TO RECLAIM & PROTECT

by Andrew Kole

March 28, 2008

While “building green” is in – RECLAIM! Architectural Salvage and Millworks, a division of Antique Woods of Louisiana, is a company that “truly” supports the environment by providing homeowners with antique wood from floor to ceiling, thus saving one of our precious resources – trees.

According to Shalom Illouz, one of the owners of RECLAIM, “There is no question that reusing lumber, specifically old-growth wood rarely found in the wild, is the ultimate form of recycling.”

Shalom adds, “Antique Woods of Louisiana is a company that has been recycling this very valuable commodity since 1992.We offer salvaged wood and have an abundant quantity and variety. Most of our stock is found in former textile mills on the east coast, and other old buildings throughout the United States and Canada.” He continued with this, “We offer unique “old world wood” with rustic textures, traditional elegance, and architectural strength and durability. We mill all of our floors from reclaimed lumber, providing a large variety to choose from, including, Longleaf Pine, White Pine, Oak, Elm, Cypress, Fir, Red Gum, and River-Recovered Pine and Cypress.”

In addition to the flooring available, RECLAIM has a large assortment of antique beams.

Years of aging and exposure yield a handsome decorative accent that will add historic character to any room. Like the flooring, their antique beams are reclaimed from old abandoned buildings. These buildings are often scheduled for demolition. RECLAIM also offers wood for custom stair parts.

What I found interesting was that while the federal government has numerous tax credits for green products the reclaimed lumber business is not one of them. It is obvious to me that it should be. Hopefully in time, the government will catch up with RECLAIM.

What should be obvious to you is the business model for RECLAIM is one whose time has come. If you are considering “building green”, I suggest you take a look at what RECLAIM has to offer. Not only will you find a great product to enhance your home - recycled wood is also an environmentally responsible choice.

RECLAIM is located in Aspen, Colorado and on the web at www.reclaimaspen.com.