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Stories, Guides & Industry Insights

From project spotlights to sustainability deep-dives — everything we know about reclaimed lumber, shared with the people who build with it.

TopicsIndustry NewsHow-To GuideCompany UpdatesSustainabilityProject Spotlight

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How-To GuideFebruary 4, 2026

Choosing the Right Finish for Reclaimed Wood: Oil, Poly, Wax, or Nothing?

The finish you choose can make or break a reclaimed wood project. Here's our guide to the most common options and when to use each one.

James Rodriguez
7 min read
Industry NewsJanuary 15, 2026

Reclaimed Lumber Market Outlook for 2026

What we expect from the reclaimed lumber market in 2026 — pricing trends, regulatory changes, and the supply-demand balance in the NYC area.

Sarah Chen
6 min read
Company UpdatesDecember 22, 2025

2025 Year in Review: A Record Year for New York Lumber

Looking back on a landmark year — record volume, new team members, expanded capabilities, and the projects that defined our 2025.

Mike Sullivan
5 min read
How-To GuideDecember 3, 2025

Can You Use Reclaimed Wood Outdoors? Preparation and Species Guide

Reclaimed wood can be used for exterior projects, but species selection and preparation are critical. Here's how to do it right.

James Rodriguez
6 min read
Project SpotlightNovember 12, 2025

Project Spotlight: SoHo Office Gets a Reclaimed Pine Ceiling That Transforms the Space

A tech company's SoHo office renovation used reclaimed eastern white pine to create a dramatic ceiling plane that softens the industrial interior.

Mike Sullivan
5 min read
Industry NewsOctober 25, 2025

Reclaimed Wood in Commercial Interiors: Code Compliance and Best Practices

Using reclaimed wood in commercial spaces involves specific code requirements. Here's what you need to know about fire ratings, finishes, and inspections.

Sarah Chen
7 min read
Company UpdatesOctober 7, 2025

Growing the Team: New York Lumber Adds Three New Specialists

As demand continues to grow, we've expanded our team with specialists in wood finishing, logistics, and client relations.

Mike Sullivan
4 min read
How-To GuideSeptember 18, 2025

Old-Growth vs. Second-Growth Timber: Why It Matters for Your Project

The difference between old-growth and second-growth wood goes far beyond age. Here's what makes old-growth reclaimed lumber special and how to identify it.

James Rodriguez
6 min read
SustainabilityAugust 6, 2025

How Reclaimed Wood Contributes to LEED Certification

A detailed breakdown of the LEED credits that reclaimed lumber can help you earn, with practical tips for documentation and compliance.

Sarah Chen
7 min read
Company UpdatesJuly 14, 2025

Summer 2025 Inventory Update: What's In Stock and What's Coming

A seasonal update on our current reclaimed lumber inventory, new arrivals, and what we're sourcing for the coming months.

Mike Sullivan
4 min read
How-To GuideJune 9, 2025

Understanding Lumber Grading for Reclaimed Wood

Standard lumber grades don't apply directly to reclaimed wood. Here's how grading works in the reclaimed market and what the grades mean for your project.

James Rodriguez
6 min read
Project SpotlightMay 22, 2025

Project Spotlight: Chelsea Art Gallery Transforms Space with Reclaimed Timber

A prominent Chelsea gallery commissioned massive reclaimed Douglas fir columns to redefine their exhibition space. Here's how the project unfolded.

Mike Sullivan
5 min read
SustainabilityMay 1, 2025

The Wood Waste Crisis in Construction: Numbers That Should Alarm You

The U.S. construction industry sends millions of tons of reusable wood to landfills every year. We look at the scale of the problem and the solutions emerging.

Sarah Chen
7 min read
How-To GuideApril 10, 2025

Getting Started with Reclaimed Lumber for DIY Projects

You don't need to be a professional to work with reclaimed wood. Here's a beginner's guide to buying and using salvaged lumber for home projects.

James Rodriguez
6 min read
Project SpotlightMarch 15, 2025

Project Spotlight: Heart Pine Flooring Restoration in a Brooklyn Brownstone

Restoring original heart pine floors in a Park Slope brownstone — and supplementing with matching reclaimed heart pine for new additions.

Mike Sullivan
5 min read
How-To GuideFebruary 28, 2025

An Architect's Guide to Specifying Reclaimed Lumber

Everything architects need to know about writing specifications for reclaimed wood — from grading standards to lead times and substitution clauses.

