DriftwoodCo is an editorial archive focused on one specific area of woodworking: the use of driftwood and reclaimed lumber in furniture and home decor, with an emphasis on Canadian sources, regulations, and material conditions.
The content here grew out of years of hands-on work collecting beach-gathered cedar on the BC coast, milling salvaged barn boards from southern Ontario, and sourcing decommissioned dock timber from Great Lakes ports. What started as personal notes became a structured reference after enough people asked the same questions about permits, moisture content, and joinery choices for irregular grain.
What This Archive Covers
Three main areas form the backbone of the content:
- Sourcing — where to find driftwood and reclaimed lumber across Canadian provinces, what permits or permissions apply, and how to evaluate a piece in the field before hauling it out.
- Preparation — cleaning, desalination, drying protocols, and milling techniques that account for the irregular shapes and compromised grain typical of reclaimed material.
- Building — joinery approaches, finish selection, and structural considerations for furniture made from wood that does not conform to standard lumber dimensions.
Editorial Approach
Content on this site reflects direct experience and verifiable published sources. Where provincial regulations are cited, the applicable statute or ministry document is linked. Where technique is described, the reasoning behind it is explained rather than just the steps.
External references are drawn from sources including the Canadian Forest Service, provincial environment ministries, and peer-reviewed wood science literature.
Contact
For corrections, questions, or topic suggestions, contact the editorial team directly:
Email: info@driftwoodco.org
Phone: +1 (604) 555-0182
Address: 240 West Georgia St, Suite 310, Vancouver, BC V6B 6B4, Canada
Last updated: May 2026