Recovered Wood

Flooring specialist works in history as well

Excelsior Wood Products, Kingston, N.Y., works in the recovered flooring business, but it is more than just floors. “You could say all reclaimed wood has an intriguing history,” said Ron Sauer, president, Excelsior Wood Products. The company is a wood reclaiming specialist that creates millwork masterpieces from vintage wood of all types. “Whether it is removed from an old mansion, public building or even an old industrial facility, there is a story to it that adds an unexpected value to the wood when it’s reclaimed.”

In addition, there can be more than just a wood product. “People really love the history behind their reclaimed flooring, and often collect pictures of the original sites and structures they came from,” said Joe Walsh, president of Walsh Flooring, Ridgefield, N.J., a specialist in the finishing and installation of vintage wood.

To satisfy this demand, “In some instances we purchase large volume of salvaged wood from historic sites and then warehouse them for future orders,” Sauer said. “Examples of that include old factories, sections of boardwalk, tobacco barns and stables.” In many instances, when locating an unusual or historic supply of wood, or matching the customer’s desires in terms of species and style, Excelsior will scour many countries and warehouses.

Getting the designer’s or customer’s preference in species is another challenge Sauer has accepted. Whether antique heart pine, American and European chestnut, mixed antique oak or even rare species, he has sourced throughout the world to find the needed wood.

Affordable Artwork

While using reclaimed vintage wood is more expensive than everyday commercial flooring, homeowners and designers feel strongly this beautiful flooring is a worthwhile investment. The cost difference depends on several factors, including expenses incurred in procuring the salvaged wood as well as the extent of the reclaiming, finishing and installation processes.

“The cost difference probably isn’t as much as many people would imagine,” Sauer said. “In some cases it’s 30% higher than everyday wood, but our customers believe it’s very much worth it. Not only do they feel the flooring or paneling has an added monetary as vintage quality that will quite possibly appreciate in value, but it’s an investment they can enjoy every day...that also tells a pretty good story.”

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