flooring is returning to American interior design.

The Charm of Wide Plank Flooring

Wide plank flooring refers to floorboards that are significantly wider than standard planks. These wide boards typically range from 5 to 12 inches in width, with some going even broader, making them a striking visual element in any room.

One of the primary reasons why wide plank flooring has gained attention is its ability to create an open and spacious feel. With fewer seams and joints, the floor is less stimulating, and it allows for a seamless flow between rooms, making spaces appear more expansive and welcoming. Here are some of the perks of wide plank flooring:

  1. Aesthetics: Wide plank flooring gives a rustic, natural charm that complements different interior styles, from farmhouse to contemporary. Its wide, elegant boards add character and warmth to any room.
  2. Unique Appeal: Choosing wide plank flooring sets your home apart from the standard narrow plank options, providing a sense of exclusivity and individuality.
  3. Enhances Natural Beauty: Wide planks exhibit the natural patterns and grain of the wood more easily than narrow planks, allowing homeowners to admire the raw beauty of the material.
  4. Versatility: It can be installed in various ways, such as herringbone or diagonal patterns, enabling creative expression in interior design.

 

The Flipside: Narrow Plank Flooring

  1. Elegance: Narrow planks have been used for centuries and continue to maintain a timeless appeal that suits a wide range of architectural styles.
  2. Budget-Friendly: Standard plank flooring is often more cost-effective than wide plank options, making it a practical choice for homeowners on a budget.
  3. Stability: Narrow planks are less prone to expansion and contraction due to changes in humidity, making them a preferred option for certain climates.
  4. Wider Variety: Due to its mass use for several years, narrow flooring materials currently offer a broader range of options, from different wood species to various finishes and stains.

Wide plank flooring undeniably offers a captivating and contemporary allure that has made it a renewed feature in interior design. At the same time, the choice between embracing the return of this feature or sticking with more common flooring options ultimately comes down to your preference, budget, and the overall vision for your home. Whether you choose wide plank or narrow plank, your home’s beauty and charm will be elevated with quality wood flooring.

If you are stuck between a wide plank or narrow plank for your wood flooring, contact us today. Our specialists at Bingham Lumber are excited to help you!

From Waste to Wow: Exploring Salvaged Wood’s Creative Potential

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!

Beginning Your Wood Flooring Order

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.

Prefinished vs. Unfinished Wood Flooring: Which Is Best for Your Project?

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.

Guidelines for Installing Wood Floors on Concrete Subfloor

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!

Why Flooring Samples Are Important

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.

How to Sell Reclaimed Wood

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!

The Differences Between Hardwood and Softwood for Your Next Project

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!

Adding Style to Your Home with Reclaimed Barnwood

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!

What is Wood Recycling?

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.

Choosing the Best Wood Flooring for Your Home

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!

The Process of Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed barn beams come in a variety of sizes, shapes and dimensionsAntique 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.

Best Practices to Install Hardwood Flooring

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!

Dazzle Your Guests with Custom Furniture

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!

The Benefits of Wood Flooring in Your Kitchen

Classic Wide Plank Red Oak Flooring with a rough sawn and skip planed finishTraditional 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!

Bring Old Fashioned Craftsmanship to Your home with Hand-Hewn Beams

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!

What Hardwood Floor Finish is Right for You?

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!

How Wide-Plank Flooring Can Beautify Your Home

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.

Let Your Creativity Shine with Our Custom Millwork

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!

Bingham’s Heart and Soul Through the Years

As you can imagine, the lumber industry and the people who work within it have endured an ever-changing world and a significantly expanding market. Through it all, Bingham Lumber has not only endured but has developed into the company we are today. Our success is the result of the care and devotion of our dedicated team and our incredible customers who’ve inspired us with their creativity. Of course, all of this would not be possible without the foundational tenet that our founder, Don Bingham Sr., laid forth at our company’s founding in 1946: To provide quality lumber at a fair price with good, honest service. We’ve never lost sight of his intentions, and we have lived through our greatest experiences because of it. 

