Timber has been used as a building material for centuries.
The reason?
It's easy to work with, durable and aesthetically pleasing which makes it perfect for the various types of architectural features—from timber frames in buildings to windows and doors.
But there’s a downside.
Timber is prone to decay mostly caused by moisture, condensation or poor maintenance. As a result, fungi (such as dry rot) or wood-boring insects (such as deathwatch beetle or woodworm) colonize the timber causing deterioration.
When that happens, you can either restore or replace the timber. In this post, let’s look at some of the benefits of restoring wood.
#1. It’s More Eco-friendly
According to a survey by Wood Recyclers Association (WRA), the UK produced 3.98 million tonnes of wood waste in 2019.
Is there something you can do about this? Yes, of course. It may not seem like it, but by restoring wood instead of buying replacements, you will be doing your part in protecting your environment. You will help reduce the demand for new timber.
#2. To Maintain The Character of a Structure
Sometimes the timber in question may be historically significant such as a wooden window in a historic building. In such a case, there’s the need to preserve the character of the original timber as much as possible. And that makes restoring the best solution.
#3. Sometimes it’s Cheaper
Sometimes wood restoration is cheaper than replacement. All that is required is a resin or paint to prevent moisture from getting in contact with the wood. In another case, the decay could be confined to a relatively short section of a timber structure hence not warrant wholesale replacement.
#4. Consistency
Restoration helps you avoid the instances of having out-of-place timber—looks different from the rest. Take a timber floor for example, wood that is out-of-place varies in texture and colour and this can comprise aesthetics. In other words, sometimes it’s challenging to find the exact type of timber with similar characteristics because different batches are sourced from different trees.
So What Does This Mean?
As you have seen above, there are a couple of benefits when you choose to restore wood instead of replacing it. You not only ensure consistency but also play a role in conserving the environment.
And yes, the repair method you choose depends on the situation at hand. There’s no right or wrong method.