About Our Lumber
Old-Growth Timber, Responsibly Reclaimed
The dimensional lumber in our yard comes from structures that were built when New York City was still growing into the metropolis it is today. Factories in Red Hook, warehouses along the East River, row houses in Harlem, churches in the Bronx — each demolition and renovation project yields timber that was originally harvested from old-growth forests across the eastern United States and Pacific Northwest.
This wood is fundamentally different from anything available at a modern lumber yard. The trees it came from grew for one to four centuries before they were felled, producing tight grain rings, higher density, and superior structural properties. When you hold a piece of reclaimed white oak in your hands, you can feel the difference in weight alone — it is noticeably heavier than its modern counterpart because the fibers are packed so much more tightly together.
We carry twelve primary species in our standard inventory, with additional species appearing as sourcing opportunities arise. Each species has distinct characteristics that make it suitable for different applications — from the extreme hardness of reclaimed maple (originally gym flooring) to the rare beauty of American chestnut (from structures built before the blight wiped out the species in the early 1900s).
All of our dimensional lumber is thoroughly de-nailed, metal-detected, graded, and processed before sale. You can purchase material rough-sawn for maximum character, surfaced on two or four sides for a cleaner look, or kiln-dried and ready for interior furniture and cabinetry. Our custom milling service can also turn any piece of our stock into the exact profile and dimension your project requires.
Species Catalog
Available Species
Our inventory changes constantly as new salvage opportunities arise. Below are the twelve species we most commonly carry, along with detailed specifications for each. Contact us for current availability and lot sizes.
White Oak
Dense, rot-resistant, beautiful grain, golden-brown color that deepens with age
Common sources: Warehouses, bridges, industrial buildings
Workability: Moderate — requires sharp tools, pre-drilling recommended for fasteners
Best for: Flooring, furniture, exterior applications, boat building, wine barrels
Janka
1,360 lbf
Density
47 lbs/cu ft
Heart Pine
Tight grain, high resin content, amber color, extremely durable
Common sources: Pre-1900 factory floors, homes, mill buildings
Workability: Good — machines well, takes stain and finish beautifully
Best for: Flooring, paneling, stair treads, architectural trim, mantels
Janka
1,225 lbf
Density
42 lbs/cu ft
Douglas Fir
Strong, straight grain, workable, warm reddish-brown hue
Common sources: Timber frames, barns, railroad structures, warehouses
Workability: Excellent — easy to cut, plane, and shape with standard tools
Best for: Structural framing, beams, posts, paneling, shelving
Janka
660 lbf
Density
34 lbs/cu ft
Eastern White Pine
Soft, easy to work, wide boards available, light color with warm patina
Common sources: Colonial-era buildings, barns, church structures
Workability: Excellent — softest of common reclaimed species, ideal for hand-tool work
Best for: Paneling, wainscoting, trim, shelving, craft projects, sign making
Janka
380 lbf
Density
25 lbs/cu ft
American Chestnut
Extremely rare, rot-resistant, prized grain, warm brown tones with silvery weathering
Common sources: Pre-blight structures (very rare, pre-1920 only)
Workability: Good — splits easily, light weight for a hardwood, easy to carve
Best for: Furniture, accent walls, table tops, specialty flooring, museum-quality installations
Janka
540 lbf
Density
30 lbs/cu ft
Hemlock
Affordable, rustic character, varies in color from pink-brown to reddish-gray
Common sources: Barn siding, framing, fencing, bridge decking
Workability: Good — somewhat splintery, works best with sharp tools
Best for: Accent walls, rustic furniture, barn-style doors, exterior cladding