At Bingham Lumber, we’re proud to share that while our image has changed and updated over time, our core beliefs and dedication to you have never faltered and remain as resolute as the day we broke ground 75 years ago. Each day since then has been an opportunity to transform your dreams and ideas into beautifully crafted realities that will bring character and natural charm to your home or place of work. 

In 1946, Don Bingham took his intentions into the lumber business, owning and operating a wood shop and sawmill and providing quality care and attention to the needs of his customers. Today, through Don’s great grandson, Tom,  those same intentions thrive and live within what has become the modern, state-of-the-art campus we have now. Our desire to provide resources of the highest quality and our unbounded passion to lead the industry has led to our vast expansion into various services including beautifully reclaimed lumber. Bingham’s heart and soul run deep within a rich history filled with incredible progress, devastating loss, and inspirational rebuilding. To learn more about our history, please click here to see our story. 

Bingham Lumber is home to Tom’s family and a team of individuals that possess over 30 years of experience collaborating with designers, architects, and homeowners. We strive to bring the good, honest service that has provided us the greatest experiences these past 75 years, and if you are in need of quality lumber for your home, your business, or your next project, please feel free to contact us or stop by our shop!

The Creative Process Starts at Bingham Lumber

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.

How to Give Your New House Some Old Home Charm

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!

Are Wooden Kitchen Floors a Good Option?

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.

Make Your Mantel a Focal Point

Beam Mantel

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.

The Beauty of Sliding Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors are a favorite of interior designers because they are so versatile and add a unique charm to a wide range of architectural designs and interior tastes. From functional sliding access to closets and rooms to non-functional wall décor, a sliding barn door is a great choice for adding visual interest to your home.

Here at Bingham Lumber we construct custom sliding barn doors from reclaimed and classic plank materials, cut, assembled, and finished to your specifications. We are one of the area’s largest suppliers of reclaimed barn siding and other barn and farm building lumber, so we’re able to provide an authenticity and quality to our custom barn doors that is unmatched. Looking for something a little more modern? We also have our Classic Pine Selection for new wood to create a fresher, cleaner look that fits nicely with newly-constructed homes done in a rustic, Americana style.

Sliding barn doors are suitable for a variety of uses. Are you working with a smaller space and looking for some eye-catching wall décor to create a larger impression? A non-functional barn door and rail system installed on a wall using barn door hardware doesn’t have to lead anywhere but gives an impression of another room behind it, creating an attractive aura of mystery.

Another fun use for a sliding barn door is as a cover for a full length chalkboard surface painted on a wall. It’s a great way to attractively cover the often-messy result of kids’ creativity. Let them cover the chalkboard with the colorful output of their imaginations and then, at the end of their drawing session, simply roll the barn door over it to keep it safe and out of view for another day.

An attractive, painted barn door to match or complement your kitchen décor is perfect for hiding a walk-in pantry or other storage space. Its size and dimensions provide plenty of space to access the pantry while an antique wheel-and-rail transport system enables easy open-and-close.

If your home features an open floor plan for flexible space to accommodate different uses and create changeable divided areas, sliding barn doors are an ideal solution for versatile space dividers.

We can help you design a barn door that is not only one of a kind but also a perfect fit in your home. Each door is custom sized, priced, and crafted to your specific request. We invite you to stop by our showroom to see the many options available and get a custom quote.

Bring the History of Reclaimed Wood into Your Furniture Project

There is nothing quite like reclaimed wood for just about any woodworking project, especially furniture. To be clear, reclaimed lumber encompasses quite a bit of previously-used wood – it is not necessarily all old wood. Last year’s shipping pallets are just as much reclaimed wood as last century’s barn siding. The difference is in the eye of the beholder and what’s available.

Of course, nothing beats really old, aged timbers and planks reclaimed from old homes, farm buildings, commercial and even industrial structures. Quality older lumber is remarkably strong and stable and often available in dimensions simply unavailable in modern lumber. Add to this the coloring, texture, weathering and worn spots of decades- and even centuries-old wood and you’ve got stock with remarkable character.