Sarah Chen
8 min read
How-To GuideFebruary 12, 2025

Maintaining Reclaimed Wood Surfaces: A Year-Round Care Guide

Proper maintenance keeps reclaimed wood looking beautiful for decades. Here's our seasonal guide to caring for reclaimed flooring, walls, and furniture.

James Rodriguez
6 min read
Project SpotlightJanuary 23, 2025

Project Spotlight: Williamsburg Restaurant's Barn Wood Feature Wall

How we transformed 150-year-old barn siding into a dramatic feature wall for one of Brooklyn's newest farm-to-table restaurants.

Mike Sullivan
5 min read
How-To GuideJanuary 9, 2025

Reclaimed vs. New Hardwood Flooring: An Honest Comparison

We lay out the real pros and cons of reclaimed and new hardwood flooring to help you make the right choice for your project.

James Rodriguez
7 min read
Industry NewsDecember 5, 2024

Reclaimed Wood Design Trends Heading into 2025

From shou sugi ban to mixed-width plank walls, here are the reclaimed wood trends we're seeing across NYC design projects this winter.

Sarah Chen
5 min read
SustainabilityNovember 14, 2024

How We Source Reclaimed Lumber from NYC Demolition Sites

A behind-the-scenes look at how New York Lumber partners with demolition contractors to rescue usable wood before it hits the landfill.

Mike Sullivan
6 min read
How-To GuideOctober 28, 2024

Working with Reclaimed Beams: Tips from Our Milling Team

Our head of operations shares practical advice for architects and contractors working with heavy reclaimed timbers for the first time.

James Rodriguez
7 min read
SustainabilityOctober 5, 2024

Old-Growth vs New-Growth Wood: Why Reclaimed Wins on Performance

Compare old-growth reclaimed lumber to modern new-growth wood across density, stability, and sustainability.

Sarah Chen
6 min read
Industry NewsOctober 2, 2024

NYC Local Law 97 and Reclaimed Materials: What Developers Need to Know

How New York City's landmark climate law is creating new opportunities — and requirements — for using reclaimed building materials.

Sarah Chen
7 min read
How-To GuideSeptember 18, 2024

Reclaimed Wood Flooring Guide: Species, Profiles, and Installation Tips

Choose the right reclaimed flooring species, profile, finish, and installation method for lasting performance.

Mike Sullivan
8 min read
How-To GuideSeptember 5, 2024

How to Identify High-Quality Reclaimed Wood: What to Look For

Not all reclaimed lumber is created equal. Here's how to evaluate quality before you buy, whether you're shopping at a yard or ordering online.

James Rodriguez
6 min read
SustainabilityAugust 22, 2024

How to Specify Reclaimed Wood for LEED and Low-Carbon Projects

Specification tips for reclaimed wood that satisfy LEED MR credits, carbon goals, and procurement risk checks.

Anika Patel
7 min read
Project SpotlightAugust 19, 2024

Project Spotlight: Tribeca Loft Renovation with 200-Year-Old Reclaimed Oak

A look inside a stunning Tribeca loft renovation that used reclaimed white oak flooring salvaged from a 19th-century Pennsylvania barn.

Mike Sullivan
5 min read
How-To GuideJuly 12, 2024

Reclaimed Wood Care: Cleaning, Sealing, and Long-Term Maintenance

Keep reclaimed wood looking its best with proper cleaning, sealing, humidity control, and repair routines.

Sarah Chen
6 min read
SustainabilityJuly 3, 2024

The Carbon Footprint of Reclaimed vs. New Lumber: What the Data Shows

We analyzed the lifecycle emissions of reclaimed and virgin lumber to quantify the environmental impact of choosing salvaged wood.

Sarah Chen
7 min read
How-To GuideJune 15, 2024

How to Install Reclaimed Wood Flooring: A Step-by-Step Guide

Installing reclaimed flooring requires extra preparation compared to new wood. Here's our complete guide to getting a beautiful, long-lasting result.

James Rodriguez
9 min read
Company UpdatesMay 8, 2024

New York Lumber Expands Warehouse Capacity by 30%

We've completed a major expansion of our Long Island City facility to keep up with growing demand for reclaimed wood products.

Mike Sullivan
4 min read
How-To GuideApril 22, 2024

A Complete Guide to Reclaimed Wood Species Available in the Northeast

From heart pine to American chestnut, here's everything you need to know about the species you'll find in salvaged lumber yards across the Northeast.

Sarah Chen
8 min read
Industry NewsMarch 12, 2024

Why Reclaimed Lumber Is Booming in NYC Construction

Demand for reclaimed wood in New York City has surged over the past two years. We break down what's driving the trend and what it means for builders.

Mike Sullivan
6 min read

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