Janka
500 lbf
Density
28 lbs/cu ft
Red Oak
Pronounced grain pattern, reddish hue, very common in NYC demolition stock
Common sources: Commercial buildings, institutional flooring, factory structures
Workability: Good — machines and stains well, open pores absorb finish readily
Best for: Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, stair treads, moldings
Janka
1,290 lbf
Density
44 lbs/cu ft
Maple
Extremely hard, tight grain, light color ranges from cream to light amber
Common sources: Gymnasium floors, bowling alleys, industrial applications
Workability: Moderate — very hard, requires carbide tooling, can burn during cutting
Best for: Flooring, butcher blocks, tabletops, cutting boards, workbenches
Janka
1,450 lbf
Density
44 lbs/cu ft
Cypress
Naturally rot-resistant, distinctive grain, honey-gold color, aromatic
Common sources: Southern structures, water tanks, boat building yards
Workability: Good — works easily, naturally oily surface, takes finish well
Best for: Exterior siding, garden structures, bathrooms, porch ceilings, shutters
Janka
510 lbf
Density
32 lbs/cu ft
Walnut
Rich dark brown color, fine grain, highly valued for visual appeal
Common sources: Fine furniture, interior millwork, gun stocks, trim
Workability: Excellent — works beautifully with hand and power tools
Best for: High-end furniture, accent pieces, inlays, turned objects, cutting boards
Janka
1,010 lbf
Density
38 lbs/cu ft
Elm
Interlocked grain makes it extremely tough, distinctive figure when quartersawn
Common sources: Water infrastructure, barn construction, wagon making
Workability: Difficult — interlocked grain tears easily, requires slow feed rates
Best for: Flooring, chair seats, unique accent pieces, decorative applications
Janka
830 lbf
Density
35 lbs/cu ft
Poplar
Light greenish-white to cream color, straight grain, easy to paint
Common sources: Interior framing, siding underlayment, paint-grade trim
Workability: Excellent — one of the easiest hardwoods to work, excellent paint base
Best for: Painted trim, interior paneling, craft wood, drawer sides, secondary surfaces
Janka
540 lbf
Density
29 lbs/cu ft
Dimensions
Dimensional Availability
Reclaimed lumber dimensions follow nominal sizing conventions. Actual dimensions after surfacing are shown below. Lengths vary by lot but typically range from 4 to 16 feet, with occasional pieces available up to 20 feet. Board footage calculations use nominal dimensions.
| Nominal Size | Actual (S4S) | Board Feet | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1×4 | 3/4" × 3-1/2" | 0.33 per LF | Trim, battens, craft projects |
| 1×6 | 3/4" × 5-1/2" | 0.50 per LF | Paneling, shelving, fence boards |
| 1×8 | 3/4" × 7-1/4" | 0.67 per LF | Wide paneling, tabletops, signs |
| 1×10 | 3/4" × 9-1/4" | 0.83 per LF | Wide shelving, furniture panels |
| 1×12 | 3/4" × 11-1/4" | 1.00 per LF | Wide shelving, tabletops, benches |
| 2×4 | 1-1/2" × 3-1/2" | 0.67 per LF | Framing, light structural, furniture frames |
| 2×6 | 1-1/2" × 5-1/2" | 1.00 per LF | Framing, joists, benches |
| 2×8 | 1-1/2" × 7-1/4" | 1.33 per LF | Floor joists, headers, furniture |
| 2×10 | 1-1/2" × 9-1/4" | 1.67 per LF | Floor joists, ridge boards, large shelving |
| 2×12 | 1-1/2" × 11-1/4" | 2.00 per LF | Ridge boards, stair stringers, headers |
| 4×4 | 3-1/2" × 3-1/2" | 1.33 per LF | Posts, table legs, small beams |
| 4×6 | 3-1/2" × 5-1/2" | 2.00 per LF | Posts, beams, pergola rafters |
| 6×6 | 5-1/2" × 5-1/2" | 3.00 per LF | Structural posts, heavy timber framing |
Need a dimension not listed above? We offer custom milling to any specification. We can also re-saw thicker stock into thinner boards or rip wider boards to narrower widths.
Grading
Grading Standards Explained
Unlike new lumber, which is graded by national standards bodies like the NHLA, reclaimed wood grading reflects both structural integrity and visual character. We use a four-tier grading system that helps you choose the right material for your application.