If you weren’t already excited about using reclaimed wood for your next furniture project, hopefully you are now. But it’s important to realize that reclaimed wood needs some extra attention prior to working with it. It’s crucial to:

  • Make sure it’s kiln-dried to remove any remaining moisture (even really old wood can retain moisture) and to kill any insects that might be hiding
  • Inspect all reclaimed wood for hidden nails, screws, and other metal that can damage tools and equipment
  • Thoroughly clean old wood to remove dirt, dust, and embedded debris
  • Double-check dimensions: old wood typically features truer dimensions – 2x4s were really 2x4s – so know what you actually are working with as you plan your project and before you start cutting
  • Depending on the look you’d like to achieve with your furniture, you may want to retain as much of the older look as possible by doing minimal processing. Still, a light sanding is almost always in order – it will create a better surface to work with while still keeping its character

If you’re going for a cleaner, more finished look that takes down a bit more surface material, don’t worry – the tighter grain and coloration of older reclaimed wood is unmistakable and still provides plenty of unique charm to the finished piece. It’s important to remember, though, that if you rip pieces down, the exposed fresh lumber will be distinctly different from uncut surfaces. If you’re resizing pieces but want to retain the old look on all surfaces you may have to rip some reclaimed wood veneers to cover the fresh cuts.

We love reclaimed wood here at Bingham Lumber and take pride in the wide assortment of reclaimed siding, timbers, beams, planking, trim, and more that we have in stock and obtain regularly as it becomes available — all responsibly sourced from trusted suppliers. We’d be happy to help you find just the right reclaimed wood for your next furniture project.

Create an Eye-Catching Accent Wall

Our Reclaimed Kendall Road Flooring used as a wall paneling.

There is perhaps nothing more “ho-hum” in home décor and interior design than four walls painted in the same boring shade. If you are looking for a way to add some excitement to a room, consider adding an eye-catching accent wall. An accent wall is simply a wall with a different look than the rest of the walls. It can include a wide range of elements: color, texture, materials, and finish, to name a few. 

Wood is an especially versatile material to use to create an accent wall. Reclaimed lumber such as barn siding, old hardwood flooring, recycled door panels, even deconstructed pallets are all prime candidates for accent wall use. 

One particularly versatile and flexible trick is to use moulding to create dimension and patterns to an otherwise plain wall. It doesn’t require a special skill set or exotic tools, just a willingness to use your imagination and put in a little effort. Here are the tools and materials you’ll need to create a moulding accent wall: 

  • Various strips of moulding (depending on your design and wall size)
  • Miter saw
  • Nail gun and finish nails
  • Paint color(s) of choice
  • Paint brush
  • Measuring tape
  • Long level

Steps to create a wood accent wall: 

  1. Get inspired There are lots of online resources such as Pinterest and DIY websites to find great design ideas and examples of finished projects. Feeling especially creative? Take several ideas you really like and combine them in a new and inventive way.
  2. Install baseboards first No matter what kind of finished accent wall you end up with, you’ll generally want baseboards, so install those first as reference for the placement of other elements. 
  3. Establish a focal point This is a spot on your wall that will draw attention first. It can be a framed element, a window, or an initial pattern established by your moulding strips. 
  4. Find the center Your focal point may not always be in the center of the wall, so once you establish it measure your wall to determine the true center and mark it to guide placement of any additional elements. If you’re dividing your wall into quadrants and making squares with your moulding, use the miter saw to make nice, clean square joints. 
  5. Finish your design If you’re using your moulding to create patterns or frames to contain other elements, finish them off with a coat of paint, perhaps caulking first to fill in the seams and create a really clean look.

In our example, using moulding to create a pattern on your wall can be beautiful enough that it can stand alone as a statement wall, or can be used as actual frames for artwork or photography.

