Why Reclaimed Wood
Salvaged From History. Built for Tomorrow.
New York City is in a constant state of reinvention. Every year, hundreds of buildings across the five boroughs are demolished, renovated, or repurposed. Inside those walls, beneath those floors, and above those ceilings lies timber that was harvested from old-growth forests over a century ago — wood that simply does not exist in today's commercial supply chain.
At New York Lumber, we intercept this material before it reaches the landfill. Our team works directly with demolition contractors, building owners, and renovation firms across the tri-state area to salvage structural timbers, flooring, siding, and dimensional lumber from buildings dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s.
Every piece we sell has been carefully extracted, transported to our facility in Long Island City, de-nailed, inspected, graded, and processed. Whether you need rough-sawn barn boards for an accent wall or precision-milled heart pine flooring for a penthouse renovation, our inventory and milling capabilities can deliver.
What makes reclaimed wood fundamentally different from new lumber is its origin. The trees that became the beams in a Civil War-era warehouse grew for 200 to 400 years before they were harvested. That slow, old-growth development produced wood with grain density, hardness, and dimensional stability that modern plantation timber cannot match.
Beyond performance, reclaimed wood carries a visual signature that is impossible to replicate: genuine patina from decades of oxidation, the worn marks of use, original saw marks from water-powered mills, and the nail holes and peg joints of historic construction. These characteristics give every project built with reclaimed wood a depth and authenticity that resonates with clients, guests, and occupants.
Our product range covers every phase of a project — from structural beams and dimensional framing lumber to finished flooring, custom millwork, and the hardware and accessories that bring installations together. Browse the categories below, or contact our team with your project specifications for a personalized recommendation.
Product Categories
Browse Our Full Range
Reclaimed Lumber
Dimensional lumber salvaged from historic structures — 2x4s through 2x12s, plus custom dimensions. Oak, pine, Douglas fir, and more.
Reclaimed Beams
Massive structural and decorative beams from barns, factories, and warehouses. Hand-hewn and machine-cut options available.
Reclaimed Flooring
One-of-a-kind flooring with century-old patina. Heart pine, white oak, American chestnut, and other rare species.
Custom Milling
We mill reclaimed wood to any specification. Mantels, tabletops, wainscoting, ceiling planks — if it's wood, we can make it.
Accessories & Hardware
Reclaimed wood accessories, vintage hardware, steel brackets, and complementary products for your project.
Comparison
Reclaimed Wood vs. New Lumber
Choosing between reclaimed and new lumber is not just an aesthetic decision — it impacts structural performance, environmental footprint, and long-term value. Here is how the two compare across every factor that matters.
| Feature | Reclaimed Wood | New Lumber |
|---|---|---|
| Age of timber | 80–200+ years (old-growth) | 15–30 years (plantation) |
| Grain density | Extremely tight — slow growth rings | Wide grain — fast growth |
| Janka hardness | Often 20–40% harder than modern equivalent | Standard species ratings |
| Dimensional stability | Fully seasoned over decades | May continue to shrink/expand |
| Visual character | Patina, nail holes, saw marks, unique story | Uniform, clean appearance |
| Sustainability | Zero new trees harvested | Requires forest harvesting |
| Carbon footprint | Carbon-negative (sequesters existing carbon) | Carbon cost of harvesting & processing |
| Availability of species | Access to extinct/rare species (American chestnut) | Limited to commercially grown species |
| Cost per board foot | $4–$18+ depending on species & grade | $2–$8 for common species |
| Lead time | Subject to inventory availability | Generally available on demand |
Sustainability Impact
Every Board You Buy Is a Tree You Save
The environmental case for reclaimed wood is overwhelming. By choosing salvaged timber over new lumber, you eliminate the need for harvesting living trees, reduce landfill waste, and keep carbon locked in wood that might otherwise decompose or be incinerated. Here is the impact our operation has delivered so far.
2,800+
Tons of wood diverted from landfills since we opened
0
Trees cut down for our products
4.7M
Lbs of CO₂ kept sequestered in reclaimed timber
350+
Historic structures given a second life through our salvage
92%
Material recovery rate from each demolition source
100%
Of our wood processed at our NYC facility
Species Guide
Species Availability by Product Type
Not every species is available in every product format. This matrix shows which species we commonly carry across our product categories. Availability changes as new salvage sources come in — contact us for current stock levels.
| Species | Lumber | Beams | Flooring | Paneling | Furniture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Oak | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heart Pine | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Douglas Fir | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| American Chestnut | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Eastern White Pine | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Hemlock | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Maple | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Elm | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Cypress | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Walnut | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ |
Our Process
From Demolition Site to Your Project
Every piece of reclaimed wood in our inventory goes through a rigorous multi-step process that ensures quality, safety, and readiness for its next life. Here is how it works.
Sourcing & Acquisition
Our sourcing team maintains relationships with demolition contractors, building owners, and renovation firms across the New York metro area. When a structure is slated for demolition or gut renovation, we evaluate the timber inside. We look for old-growth species, structural integrity, and historically significant material. We acquire only what meets our quality standards.
Careful Deconstruction
Unlike conventional demolition, our process prioritizes preservation. Beams are removed intact. Flooring is pulled carefully to preserve tongue-and-groove profiles. Dimensional lumber is extracted board by board. This labor-intensive approach costs more than simply crushing a building, but it preserves the maximum amount of usable material.
Transport to Our Facility
All salvaged material is transported to our processing facility in Long Island City, Queens. We operate a 15,000 square foot shop and a 25,000 square foot outdoor lumber yard, giving us the capacity to process and store large volumes of reclaimed stock at any given time.
