Recycled lumber: Is it safe?

[Gulph]

I'm planning to build a porch awning (roof) over an existing patio, and have been looking at salvaged lumber for the structure. It's way oversized stuff by modern standards -- 6x6s and 6x8s. I live near Philadelphia where, unfortunately, someone is always taking down a 200- or 300-year old building.

I mentioned this to the builder I might use and he has really been talking the whole idea of using old wood. He said wood gets compressed over time so, if a piece has been used horizontally, it might not hold if it's used vertically -- as a post, for instance. Then, he mentioned "all the work" of pulling out old nails, etc. He seemed unreasonably down on the idea.

I thought anything that wasn't rotted or split would be useable. Am I hopelessly naive?

Mark

 

[Duane Bozarth]

I'm planning to build a porch awning (roof) over an existing patio, and have been looking at salvaged lumber for the structure. It's way oversized stuff by modern standards -- 6x6s and 6x8s. I live near Philadelphia where, unfortunately, someone is always taking down a 200- or 300-year old building.

I mentioned this to the builder I might use and he has really been talking the whole idea of using old wood. He said wood gets compressed over time so, if a piece has been used horizontally, it might not hold if it's used vertically -- as a post, for instance. Then, he mentioned "all the work" of pulling out old nails, etc. He seemed unreasonably down on the idea.

I thought anything that wasn't rotted or split would be useable. Am I hopelessly naive?

No, he's blowing smoke in an attempt to avoid using new, consistently dimensioned framing lumber. It <is> more effort to use old timber/lumber, but unless it is damaged in some way, it will almost certainly be stronger than currently milled "plantation-grown" structural lumber.

 

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I'm planning to build a porch awning (roof) over an existing patio, and have been looking at salvaged lumber for the structure. It's way oversized stuff by modern standards -- 6x6s and 6x8s. I live near Philadelphia where, unfortunately, someone is always taking down a 200- or 300-year old building.

I mentioned this to the builder I might use and he has really been talking the whole idea of using old wood. He said wood gets compressed over time so, if a piece has been used horizontally, it might not hold if it's used vertically -- as a post, for instance. Then, he mentioned "all the work" of pulling out old nails, etc. He seemed unreasonably down on the idea.

More work for him. Old growth lumber is generally denser, tighter spacing on the annual rings. Yes, it will take a little more work but I think you get better results. Chances are it must be re-sawn, sanded or planed. A metal detector is good to find those nails.

 

[Toller]

Well sure, that is why all the 200 year old buildings simply fall down.

Besides, if you are oversizing the lumber, what do you care if it gets a bit weaker?

 

[BocesLib]

I think the point is in saying that while the lumber if its old and in good condition may be fine to use, the other problems such as nails and unusual sizing may make the project for a contractor unrealistic. Unless of course the owner insists and covers the extra expense of using the old materials.

 

[TURTLE]

I still remember the toughest job I ever did. In 1970 I tore down a one-car garage built in the '30s. The goddamn wood just would not let go of a nail! I had to knock 2x4s apart with a 12-pound sledge!

I could have built a bank vault out of the wood used in that garage.

The wood will be fine. More than fine.

This is Turtle.

You sure you was not getting Oak boards off the garage for they will be hell to take down. It will take a 3 foot crawl bar to pull a 10 penny nail out.

TURTLE

 

[Duane Bozarth]

....

You sure you was not getting Oak boards off the garage for they will be hell to take down. It will take a 3 foot crawl bar to pull a 10 penny nail out.

Not necessarily...SYP after it fully cures is about as difficult. Many others have similar characteristics. Really only the soft pines aren't prone to it. Even Doug Fir gets pretty doggone hard w/ time...

 

[Gulph]

Thanks, folks. You've pretty much confirmed what I suspected, i.e., that there was extra work involved that my guy didn't want to do. I'll probably just find a different contractor who is less whiny.

I only regret that, after talking to this guy, I cancelled my order with a salvager who had -- among other things -- a 32-foot straight-as-an-arrow 6x6. When cut, it would have provided the four posts I need for this project.

But there will be another old building coming down next week.

Thanks

Mark

 

[Edwin Pawlowski]

a salvager who had -- among other things -- a 32-foot
straight-as-an-arrow 6x6. When cut, it would have provided the four posts I need for this project.

Most of us have never seen anything that long in one piece of wood. Be sure you have a good roof rack to bring it home.

 

[L M]

I'm planning to build a porch awning (roof) over an existing patio, and have been looking at salvaged lumber for the structure. It's way oversized stuff by modern standards -- 6x6s and 6x8s. I live near Philadelphia where, unfortunately, someone is always taking down a 200- or 300-year old building.

I mentioned this to the builder I might use and he has really been talking the whole idea of using old wood. He said wood gets compressed over time so, if a piece has been used horizontally, it might not hold if it's used vertically -- as a post, for instance. Then, he mentioned "all the work" of pulling out old nails, etc. He seemed unreasonably down on the idea.

I thought anything that wasn't rotted or split would be useable. Am I hopelessly naive?

Mark

You could probably build a bridge with that stuff.
Get the old lumber and a new builder.

 

[blueman]

More work for him. Old growth lumber is generally denser, tighter spacing on the annual rings. Yes, it will take a little more work but I think you get better results. Chances are it must be re-sawn, sanded or planed. A metal detector is good to find those nails.

But builder may still be trying to help you since more work for him means more $$$ for you, especially since labor costs usually far outweigh material costs.

Personally, I would use old lumber if the beams were used as part of the visual design or if one were doing an accurate restoration and wanted to be "true" through-and-through.

Otherwise, probably cheaper to get the same structural results by overdesigning the lumber dimensions but use new stock.