Not sure if this type of wall is your style? No problem – there are lots of other wood accent walls you can create that are simpler to construct, such as wood paneling using an interesting product like reclaimed barnwood that has some unique coloring and texture.

Whatever kind of accent wall you’re considering, you can always ask the wood and design experts here at Bingham Lumber for advice. We’re happy to help!

Kitchen Dining Expansion

Wide Plank White Pine Flooring in Wide Widths and a Knotty Grade

The timeless beauty of wood and its durability are just two of the qualities that make it the ideal material for expanding and integrating kitchen and dining space in homes of all sizes and architectural styles. House and furniture designers have always used wood in all its splendid grains and textures to decorate and embellish. Today with the push to recycle, designers hunt for flooring, siding, and timbers found in old barns and textile mills and use it to fashion something new from something old.  

One of the most popular interior design styles used to tie kitchens and dining areas together is the old farmhouse style accentuated with natural wood. Done correctly, reclaimed and upcycled wood from true rural settings make attractive and durable additions when creating modern kitchens and eating areas. Fortunately, many current brands of cabinet finishes and other furnishings are offering modern equivalents of antique looks, making it easier to incorporate them into modern construction with minimal maintenance required. 

The kitchen is a wonderful place to introduce the richness that wood brings to a highly-utilized area of the house. Reclaimed and recycled wood inside a house lends an unmistakable country air to a home. Use it to create dramatic backsplashes and dining area wall accents. Antique metal fixtures hanging from a wood beam are reminiscent of an old mill. When the entire wall is paneled in richly-textured, aged wood paneling, it provides the old-timey feel you might see in a log cabin kitchen corner.   

The table, of course, is the centerpiece for most kitchens and dining rooms. Building a custom table from reclaimed wood creates a wonderfully unique piece of heirloom furniture that can be made to fit the expanded space and help tie it together, providing usable space for food preparation and dining. 

Of course, it’s hard to beat the beauty of a well-placed barn rafter that can be used to draw the eye from one area to the other, seamlessly unifying the two spaces. Likewise, wide plank flooring can be put to good use providing a timeless, singular look that offers warm appeal while offering an easy-to-clean surface in this high traffic area. 

At Bingham Lumber, we have the expertise and the lumber products to help you make your kitchen and dining room expansion project a reality. Check out this modern farmhouse kitchen project we were a part of, providing many of the materials used to bring it to life. Bring us your kitchen and dining space expansion ideas and we can help make your project come to life, too!

Upcycling: How to Turn an Old Door into a New Table

Nothing provides a greater sense of satisfaction than taking something old and turning it into something new and useful. If you’re at all handy with some basic tools, you can “upcycle” worn-out elements of your home or salvaged materials you’ve acquired into attractive, functional new items. It’s a creative way to save money and the planet by recycling old materials instead of throwing them away. 

Even seemingly single-use items such as doors can be turned into something new and unique. Turning a door into an informal dining table makes for a highly-creative, “green” item that can be a real conversation starter. 

Of course, doors come in all kinds of designs, colors, and makes – flat wood, six-panel and four-panel designs, doors with glass insets, and more. Don’t have any old doors in your basement, attic, or garage? You can easily find them in antique shops, flea markets, and tag sales. 

One interesting idea for a dining or kitchen table is turning an old door into a “family-recipe table” – taking old recipe cards you may have from your parents or grandparents and mounting them in the recessed door panels to turn the table into a large shadow box. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Find an interesting four- or six-panel door and start by removing any hardware, thoroughly cleaning it, and chipping off any old paint or varnish. If you have any old screw holes, deep scratches, or other surface blemishes that are visible, fill them and sand the entire surface smooth.
  • Purchase a set of four tubular metal table legs, available online and in many home improvement stores, and mount them to the table corners using wood screws inserted into pre-drilled holes. TIP: place your drill bit against the edge of the table and mark it with a piece of tape to ensure you don’t drill through the entire door.
  • Paint the inside of each recessed door panel in whatever color you like to complement or contrast the rest of the door.
  • Gather an appropriate number of old recipe cards to fit within each panel and mount them with decoupage glue. Choose family-favorite recipes as well as interesting-looking cards that might include doodles or different ink colors to add visual interest

Mount a pre-cut clear acrylic sheet, approximately ¼” thick, to the tabletop using screws or glue to secure it. That’s it! You can now enjoy a unique, highly-personal kitchen or dining table with your family and friends.

