Built from a passion for reusing wood and sharing its story, Backroads Reclamation is turning Old Canadian Wood into new wood products to last another lifetime, saving as much lumber as possible while keeping it from the landfill or bonfire.
Backroads Reclamation’s journey began in August of 2020 when founder, owner, and CEO, Jay Sanderson dismantled his first rural building after learning the intended fate of an obsolete grain storage structure in central Alberta.
The company’s efforts extend beyond salvaging barnwood, with a focus on rescuing old-growth fir from urban structures and recovering wood from diverse sources like railway dunnage and industrial sites. By identifying and processing hidden gems like teak, oak, and mahogany, Backroads Reclamation supplies a variety of reclaimed wood species that would otherwise be imported.
Their services include manufacturing flooring, barnwood walls, dimensional old-growth Douglas fir, various hardwoods, antique timbers, mantels, wood art, and furniture. Passionate about educating consumers, they showcase the history of their reclaimed wood and its transformation, emphasizing its role in shaping Canada’s development.
With many structures in Western Canada coming to the end of life as inner cities require redevelopment, Backroads aims to maximize their recovery efforts by working within the existing industry. Their mission is to prevent valuable old-growth lumber from ending up in landfills, contributing to a sustainable future for Canada’s wood resources.