Agricultural Adaptation Research Co-op

Chapter 2: Unbuilding, Rebuilding
High-Grade Wood Members
The best wood members should be selected for their
appearance, minimum wear-and-tear, absence of rot,
fungus, and excess knots. Only high-grade wood should
be re-used to make loadbearing structural components,
like trusses, beams, and columns. In accordance with ICB
guidelines, reclaimed wood members must be doubled up
to meet the equivalent structural integrity of single freshcut
lumber members.
Medium Grade Wood Members
Medium grade wood members can be re-used for nonstructural
purposes, including furring and strapping,
blocking, bracing, non-loadbearing partitions, shims,
millwork, cladding, floorboards, furniture, finishes, and
many other uses.
37
Low Grade Wood Members
Low-grade members are those that are severely damaged
or are affected by severe rot, fungal or insect infestation,
excess knots and metal, unusable shapes, or other
major issues that make them too difficult to reuse. Such
members should be properly discarded at the eco-center.
While they cannot be used for building, waste wood has
many other uses. It can be donated back to farmers to be
used for animal beddings, equestrian and landscaping
surfaces, or sent to local lumber plants to be used as
feedstock for panel board manufacturing. It can also be
used for biofuel and other industrial uses.