Select Grade
The cleanest material in our inventory. Select grade boards have minimal visual defects — no open knot holes, limited checking, and only minor surface character marks. Both faces are suitable for visible installation. This grade is ideal for high-end furniture, cabinetry, and finish applications where a refined appearance is desired while still retaining the subtle warmth and density of old-growth wood.
Permitted Defects
Tight knots only, no open holes, minimal checking, light patina permitted
Typical Yield
Approximately 20–30% of a typical salvage lot
Price Modifier
+40–60% over Character grade
Character Grade
Our most popular grade and the heart of what reclaimed wood is about. Character grade boards feature moderate nail holes (filled or open), visible patina, surface checking, occasional worm tracking, and the honest marks of a century of use. At least one face is clean enough for visible installation. This grade offers the best balance of visual character and practical usability.
Permitted Defects
Nail holes, moderate checking, patina, minor insect tracking, filled defects
Typical Yield
Approximately 40–50% of a typical salvage lot
Price Modifier
Base pricing
Rustic Grade
Maximum character for maximum impact. Rustic grade includes boards with heavy patina, open nail holes, deep checking, saw marks, weathering, and significant surface texture. These boards make powerful accent walls, rustic furniture, and statement installations. Not recommended for applications requiring smooth, uniform surfaces. Some boards may have structural limitations due to defect density.
Permitted Defects
Heavy patina, open holes, deep checking, saw marks, weathering, surface loss
Typical Yield
Approximately 20–30% of a typical salvage lot
Price Modifier
-20–30% below Character grade
Structural Grade
Graded specifically for load-bearing applications. Structural grade material is assessed for fiber integrity, knot size and placement, slope of grain, and cross-section completeness. This grade is available for beams, posts, and dimensional framing material. We can provide span tables and load calculations for specific applications. For critical structural use, we recommend independent engineering review.
Permitted Defects
Visual defects permitted, but no structural compromises — knots limited by size ratio, grain slope within tolerance
Typical Yield
Varies by source — typically 30–50% of beam stock
Price Modifier
+20–40% over Character grade
Applications
Common Applications
Reclaimed dimensional lumber is one of the most versatile materials available. Its applications span residential, commercial, artistic, and exterior projects. Below is a sampling of what our customers build with our stock.
Residential
- Accent walls and feature walls in living rooms, bedrooms, and entryways
- Open shelving in kitchens and bathrooms
- Custom furniture — dining tables, coffee tables, headboards, benches
- Wainscoting and wall paneling throughout the home
- Ceiling planking for exposed beam and plank ceilings
- Staircase treads, risers, and railings
- Interior and exterior trim and moldings
- Garage and workshop shelving and workbenches
Commercial & Hospitality
- Restaurant and bar interiors — walls, ceilings, bar tops, table surfaces
- Retail store fixtures, display shelving, and feature walls
- Hotel lobby accent installations and check-in desks
- Office build-outs — conference tables, reception desks, wall cladding
- Brewery and distillery tasting rooms and barrel aging environments
- Salon and spa interior finishes
- Co-working space communal tables and dividers
- Museum and gallery display structures
Art & Creative
- Large-scale wall art installations and sculptural pieces
- Photography backdrops and prop construction
- Film and television set building
- Sign making and lettering boards
- Mixed-media art incorporating reclaimed wood elements
- Gallery framing using reclaimed molding profiles
- Woodworking class and workshop raw material
- Maker space projects and prototyping
Exterior & Garden
- Fencing and privacy screens (rot-resistant species only)
- Raised garden bed construction
- Pergola and arbor framing
- Outdoor furniture — Adirondack chairs, benches, picnic tables
- Deck and patio accents
- Planter boxes and window boxes
- Exterior cladding and siding (with proper weather protection)
- Gate construction and outdoor signage
Provenance
Where Our Lumber Comes From
Every piece of reclaimed lumber has a story. While we cannot trace every board to its exact origin tree, we carefully document the structures our material comes from. Here are the primary sources that feed our inventory.