Evoke a Simpler Time with a Rustic, Rural Look

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.

Consider Using Reclaimed Wood in Your Home

Custom Reclaimed Tables and Islands
Reclaimed Oak Island Top

Regardless of whether you have an older home or are building a brand-new one, reclaimed wood is an excellent architectural and décor accent that can add personality, interest, and uniqueness to your abode. But what exactly is reclaimed wood? Loosely defined, it’s wood that has been used in previous building or woodworking projects, and it’s often found at recycling centers, at the junkyard, from properties with old or demolished buildings, or even online.

A word of caution, though: with the explosion in popularity of reclaimed wood, growing demand has also caused a surge in reclaimed lumber from questionable sources that are of low quality. That’s why it’s important to know what to look for – and to go through a reputable dealer you can trust, such as Bingham Lumber. If you happen to have your own source for reclaimed wood, here are some helpful tips for choosing good wood: 

  • Make sure the wood is dry and tight. Damp or degraded wood are signs that it is less than optimal and no amount of sanding and refinishing is going to fix that.
  • Make sure the wood is stable. Check for things like soft or moldy spots and active insect holes.
  • Have a good idea of what you’re looking for. Want a western, frontier effect? Look for rougher, weathered reclaimed barn wood. Attempting a softer, antique look? Select gently worn, smoother wood, such as reclaimed hardwood flooring.
  • Be safety-conscious. Some reclaimed wood has old nails, screws, and bits of wire still embedded in it. Be sure to carefully examine your wood and remove any potentially-dangerous items. Old paint could contain lead that should be carefully removed.

Once you have your reclaimed wood in hand, here are 8 ways you can incorporate it into your home to create a variety of different effects:

  1. Kitchen island paneling Center islands can be functional and fashionable. Use reclaimed wood to cover the sides of your kitchen island and dramatically change the appearance of what is probably the most popular room in your home. 
  2. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets Similar in effect as covering a center island, cabinets faced with reclaimed wood oozes rustic charm. Add simple, iron knobs or pulls to complete the look. 
  3. Room accent wall Reclaimed wood with distinctive markings such as knots, a deep grain, and contrasting visual textures can complement all kinds of furniture and turn a room from drab to dramatic. Makes a great backdrop for a bed or sofa.
  4. Exterior siding This requires just the right structure, but exterior siding reclaimed from old barn siding can be used just like traditional wood siding. This might work best for a rustic summer home in the woods or mountains, a small getaway cabin, or even a backyard shed. 
  5. A western bar Forget tiki-, Vegas- or sports-themed bars – a walkup bar with rustic hand-hewn beams and reclaimed wood cabinets and paneling creates an authentic western feel that’s just right for conjuring up images of thirsty cowboys ponying up to the bar for a drink. 
  6. Built-in beds Make simple, solid platform beds with drawers underneath for durable, cost-efficient sleeping space in a kid’s bedroom or guest room. 
  7. Wood beam accents Reclaimed structural beams can add sturdy charm as a fireplace mantel, a base for mounting ceiling lights and, in the right situation, a structural element for a weight-bearing wall and ceiling or roof beam. 
  8. Stairway accent Many homeowners like to hang photos or artwork on stairway walls – but why put them on a boring painted wall when you can give them a dramatic backdrop with reclaimed wood paneling?

 Learn more about these and other tips for using reclaimed wood in and around your home – better yet, stop by Bingham Lumber and talk with our helpful reclaimed wood experts.

How to Build Regulation Cornhole Set

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.

