How to Make Recycled Wall Sheathing

Recycled wood sheathing provides a simple way to go green when building new construction or making changes to an existing structure. Wall sheathing consists of thin material strips that you use on top of a frame when building a residence or other type of building. Recycled wall sheathing makes use of materials that would ordinarily clog up a landfill. Reclaimed or salvaged wood is one type of recycled wood sheathing that you can make yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Reclaimed/salvaged wood
• Measuring tape
• Goggles
• Sawhorses
• Circular saw
• Orbital sander
• Coarse-grit sanding disc
• Fine-grit sanding disc
• Nail gun

Instructions

1. Find reclaimed or salvaged wood. Salvaged wood comes from various sources, but typically comes from old homes, buildings and barns. Once the building falls down or the owner tears it down, the wood is left behind. You can find salvaged wood from demolished buildings in your area or purchase it from a company that sells the wood.

2. Measure the size of the frame and determine the size of wood needed to cover the frame. Hold a measuring tape against the frame and measure both the width and height. Transfer those measurements onto the reclaimed wood. You generally want 4-by-8-foot boards with a width of 11/16 inch.

3. Wear protective goggles and lay the reclaimed wood on sawhorses so the wood sits flat. Carefully cut through the wood with a circular saw. Cut the wood down until it's the size needed for the building’s frame.

4. Attach a coarse-grit sanding disc onto an orbital sander. Sand one side of the reclaimed wood, turn the piece over and sand the back side. Switch the disc for a fine-grit sanding disc and sand both sides again, making the wood feel smooth to the touch.

5. Place the wood flat against the frame. Press a nail gun flat against the top corner of the board and pull the trigger, which shoots a nail through the wood and into the frame. Work your way around the edges of the reclaimed wood, attaching it to the frame.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot find reclaimed or salvaged wood, purchase recycled wood sheathing. Home improvement stores and lumber stores also offer particleboard made from old wood shavings and other types of sheathing made from recycled materials.

• For shiplap style siding, the boards are 4, 6 or 8 inches thick and you nail the pieces side-by-side on the frame.