NEW YORKLUMBER

Resources

Learn Before You Build

Expert guides, tools, and references to help you make informed decisions about reclaimed wood for your project.

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Whether you are an architect specifying reclaimed wood for a LEED project, a contractor pricing a renovation, a designer searching for the perfect species match, or a homeowner planning your first reclaimed wood purchase, our resource library is designed to give you the knowledge you need to make confident decisions.

Every resource below is written and maintained by our team of wood specialists, sustainability experts, and industry professionals. We update our content regularly to reflect current pricing, availability, best practices, and regulatory changes. If you cannot find what you are looking for, our team is available by phone and email to answer your questions directly.

Guides & Tools

Core Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about reclaimed wood — quality, pricing, availability, lead times, and more. Over 25 questions organized by category with detailed, expert-written answers.

Our FAQ covers everything from species identification and structural grading to delivery logistics and LEED documentation. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an experienced contractor, you will find answers to the questions that matter most for your project.

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Lumber Glossary

Comprehensive glossary of lumber terminology — from air-dried to zero-waste, we define every term you'll encounter when buying, selling, or working with reclaimed lumber.

Over 60 terms defined with clear explanations, cross-references, and context specific to reclaimed wood. Organized alphabetically with letter navigation for quick access. An essential reference for anyone new to the lumber industry.

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Sustainability Guide

A deep dive into why reclaimed wood is one of the most sustainable building materials available and how to verify eco-claims with real data.

This guide covers the carbon math of material choices, lifecycle analysis comparisons, certification pathways including LEED and Living Building Challenge, case studies with real project numbers, and actionable steps for architects, builders, and homeowners.

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Carbon Calculator

Interactive tool to estimate the environmental impact of choosing reclaimed lumber over new for your project.

Enter your project dimensions and species, and our calculator estimates the CO₂ savings, tree equivalents preserved, water conserved, and energy saved by choosing reclaimed. Results can be exported as a PDF for inclusion in green building documentation.

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Board Foot Calculator

Calculate board feet instantly for project planning and cost estimation.

Input length, width, and thickness in any combination of inches and feet. The calculator handles standard and non-standard dimensions, provides cost estimates at various price points, and supports batch calculations for multi-piece orders.

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Grading Standards

Complete guide to lumber grading systems — structural, appearance, and reclaimed wood classification.

Understand the NHLA hardwood grading system, softwood structural grades, and our proprietary dual grading system for reclaimed wood that evaluates both structural integrity and aesthetic character. Includes visual examples and grade comparison charts.

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Downloads

Downloadable Resources

Spec sheets, care guides, project planning tools, and documentation templates available for free download.

PDF

Reclaimed Wood Species Identification Sheet

Visual guide to the 20 most common reclaimed wood species with grain patterns, color samples, and identification tips.

2.4 MB
PDF

Product Specification Sheets

Technical specifications for our standard products including flooring, paneling, beams, and dimensional lumber.

1.8 MB
PDF

Reclaimed Wood Care & Maintenance Guide

Comprehensive guide to cleaning, protecting, and maintaining reclaimed wood in interior and exterior applications.

1.2 MB
PDF

LEED Documentation Template

Template for documenting reclaimed material use for LEED MR Credit 3 submissions. Includes sample material passport.

0.9 MB
PDF

Project Planning Worksheet

Worksheet for estimating material quantities, costs, and timelines for reclaimed wood projects.

0.6 MB

Industry Resources

Useful Industry Links

Organizations, standards bodies, and tools that we reference regularly and recommend to our clients.

Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA)

National organization advancing the recovery, reuse, and recycling of building materials.

bmra.org

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

Organization behind the LEED green building certification system.

usgbc.org

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

International organization promoting responsible management of the world's forests.

fsc.org

National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA)

The authoritative source for hardwood lumber grading rules and standards.

nhla.com

American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC)

Organization that establishes grading standards for softwood lumber in the United States.

alsc.org

EPA WARM Model

EPA's Waste Reduction Model for estimating greenhouse gas emission reductions from waste management practices.

epa.gov/warm

Further Reading

Recommended Books

Our team's picks for essential reading on wood, sustainability, and the circular economy.

Understanding Wood

by R. Bruce Hoadley

The definitive guide to wood as a material — structure, identification, properties, and behavior. Essential reading for anyone working with wood.

The New Carbon Architecture

by Bruce King

How buildings can become carbon sinks rather than carbon sources. Includes extensive coverage of reclaimed and salvaged materials.

Cradle to Cradle

by William McDonough & Michael Braungart

The foundational text on circular economy design principles. Highly relevant to understanding why material reuse matters.

A Sand County Almanac

by Aldo Leopold

A classic of environmental writing that frames the ethical relationship between humans and the natural world.

Stay Informed

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive new articles, inventory updates, sustainability reports, and event announcements. We also publish seasonal guides on topics like winter wood care, spring project planning, and species-specific deep dives.

Have a question we have not covered? Our team of wood specialists, sustainability experts, and operations professionals is available to help. Reach out directly and we will get you an answer.