But just in case you’ve somehow missed all the hubbub about cornhole, here’s a quick summary of the game, according to the American Cornhole Organization (ACO – yes, there is such a thing): 

“Cornhole or Corn Toss is similar to horseshoes except you use 2 wooden boxes called cornhole platforms or boards and corn bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes. The boards are placed 27 feet apart, from front edge to front edge. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the cornhole platform until a contestant reaches the score of 21 points. A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform scores 1 point. Scoring can be fast and the lead may change hands several times in a match before the winner is decided. The game is generally played tournament style with an individual or team being named the champion at the end of the tournament.” 

The game has become so popular, it might be hard to find a game set to buy. Fortunately, we’re going to share instructions for building your own so you can be the neighborhood hero. You’ll first need a few materials: 

  • (2) 24″ x 48″ pieces of 1/2″ plywood for the surface
  • (4) 2×4 x 48″ for the frame
  • (4) 2×4 x 21″ for the frame
  • (4) 2×4 x 11-1/2″ for the legs
  • 1-lb. box of 1-5/8″ deck screws
  • 1-lb. box of 3″ deck screws
  • (4) 1/2″ x 4″ carriage bolts with (4) washers and (4) wing nuts
  • wood putty
  • exterior-grade paint
  • primer 

You’ll also need some tools: 

  • jigsaw
  • measuring tape
  • compass
  • drill with drill bit and Phillips-head screw bit
  • 1/2″ drill bit
  • clamps
  • circular saw
  • random orbit sander
  • paint roller 

The ACO states that platforms must be a 48″ x 24″ rectangle made from 1/2-inch plywood. The front of the platform stands 2-1/2 to 4 inches tall and the back of the platform sits 12 inches off the ground. The plans for this project follow those requirements. 

Now you’re ready to begin building: 

  1. Construct the platforms

Cut the plywood into two 2’ x 4’ sections and the 2x4s to the length specified. Use 3″ screws to fasten the 2x4s into a box with the 21-inch pieces inside the 48-inch pieces to form a 2’ x 4’ box. Lay the plywood on top of the box, use the plywood to square up the 2×4 frame. Fasten the plywood onto the frame with 1-5/8” screws. 

  1. Cut and fit the legs

Cut a 2×4 to 11-1/2” for the four legs. Make a full 3-1/2″ radius cut on one end of each leg. To make the cut, measure 1-3/4″ down the length of the 2×4 and draw a line across it. Place a compass point centered on that line then draw the arc. Use a jigsaw to make the cut. Turn the box upside down; lay a leg parallel, flush up against one of the top corners with the radius side in the corner. Clamp into place. From inside the box, mark the center of the 2×4 vertically inside the radius. Drill a 1/2″ hole through the side of the box and the support leg. 

  1. Attach the legs

Install the carriage bolt through both holes and attach with a washer and a wing nut. Check for operation — see if the legs fold up and down inside of the platform. Adjust the radius top if it makes contact anywhere (use a sander to do this). 

  1. Cut the leg ends

To cut the angle on the bottom of the leg, turn the box right-side up and set it on a worktable with the legs tucked under. Place a block (or anything that will hold it up) under the box so that the back of the platform is 12 inches off the tabletop. Slide the box to the edge of the table, pull down the leg closest to the edge so that it hangs just over the table edge. Using the tabletop as a guide, draw a straight line across the bottom of the 2×4. Repeat for the opposite side. Cut the ends off using a circular saw. 

  1. Cut the cornholes

To find the center point for the hole, mark 9″ down from the top and 12″ in from each side on both platforms. Use a compass to mark a 6″ diameter circle around the spot that you marked. Pre-drill a hole along the edge of the circle large enough to accept the jigsaw blade. Remove the drill and use a jigsaw to cut out the circle. Sand the edges of the hole smooth. 

