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Steve Thomas is the host of Planet Green's Renovation Nation, a program that focuses on making green renovations to homes across the country. In his regular column on PlanetGreen.com, Steve goes behind the scenes of the show and offers additional tips and insight on green renovation.
There are a couple great things about repurposed lumber. First off, you save a tree. Literally. If you don't repurpose the lumber and you can't use it, then it gets burned, which has some use, or it ends up in a landfill which has no use whatsoever. So by repurposing it, you literally saved trees from being chopped down.
Old growth lumber tends to be of higher quality. It grew slower. The growth rings are closer together. It resists rot better. It often has more character. The "bordello lumber" from the Greenest House in America Episode has a great story to it. If I recall correctly, it was long-leaf southern pine, so it looks good.
People love stories. One of the reasons that people love old houses is that old houses have a story. Repurposed lumber is a way to give your house some character and a story.
Don't miss the Greenest House in America Episode of Renovation Nation for more on repurposed lumber.
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