Pre-war residential buildings
1880s–1940s · Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx
Primarily white pine and oak framing, heart pine flooring, chestnut trim. Often the highest-quality residential timber.
Industrial warehouses
1890s–1960s · Red Hook, Sunset Park, LIC
Heavy Douglas fir and Southern yellow pine timbers. Extremely dense from slow-growth forests. Common beam source.
Factory buildings
1870s–1930s · Throughout NYC metro
Maple and oak factory flooring, massive structural beams, varied dimensional stock. Often the densest material we handle.
Barn deconstruction
1800s–1940s · Upstate NY, NJ, CT, PA
Hand-hewn oak and chestnut beams, hemlock and pine siding, varied framing lumber. Strong rural character.
Bridge and dock structures
1880s–1950s · East River, Hudson River, NJ waterfront
Douglas fir and white oak heavy timbers. Water exposure creates unique patina. Extremely dense and durable.
Institutional buildings
1890s–1960s · Schools, churches, hospitals across NYC
High-quality finish lumber, architectural trim, wide-plank flooring. Often the cleanest material with the least damage.
Processing
Processing Options
We process reclaimed lumber to four standard levels, from raw salvaged boards to fully surfaced and kiln-dried material ready for fine woodworking. Each level of processing preserves a different amount of the wood's original character while increasing its dimensional precision.
Rough Sawn
As-salvaged with character — nail holes, saw marks, patina intact. De-nailed and metal-detected only. Maximum character, requires the buyer to do all further processing. Ideal for accent walls, rustic furniture, and applications where raw character is the goal.
Base price
S2S (Surfaced 2 Sides)
Two faces planed smooth, edges left rough. A popular middle ground — reveals the wood grain and color while leaving the edges with original character. Good for shelving, tabletops, and paneling where edges will be hidden.
+$0.50/bf
S4S (Surfaced 4 Sides)
All four faces planed smooth — ready to use as-is or with minimal finish sanding. This is the most popular option for furniture, trim, and any visible installation where consistent thickness and clean edges are important.
+$1.00/bf
Kiln Dried
Dried to 6–12% MC in our dehumidification kiln for interior use and stability. Kiln treatment also kills any potential insects. Required for flooring, furniture, and any dimensionally-critical interior application.
+$1.50/bf
Moisture Content
Moisture Content Specifications
Proper moisture content is critical for reclaimed wood performance. Wood that is too wet will shrink, cup, and crack as it dries. Wood that is too dry may absorb ambient moisture and expand. We target specific moisture levels for different applications.
| Application | Target MC | Drying Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior furniture & cabinetry | 6–8% | Kiln dried | Must acclimate 5–7 days in final environment before fabrication |
| Interior flooring | 6–9% | Kiln dried | Match to expected in-service environment humidity |
| Interior paneling & trim | 8–10% | Kiln dried or air dried | Allow for seasonal movement in solid wood installations |
| Covered exterior (porches, pergolas) | 12–15% | Air dried | Seal all end grain, apply exterior finish within 2 weeks of installation |
| Exposed exterior | 15–19% | Air dried | Use rot-resistant species only (oak, cypress, cedar). Apply exterior sealant. |
| Structural framing | 12–19% | Air dried or kiln dried | Consult structural engineer for allowable MC in your application |
Pricing
Pricing by Species & Grade
Prices shown are per board foot for rough-sawn material. Add processing surcharges for surfacing and kiln drying. Prices may vary based on current inventory levels and dimensional requirements. Contact us for an exact quote on your project.