  1. Sand and paint

Sand the entire board and around all edges, including inside the circle. Putty all screw holes. Prime the entire box and re-sand when dry. Wipe clean with light, damp cloth, and paint with an exterior-grade paint (we used a high-gloss). Decorate to your liking — we painted standard triangles on our boards from the hole down to both corners. To do this, stretch blue painter’s tape in the shape you want, and paint the desired area. 

  1. Make your bags

To make the cornhole beanbags, sew four 6-inch by 6-inch bags from durable fabric — such as duck canvas — in the color of your choice. Then sew another four bags in a contrasting color. Fill each bag with 15 to 16 ounces of hard corn kernels or a synthetic substitute of roughly the same density. Then sew the open seams closed. 

There, you’re all done! You’re now ready to play cornhole with family and friends. Have fun!

How to Replace a Threshold

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. 

In an older home an exterior threshold is often constructed with a sturdy hardwood such as oak to handle a lot of abuse from foot traffic and weather — but it can only withstand so much. If your threshold is in rough shape, it’s probably time to replace it. 

Installing a new threshold and sill will take between two and three hours. Protect your floors with a drop cloth before you begin, and make sure you’re comfortable with basic carpentry skills.  

Here are ten basic steps for replacing an old wooden threshold:

  • Remove the old threshold from the doorway using a hammer and reciprocating saw.
  • Use reciprocating saw to cut the nails securing toekick; remove toekick.
  • Test-fit new threshold in doorway.
  • Build up toekick and subfloor with pressure-treated lumber; re-install toekick.
  • Apply a bead of tri-polymer caulk to the joint between the finished floor and new threshold.
  • Install new threshold, then tap shims underneath.
  • Close the door and check for an even gap along the threshold.
  • Open the door, and apply expanding polyurethane sealant under the threshold.
  • Close the door, then tap shims between door bottom and top of threshold; leave shims in place until the sealant cures.
  • Sand threshold, then finish with an exterior paint or stain and topcoat that contains a ultra-violet protector. 

Most exterior thresholds also have a sill beneath them. If the threshold is rotted, the sill probably is, too. The sill is beveled on one side to drain water away from the house. It fits tightly between wall studs and under the jambs and casing, so it has to be cut before it can be removed.

At Bingham Lumber, we have all the materials you’ll need to renovate your entryway, making it look better and protect your home better from the elements. For a closer look at replacing a wood threshold, check out this video.

Learning New Skills: Woodworking Projects for Kids

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. 

 Here are three kid-friendly woodworking projects that are perfect for a wide range of youngsters:

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DIY Decorating Ideas: Turning Old Windows into New Decor

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. 

One element in particular often gets overlooked when people salvage materials from old buildings – windows. This is a shame because windows are highly useful, versatile features that can be repurposed for almost unlimited new uses.

Here are just a few basic window-repurposing ideas that can be simple and easy DIY projects for homeowners of all skill level:

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Bright Ideas for Using Reclaimed Wood in Home Renovation

Reclaimed Antique Oak Island TopRenovating 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.

Beautiful old wood detailing such as tongue-and-grove ceilings, wide plank flooring, exposed support beams, and horizontal lapboard siding, can often be restored to its original splendor with just a good cleaning, light sanding, and a transparent finish to bring out the inherent character of the wood or a fresh coat of paint to brighten it up.

Wood that has suffered over the years can be replaced with reclaimed and recycled wood harvested from old buildings slated for demolition. In fact, a lot of reclaimed wood not being used for flooring can often be left pretty much alone, except for the previously-mentioned cleaning, and be used in a variety of new roles, such as cabinetry, wall paneling, and accent pieces. Even mismatched pieces can be used as decorative paneling and kitchen island construction, creating a dramatic, creative statement that complements your home.

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How to Hang Solid Wood Floating Shelves

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.

Start with a piece of solid wood at least one inch thick and five inches deep. Here at Bingham Lumber we have plenty of beautiful, reclaimed lumber from old barns and houses that would make ideal floating shelving that’s practical and attractive for any room. Depending on the length of the shelf, you’ll need at least two floating shelf brackets, available in just about any hardware store for less than ten dollars a pair.

