What to do with a weathered old barn--is it worth anything?
Question:There is an old barn on the farm I grew up on in Kansas. Do you know if people buy them (for the wood)? Or should we disassemble it--and would people buy the lumber? How much would it be worth, more or less?
Answers:
As an interior designer, I can tell you depending on the wood you have, it is worth something. We often use companies who buy up old barn wood, mill it and we install it as flooring and wainscotting. We also deal with furniture makers who purchase it to create custom furniture. People who aren't in this field have the idea that it is just old wood, but in green design and for those of us who reuse, remake and recycle, old barn wood is not only hard to find sources for when we need it but we pay a pretty penney when we do. Consult salvangers of antiques and small wood flooring and custom furniture manufacturer's in your area (Sunset magazine ads in the back will have some for where you live because they are regionalized). Ask before you disassemble, some flooring manufacturer's prefer to disassemble to get the most useable wood and to decide what is waste or can be recycled for other purposes. If you have a local craft guild, they will also probably have a list of those of us looking for exactly what you have. I know a lot of salvagers on the west coast who would give their eye teeth to lay hands on vintage barn wood.
If no one wants to buy it and you disassemble it, keep some lumber to make picture frames. All my grandmother's paintings are framed with the wood from the barn that was on her farm as a child. They add an amazing touch.
I can't tell you what it would be worth, but barnwood is very collectible. I'd advertise "Free barn, you disassemble & haul away".
I think that the beams from a barn are worth money. I suppose checking into that wouldn't hurt. A lot of people like to reuse the lumber though.
old barns have slab oak on the outside here in NW Arkansas
and SW Missouri. the wood is a favorite for making picture frames by crafters. they are sometimes a lot of trouble to disassemble so be careful.
Paint it , the paint will restore it, people love old barns it's a part of our life, put a barn quilt on it or make a bar out of it, dirt dance floor and all fun fun or a little shop,. I'm a dreamer. oh the possibilities
the wood from old barns is first cut lumber.probably solid. many people who use wood to build things like furniture and even more involved things than that would be interested. try advertising this lumber for sale and see what develops.i would sell it . it could be worth a small fortune.
Weathered wood should be easy to get rid of if you can reach buyers. I know of someone who makes frames out of them. See if you have a craft store in your town or find someone who does crafts. They may be interested in it. Or go to the nearest big city or run an ad in newspaper. It's all supply and demand, being in the right place at the right time. I'd love to have it but can't afford to have it shipped here. Good Luck!!
there is a place called barnstormers in maine. they buy old barn beams resaw and sell.
everything is worth something to somebody!
God bless;Mainzy
Your barn is worth a whole lot more that you would think. The are web sites for these people. You will probably get several inqueries back, so let them bid on the barn. The would and beams are probably native to the land and never been treated or anything like they do today. Congratulations on your windfall!!
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