Reusing salvaged materials saves dumping them as waste in landfill sites; saves natural resources - a certain number of mature trees in this case - and saves pollution in 'transport miles' suffered when we import timber.
Reclamation is also good because the salvaged wood is not burnt to release CO2*. In the past, demolition sites sent a lot of stuff up in flames and smoke but now they don't do this. They may even have a waiting list for some of their reclaimed materials!
So: using sound, old timber is a 'greener' way to build and renovate as well as being excellent value for money.
If you are replacing carpet for health as well as style, it is generally believed that wood is better than textiles for asthma. It makes sense to use wood with minimal chemical treatment. Natural beeswax and linseed oil are among finishes that have been used by our clients on the laid planks (the wide oak on the previous page was treated only with linseed oil).
* You don't want to know this, but if you want to help reduce pollution then one way you can do something positive is to use a 'green' coffin.
Particularly if you choose cremation, you might want to avoid MDF or chipboard (it looks like wood but is cheaper and contains polluting glues, mixers and other additives that are released into the air on burning) in favour of sustainable materials like willow, reed, paper (indeed paper - look before you laugh). Search on 'green funeral' or similar in your search engine. Carlisle cemetery and probably others have a good range of green coffins that you can call in and see; also their woodland burial site.
A 'cocoon coffin' (do a search on this) is the brilliant idea of a beautiful hand-crafted coffin, as per usual, but with a sealed interior compartment. Only the inside box, not the real wood coffin, is cremated or buried. The outer is reused. You may find funeral directors don't like this idea because less of your money is recycled to their profit from destroying an expensive coffin. If so, you could take your business elsewhere.