American Chestnut Restoration in Copake, NY

We just wrapped up a unique restoration on four structures built from reclaimed barn wood—and the goal wasn’t to make them look new… it was to preserve the character while protecting the wood for years to come.

These buildings had decades of:

• Weathering
• Organic buildup
• Surface breakdown

We approached this the right way.

Step 1: Low-Pressure Softwash Cleaning

We safely removed unwanted buildup and some of the heavy weathering—without damaging the wood fibers or stripping away that sought-after aged look.

Step 2: Preserve the Patina

Instead of over-cleaning, we intentionally kept much of the original character and color variation that makes reclaimed barn wood stand out.

Step 3: Protection Application

We applied a high-quality log oil to:

• ✔️ Rehydrate and condition the wood
• ✔️ Enhance natural tones and grain
• ✔️ Add long-term protection from the elements

We also incorporated an insecticide additive to help prevent:

• Wood-boring insects
• Future structural damage

Project Location: Copake, NY

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