Other tools and materials needed include:

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Wood Floors and Radiant Heat

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).

The comfort level of the floor surface is the key to determining what temperature is necessary to achieve proper comfort. Building occupants – especially homeowners who might be more inclined to walk around without shoes — may feel uncomfortable with floor surfaces that are too warm or too cool.

To provide adequate comfort, many factors must be taken into account, including the size of the room, the construction of the home, R-value of the windows, HVAC systems, the number and age of the occupants, and the interior finishes that may be directly affected by these requirements.

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Happy 250th Birthday, Brookline!

Nissitissit Covered Bridge in Brookline, NH

This year marks the 250th anniversary of our great little town, Brookline, New Hampshire. Although, we weren’t always Brookline – when the town was first chartered back in 1769, it was named Raby by New Hampshire Governor John Wentworth after his English cousin, the 4th Earl of Strafford and Baron of Raby Castle.

Almost thirty years later the town was renamed Brookline at the suggestion of a highly imaginative leading citizen originally hailing from Brookline, Massachusetts. Consistent with a trend that existed throughout New England since it was first settled, newly established towns and villages were often named for the place from which the settlers came, sometimes – in a fit of creativity – adding “New” to it, such as New Braintree, Massachusetts and New Britain, Connecticut. In this case, it took almost three decades for someone to make the suggestion to name Brookline after Brookline MA.

And while Bingham Lumber isn’t 250 years old (yet) we have a historic past, too. Our owner, Tom Bingham, is the latest in a long line of lumbermen in his family. His great grandfather and great uncle owned a wood-turning and custom wood shop and both his grandfathers owned sawmills. The second Bingham generation (Tom’s father, aunt and uncle) moved their mill, Bingham Lumber, from Fitchburg, MA here to Brookline in 1973. The mill grew and thrived until 2000 when the tides changed for the sawmill industry in New Hampshire.

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Reclaimed Factories: Recycling the world’s most rugged and beautiful wood

New England abounds with old factories that hark back to the earliest days of the American Industrial Revolution. Massive brick-and-wood structures that once lined the banks of New England rivers have long since fallen silent, many transformed into condominiums and office space.

But some of these old factories are too far gone for that kind of restoration. Instead, they’re being reclaimed for their beautiful, durable lumber. They are filled with enormous weight-bearing beams hewn from old growth timber and gorgeous wide plank flooring exhibiting the unique wear and coloration that can only come from decades of contact with feet and machinery.

One of the most prized woods found in old factories is long-leaf pine, cut and hauled north from southern forests after the Civil War. Some experts say the Industrial Revolution was built on long-leaf pine which, before steel became available, was considered the most durable building material around. In fact, long leaf pine was used extensively in New York City during the building boom in the late 1800’s – it was even used in the foundation of the Brooklyn Bridge.

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Reclaimed Barns

Reclaimed BarnsThroughout 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.

There are a number of reasons to recycle old lumber from reclaimed barns, starting with the recycled wood’s unique characteristics:

Physical Appearance- There is nothing on the market today that compares to reclaimed barn wood. Many of these old barns were built over a hundred years ago using virgin timber that no longer exists. Much of this wood has been gently weathered and features unique coloring, beautiful grain patterns and knot structure, insect markings, and nail holes that add character and charm to the wood. Properly handled and processed for modern use, the beauty and functionality of recycled lumber is unmatched.

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Reclaimed Stock in the Lumber Barn

Age and character is what these pieces are all about. Nail holes, actual nails and color variation can be found in these pieces.

As the popularity of reclaimed lumber grows, we see more and more individuals walking through our doors with inspirational photos from Pinterest, Houzz, and various HGTV programs for their weekend project. These tools are priceless to us, as they give us a clear picture of what you’re looking for. The challenge has always been to give you a clear picture of what the reclaimed lumber could turn into and we think we have achieved just that with our new racks and displays.

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