If you have been following the past couple of years’ interior design trends, you are most probably aware of the terms reclaimed wood and shiplap. Popular home improvement shows feature these quite frequently in their projects, creating quite a demand for accent walls, features, and furniture pieces.

However, some might not know the difference between the two. If you plan your next home-project and cannot make up your mind, then here is all you need to know about reclaimed wood vs. shiplap.

Shiplap

Shiplap is a popular feature in the more rustic kind of buildings, such as barns, sheds, and others. However, over the past few years, interior design made it a household name by featuring it in a variety of ways. The preparation process before installation is what makes shiplap unique. Builders typically install the cut pieces horizontally, and the grooves allow each plank to overlap the other. You get neat fittings with shiplap and an interlocking system resulting from the overlapping effect.

The interlocking system, which we refer to as tongue and groove, offers two advantages. Firstly, it seals well against the weather, and secondly, the lumber has more possibilities to expand and contract as the humidity needs dictate. This way, your lumber is less vulnerable to cracking and buckling.

History

Initially, shiplap remained in everyday use for exterior siding as a material for shipbuilding in the Viking age. The overlapping boards covered the hull to keep off the water. However, as is with any protective exterior in natural wood, a lot of upkeep was necessary. Thus, shiplap soon lost much of people’s favor as siding when more varieties of weather-resistant and sustainable materials came into being.

Modern Take On Shiplap

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Over the past recent years, the modern movements in interior design brought shiplap back as a popular material but with more possibilities than mere siding. We saw contemporary farmhouse styles in the homes and shiplap walls for adding a natural element and character, especially in modern homes where crown molding and similar decorative flourishes were not possible.

Let’s look at the pros and cons that made shiplap a popular feature in interior design:

Pros

What tops the desirability of shiplap is its affordability. It is a budget-friendly material, making it convenient for homeowners to get a lovely makeover on a very reasonable budget. If you choose an inexpensive wood for your shiplap cut, such as pinewood, you will cover a ten by ten-foot space under $200.
As we mentioned before, the fascinating innovations in interior design made it possible to use shiplap anywhere in the homes. Thus, one can create a ceiling from a shiplap, an entire wall, an entryway, a backsplash in your kitchen, and even the bathroom. For something that can give you massive coverage all at a reasonable cost, no one would be able to resist grabbing it.
The installation process of shiplap is quite convenient and not time-consuming. You only need to paint it or stain it depending on your décor theme and watch your space come to life with just a little more effort.

Cons

Contrary to what many think, shiplap does not blend with every home décor. Your home may end up looking cliché and fail to work for a particular space. The material may be inexpensive for your pocket, but it may not have the effect you originally envisioned.
If you go even slightly wrong while installing the shiplap, it may rot or warp very soon. This is especially pertinent if you plan to install a shiplap in the basement or your bathroom where moisture can easily seep in.
Most people who have prior experience with shiplap in their homes describe it as a magnet attracting dust. Dust quickly accumulates between grooves and gaps and can give a dirty, unkempt look. No one appreciates his or her home carrying a dirty look all the time. So unappealing!

Reclaimed Wood – Why It Is Superior to Shiplap

You can buy these reclaimed wood planks here

Reclaimed wood needs no introduction. We all love high-quality, upgraded wood from multiple sources, such as old barns, bowling alleys, sheds, wine casts, retired ships, factories, and more. If we are honest, we all love the rustic, weathered, and natural charm, this expensive and qualitative material brings. With all the fine attributes reclaimed wood possesses, it is not hard to guess why it takes the upper hand when the choice narrows down between shiplap and reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood lives for centuries and decades. When you are fortunate to have it in your home, you can spend your life content with the aura of mystery, historical significance, untold stories, and sustainability it provides.

No other material can beat the uniqueness and beautifully aged look of reclaimed lumber. The whispers of the past and the closeness of nature fill your space with warmth, no matter where you use it, whether, in your business space or your home.

Let’s look at all the reasons reclaimed wood is the best choice of material for your space:

Sustainability

You can but these reclaimed wood planks here

Flooring options such as carpeting and linoleum make use of non-renewable materials. If you go for brand-new wood flooring, it ultimately results in deforestation and many problems for the environment. Reclaimed wood is primarily desirable and so valuable because it preserves our environment by saving us the need to chop down new trees. It is free of any adverse effects and does not damage the environment.

The world considers trees as renewable resources, but the unfathomable number that we chop down annually devastated our wildlife, the environment, and the local communities. Using reclaimed wood reduces landfill waste, deforestation, and protects the environment. It lives for years and does not cause any harm to your health and your home.

Revives The Life Of Old Wood

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For those whose conscience does not allow them to waste the earth’s resources, reclaimed wood is yet another jewel in that regard. This wood’s beauty is that regardless of its age, its functionality never diminishes unless you destroy it beyond salvaging. You can breathe new life into reclaimed lumber at any point and reuse the beautiful piece of wood. If we look at USDA reports, they state that the buildings demolished each year produce approximately a billion feet of reusable wood. Imagine the piece of history you purchase when you pay for your reclaimed lumber.

You can pull down that barn your family-owned decades ago and create some wonderful fixtures or another feature to uplift your home’s interiors. Why destroy the environment and bring in virgin wood when recycled reclaimed lumber can bring tons of vintage charm and wooden wealth for your generations to enjoy?

Durability

You can buy these reclaimed wood planks here

If we consider the Janka scale, reclaimed wood is forty points stronger than virgin wood in comparison. This is mainly because reclaimed wood belonged to the old-growth forest when generations of trees grew naturally without technological interference, so their fiber is denser. The old-growth trees matured naturally and developed all the elements that sustain them for centuries without warping or shrinking easily. None of the virgin trees we have today can stand firm against reclaimed wood in strength and durability. Reclaimed wood comes from trees that matured for ages, developed elements to fight against extreme weather, and still stand strong.

Certain features of the home are typically huge investments, such as the flooring. Thus, homeowners always prefer a material that would not change in appearance for years, would survive despite the humidity and extreme temperatures, would be highly durable and easy to maintain. Reclaimed wood ticks all the right boxes in this regard too.

Nothing can beat the Originality

You can buy these reclaimed wood planks here

In a world where everything we buy comes from mass production, reclaimed wood offers us refreshing originality. Shiplap will mostly look cliché wherever you observe it, but reclaimed wood will never have two features looking the same. Even if you live in a block with twenty houses and all contain reclaimed wood features, each will look unique and wholly original. We challenge you to give us one reason to dislike this quality!

Irrespective of our status, we all love to have a one-of-a-kind creation in our home. Which other material can give us the personalized and distinctive look that reclaimed wood can? The distinct lines and the unique markings on the reclaimed wood all add to this divine wood’s charm and appeal. You do not even need to stain it or paint it to disguise them because the beautiful flaws only create an intricate and natural design.

Final Thoughts

If someone were to ask us, we would cast our votes in favor of reclaimed wood without hesitation. When it comes to our homes and personal spaces, we only want the best in terms of quality, sustainability, durability, eco-friendliness, etc. Looking at all the points, we covered in this article, none can disagree that reclaimed wood is the best choice for all your home construction projects.

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