Bulk discounts: 5% off at 500+ BF, 10% off at 1,000+ BF, 15-20% off at 5,000+ BF.
| Species | Select Grade | Character Grade | Rustic Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern White Pine | $6–$9 | $4–$6 | $3–$5 |
| Hemlock | $6–$8 | $4–$6 | $3–$4 |
| Douglas Fir | $8–$12 | $6–$9 | $4–$7 |
| Red Oak | $10–$14 | $7–$10 | $5–$8 |
| White Oak | $12–$18 | $8–$12 | $6–$9 |
| Heart Pine | $14–$20 | $10–$14 | $7–$10 |
| Maple | $10–$15 | $7–$11 | $5–$8 |
| American Chestnut | $18–$30+ | $14–$22 | $10–$16 |
| Walnut | $16–$28 | $12–$20 | $8–$14 |
| Cypress | $10–$16 | $8–$12 | $6–$9 |
| Elm | $10–$14 | $7–$10 | $5–$8 |
| Poplar | $5–$8 | $3–$6 | $2–$4 |
Installation
Working With Reclaimed Lumber
Reclaimed wood behaves differently from new lumber in several important ways. Follow these guidelines for the best results in your project.
Acclimate Before Use
Allow reclaimed lumber to acclimate in its final environment for at least 5 to 7 days before installation or fabrication. Stack boards with spacers between them to allow air circulation on all faces. This is especially critical for flooring and furniture applications.
Pre-drill for Fasteners
Old-growth reclaimed wood is significantly harder and denser than modern lumber. Always pre-drill for screws and nails to prevent splitting, especially near board ends. Use drill bits sized 80% of your fastener shank diameter.
Use Sharp Tools
Dense reclaimed wood dulls blades and bits faster than modern lumber. Use carbide-tipped saw blades and sharp drill bits. For planing and jointing, freshly sharpened or new knives will give you clean cuts without tear-out.
Check for Hidden Metal
Despite our thorough de-nailing process, reclaimed wood may occasionally contain deeply embedded metal fragments. Run a handheld metal detector over boards before cutting, especially near knot areas and old joint locations. One hidden nail can destroy a saw blade.
Expect Variation
No two pieces of reclaimed wood are identical. Color, grain pattern, texture, and character marks will vary board to board, even within the same lot and species. This variation is the defining beauty of reclaimed wood — plan your layout to embrace it.
Finish Promptly
Once reclaimed wood is surfaced or sanded, the fresh wood is exposed to air and will begin to oxidize and change color within days. Apply your chosen finish (oil, polyurethane, wax, or stain) within 48 hours of final sanding for the most consistent color.
Seal End Grain
The end grain of reclaimed lumber absorbs moisture much faster than face grain. Seal all end cuts with wax or end-grain sealer, especially for exterior applications or in humid environments, to prevent checking and splitting.
Plan for Movement
Solid reclaimed wood will expand and contract with seasonal humidity changes, just like new wood. Allow for expansion gaps in flooring installations, use proper joinery techniques for furniture, and avoid gluing reclaimed panels tight to frames.
Care & Maintenance
Caring for Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is remarkably durable — it has already survived a century or more. With proper care, your reclaimed wood installation will last another hundred years. Here are our recommendations for long-term maintenance.
Interior Surfaces
Dust regularly with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners. For oiled finishes, reapply oil annually or when the surface appears dry. For polyurethane finishes, clean with a pH-neutral wood cleaner.
Flooring
Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit that can scratch the finish. Use felt pads under furniture legs. Clean with a wood-specific floor cleaner monthly. Refinish high-traffic areas every 5 to 7 years, or as needed.
Exterior Installations
Inspect annually for signs of moisture damage, checking, or finish failure. Reapply exterior sealant or stain every 1 to 3 years depending on sun and weather exposure. Keep wood clear of soil contact and standing water.
Furniture
Use coasters and placemats to protect tabletops. Wipe spills immediately to prevent staining. For oiled furniture, apply a maintenance coat of the original oil every 6 to 12 months. Avoid placing in direct sunlight to minimize color change.
Humidity Control
Maintain indoor relative humidity between 35% and 55% year-round to minimize wood movement. Use humidifiers in winter and dehumidifiers in summer if needed. This is especially important for flooring and large panel installations.
Patina Preservation
If you want to preserve the original aged patina of your reclaimed wood, avoid sanding or planing the surface. Apply a clear finish (matte polyurethane or natural oil) directly over the aged surface. This locks in the character while providing protection.