Wood details can give a house a welcoming ambience that can be lacking in new construction. Reclaimed or recycled lumber raises the bar on authenticity and preserves a bit of history, with beauty and character showing through every split, nail hole and smoothed-over repair. Salvaged pieces can be used in a variety of projects—think flooring, ceiling beams, and fireplace mantels, to name a few.

Using recycled product is environmentally friendly and, because it's dry and well-seasoned, old wood is by default stable and durable (it's already passed the test of time). Still, getting those perfect pieces involves more than a visit to the local lumberyard. Here are a few great spots to search.