De-nailing & Metal Detection
Every board passes through our de-nailing station. Workers hand-pull visible nails, screws, and hardware. Then each piece goes through an industrial metal detector to find hidden fasteners embedded in the wood — a critical step that protects our milling equipment and ensures your finished product is clean.
Grading & Sorting
We grade all material by species, structural integrity, visual character, and dimensional accuracy. Our grading follows established reclaimed wood industry standards with three primary tiers: Select (cleanest faces, minimal defects), Character (moderate nail holes, patina, some checking), and Rustic (heavy patina, open nail holes, saw marks, checking).
Processing & Milling
Depending on the product, material is planed, re-sawn, profiled, or kiln-dried. Our milling shop runs a 36-inch re-saw, a 24-inch planer, a moulder, and a variety of shapers and routers. We can produce any standard or custom profile from reclaimed stock.
Quality Control & Inventory
Finished product is measured, tagged, and entered into our inventory system. We photograph representative samples of each lot so customers can see what they are ordering. Material is stored undercover in our facility until it ships.
Pricing
Pricing Guidance & Bulk Rates
Reclaimed wood pricing depends on species, grade, dimensions, processing level, and current market availability. Below are general ranges to help you budget your project. All prices are per board foot unless otherwise noted. Contact us for an exact quote on your specific requirements.
| Product | Standard Range | Premium Species | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensional lumber (common species) | $4 – $8 | $10 – $18 | Per board foot |
| Structural beams | $8 – $14 | $16 – $28 | Per board foot |
| Flooring (unfinished) | $8 – $14 | $16 – $24 | Per sq ft |
| Flooring (pre-finished) | $12 – $18 | $20 – $30 | Per sq ft |
| Custom milling (labor) | $2 – $4 | $4 – $8 | Per board foot added |
| Paneling & shiplap | $6 – $10 | $12 – $18 | Per sq ft |
| Live-edge slabs | $12 – $20 | $25 – $50+ | Per board foot |
Bulk Pricing Tiers
500+ board feet
5% discount
Applied automatically on qualifying orders
1,000+ board feet
10% discount
Plus priority processing and scheduling
5,000+ board feet
15–20% discount
Custom negotiated pricing with dedicated account support
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
“We specified New York Lumber for a 12,000 sq ft restaurant in SoHo. The reclaimed heart pine flooring and hand-hewn beams created an atmosphere you simply cannot replicate with new materials. Our clients were thrilled.”
David Reinholt
Principal, Reinholt Architecture Studio
“As a general contractor, I need reliable suppliers. New York Lumber consistently delivers quality reclaimed stock, properly graded and ready to install. Their custom milling turnaround is the best in the city.”
Maria Santos
Owner, Santos Construction Group
“I was restoring a 1920s brownstone in Park Slope and needed species-matched flooring. They found American chestnut boards that blended perfectly with the original floors. Truly remarkable inventory.”
Jonathan Weiss
Homeowner, Brooklyn, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
Product FAQs
How does reclaimed lumber pricing compare to buying new wood?
Reclaimed wood typically costs 1.5x to 3x more than equivalent new lumber per board foot. However, the value proposition extends beyond price: you get old-growth density, unique character, and species that are no longer commercially available. For many projects, the visual and structural qualities of reclaimed wood make it the more cost-effective choice when you consider longevity and aesthetic impact.
Is your reclaimed wood safe to use indoors?
Absolutely. All of our reclaimed lumber is thoroughly inspected and processed before sale. We remove all nails and metal fasteners, check for and treat any insect damage, and kiln-dry material destined for interior use. Our kiln process heats wood to 140 degrees Fahrenheit throughout, which kills any potential pests. We do not sell wood that has been treated with creosote or other hazardous chemicals.
Can I get samples before placing a large order?
Yes. We offer sample boards for most species and products in our inventory. Samples are typically 12 to 18 inches long and are available for pickup at our Long Island City facility or can be shipped. Sample costs are credited toward your final order if you proceed. For flooring, we recommend getting at least three samples to understand the natural variation within a given lot.
Do you deliver to locations outside New York City?
We deliver throughout the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) with our own trucks. For deliveries outside this region, we work with trusted freight partners and can ship anywhere in the continental United States. Large beam orders may require flatbed delivery, which we coordinate directly. International shipping is available on a case-by-case basis.
What species do you carry most consistently?
White oak and heart pine are our most consistently available species, as they were the most commonly used structural and finish woods in historic New York buildings. Douglas fir beams are also readily available from industrial sources. Rarer species like American chestnut, elm, and walnut are available intermittently — if you need a specific species, contact us and we will let you know current availability or put you on our notification list.
How do I know if reclaimed wood is strong enough for structural use?
Reclaimed wood from old-growth forests is typically denser and stronger than modern plantation-grown timber. We offer structural grading for beams and timbers, and can provide span tables and load calculations for specific applications. For critical structural applications, we recommend having the material evaluated by a licensed structural engineer. We can facilitate this process and have engineers we regularly work with.
What is the minimum order quantity?
There is no minimum order for standard inventory items. For custom milling, we have a minimum of 50 board feet to cover setup costs. Bulk pricing is available for orders over 500 board feet, with additional discounts at 1,000 and 5,000 board foot thresholds. Flooring orders typically start at 100 square feet minimum for custom runs.
Don't See What You Need?
We regularly acquire new inventory from demolition and renovation projects across the five boroughs and beyond. Tell us what you're looking for — species, dimensions, quantity, grade — and we'll check our yard or source it for you. Our team responds to all inquiries within 24 hours.
Request Custom Order