VivaTerra's Railroad Tie Dining Table and Chairs are made from reclaimed wood railroad ties. Their simple lines and slender profile give them an almost weightless quality that nicely balances out the rusticity.
posted originally from: AT:San Francisco
most of the railroad ties I've seen have been treated with creosode to keep them from rotting so fast. please tell me how these are safe to turn into furniture......
view robilu's profile
The quick answer from our discussion on ATSF is that it's possible to treat used railroad ties to remove most of the creosote -- but I would sure want to know the company did that before buying anything.
Creosote is a true nasty -- much worse to have in your home than the Windex y'all are replacing with vinegar.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
Not to mention, of course, that the reason there are all these railroad ties for the taking is that our railroad system is being demolished. I'd rather use a railroad tie as a railroad tie, thanks.
view the opoponax's profile
Here's the post and multiple comments from AT:SF:
http://sanfrancisco.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/green-ideas/railroad-tie-dining-table-and-chairs-from-vivaterra-031664
VivaTerra actually uses railroad ties from countries that don't use creosote.
view leslie's profile
Okay, I'm going to be a Doubting Debbie -- did VivaTerra name what countries they get their railroad ties from? Or what wood preservatives were used on them?
Sorry -- I used to work with environmental engineers, and I'm having trouble buying the claim that wood in contact with the ground for years was totally untreated, especially when finding a substitute for creosote in the developing world is currently a big deal.
view wende in the twin cities's profile