If You Can Dream It,

A Beam Can Do It

Reclaimed Barn Wood Beams

Let’s talk about reclaimed beams; especially hand-hewn beams. Beams are so incredibly versatile and can be used in and for so many projects. We’re talking custom furniture, home installations, and remodels. If you can dream it up, you can probably use a reclaimed barn wood beam as a part of the project.

So we are going to start with one of our favorites: mantles.

Yup, mantles. We absolutely love how a reclaimed barn wood mantle looks, especially hand-hewn beams. Picture this. One gorgeous hand-hewn beam perfectly situated above your fireplace. It brings the farmhouse aesthetic right into your home. A beautifully placed mantle can add just the right amount without completely overwhelming a room.

When we say mantles, though, we are referring to a wide variety of mantle types- surround mantles, fireplace mantles, a simple top mantle, and even custom corbels. We have custom cut hundreds of hand-hewn and rough sawn beams for our customers.

Could we talk about mantles all day? Absolutely. But there are so many other projects that call for that perfectly aged, 150 year old, reclaimed barn wood beam. There is one thing in particular that many of our customers have been doing, especially lately. And that is using reclaimed barn wood beams as ridge beams. So, both to the top of a gable and as rafters leading up to the ridge beam.

Now, what some of our customers have been doing is using these beams aesthetically, rather than structurally. This makes it a bit simpler in the building process because structural beams have rigid specifications they must meet. Either way, honestly, reclaimed barn wood ridge beams are a very nice addition to any home, cottage, or office space.

This is one remodel project that we are actually doing in our family home this spring. We are installing non-load bearing accent beams in the newest addition on the house. These accent beams are a great way to incorporate reclaimed barn wood into your home.

Branching off from accent beams, the next most popular use for reclaimed barn wood beams is for archways or entryways into a room, between rooms, leading into a building. Just like the accent beam, using reclaimed barn wood beams for an archway or entryway is a nice way to incorporate reclaimed barn wood into your home- just slightly more than one accent beam.

What Else Can I Use Them For?

Honestly, the list of things you can use reclaimed barn wood beams for is massive. A few of the other things that we, personally, have used them for and our customers have used are: newel posts for your stairway, hood vent over your stove in your kitchen, table legs, coffee tables, bed frames, or even posts for the interior or exterior of your house.

Just like with any of our other custom projects, these projects utilizing reclaimed barn wood beams start with a one-on-one meeting with Jim, the owner and founder of Michigan Reclaimed Barns and Lumber. As with anything customized, these projects take time. When you make the decision to work with reclaimed barn wood, especially for a custom project or home installation, it is a bigger journey than stopping by the local hardware store.

Custom work takes time because quality is worth it.

When you decide to work with reclaimed barn wood, you have a piece of wood that was literally cut down 150-200 years ago and then aged in a barn or building. That artistic piece of wood lends itself to a master craftsman.

Especially when working with reclaimed barn wood for home installations or home renovation projects, it is crucial to work with a professional. You have a piece of wood that was literally cut down 150-200 years ago, aged in a barn or building.

Wouldn’t that artistic piece of wood lend itself to a master craftsman?

You can read more about hand hewn mantles and exposed beams and, if you have any additional questions, send us a message! Someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Ready to start your project and pick out a mantle? You can Schedule a 1:1 appointment with Jim right now.

Are you interested in using reclaimed barn wood beams in your next project? Get in touch! You can email Jim directly here or call at 734-223-0759. We’re looking forward to talking with you!