Buying and using recycled clothing, toys, appliances, or virtually any recycled item is generally a breeze. However, when it comes to timber, the story takes a different turn. Working with recycled timber demands patience, flexibility, and a dash of creativity. If you opt for recycled timber, be ready to either undertake the task yourself or have a higher budget for extra labour fees, given its tendency to lack perfect alignment.

Our latest project involves building a timber ramp at the front of the house and a sizable 3.5 x 15-metre deck on the north side. Fortunately, we had access to ample salvaged timber amassed over 30 plus years by a family member. This treasure trove was meticulously stored across the property, shielded from the elements by sheets of iron and assorted salvaged materials. Most of these timbers had previous incarnations as beams, floorboards, or structural elements from other houses. Our grand plan was to pay a builder to build the ramp and deck frames using these reclaimed timbers and we would build the actual decking ourselves. The plan has so far proved more challenging than we initially envisioned.

Throughout this journey, I often reflected on why we opted for recycled timber. Despite its challenges, the reasons were clear: it was cost-effective, is beautiful, and contributed to reducing our reliance on raw materials. Our entire house is made from new materials, so this was the least we could do. I also love the physicality of working with timber and the satisfaction of crafting something integral to our living space.

Finding a builder willing to work with recycled timber was a stroke of luck. Surveying the stacks of available timber, he tentatively concluded that there might be enough to suffice. Armed with lists detailing the required timber sizes, our scavenger hunts often led to creative substitutions when our initial selections fell short. Eventually, we collected the necessary materials for the framing.

The quest for appropriately sized and conditioned timber proved both rewarding and challenging. Discovering five or more pieces of suitable timber felt akin to striking gold. However, the euphoria was short-lived. Halfway through building the frame the builder downed tools and explained his difficulties. He was wrestling with warped and irregular timbers during the deck's frame construction and had used as much of the timber as he could. It had become evident that compromises were necessary. Faced with the options of persisting with recycled timber, albeit at double the labour cost, or opting for treated pine, we reluctantly chose the latter. While other homeowners might have the skills or resources to persevere, that wasn’t me, and the builder really didn’t want to compromise on the quality of his work.

We’re pleased to say that after almost a year of walking on pallets to get into the house, the front ramp is complete, its frame is made with new materials, while the deck is recycled timber. Even the builder, who generously agreed to come back and lay the deck timbers, seemed pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Its aesthetic appeal, weariness, sturdiness, and unique character surpassed expectations.

Our next phase is laying the decking timbers, and we’ve revisited the timber stacks to collect as many 20mm thick timber pieces as we can. If we run out our contingency plan is to collect 30mm pieces and thin them with a thicknesser, a tool we're still not sure how to get hold of in Victoria, where it’s difficult to hire one. Perhaps a local Men’s Shed might be useful. Stay tuned.

For those considering recycled timber, these tips could be useful. If you’re buying from a recycled timber yard, the timber is likely to be cleaner and more consistent:

• Recognise that few builders will be willing to work with recycled timber, necessitating higher labour costs or DIY.
• Overestimate the amount of timber you need to allow for trimming chipped, rotten ends or boards rotten midway.
• Have clamps on hand to straighten bowed boards.
• Use a metal detector to find embedded nails—they can wreak havoc on saw blades, and sanders, and pose hazards.
• Pre-drill holes when working with dense hardwoods to expedite the process.