Question 1

What is reclaimed lumber?

Accepted Answer

Reclaimed lumber is wood that has been salvaged from existing structures — demolished buildings, old barns, factories, warehouses, bridges, and other sources — then inspected, processed, and made available for reuse. Unlike freshly harvested timber, reclaimed lumber carries a history and often features unique character such as patina, nail holes, and weathering that cannot be replicated with new materials.

Question 2

Is reclaimed lumber as strong as new lumber?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, reclaimed lumber is actually stronger than comparable new lumber. Old-growth timber, which is commonly found in reclaimed stock, comes from trees that grew slowly over hundreds of years, producing tighter grain patterns and higher density. This translates to greater strength, better dimensional stability, and increased resistance to warping and splitting. Every piece we sell is inspected and graded to ensure structural integrity.

Question 3

How is reclaimed lumber priced?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on species, dimensions, grade, and availability. Premium species like old-growth Redwood or Black Walnut command higher prices due to rarity and demand. Standard reclaimed framing lumber — such as Douglas Fir 2x4s and 2x6s — is often priced competitively with or below new lumber. We provide free quotes for all projects. Contact us with your species, dimensions, quantity, and grade requirements for an accurate estimate.

Question 4

Do you deliver reclaimed lumber?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer delivery throughout California and neighboring states. Our logistics team handles everything from small residential orders to full truckloads for commercial projects. Delivery fees are based on distance, order size, and accessibility of the delivery location. For large orders, we can often arrange competitive freight rates. Local pickup at our facility is also available at no charge.

Question 5

Can I visit your facility and select lumber in person?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We encourage customers to visit our yard, especially for appearance-critical projects where you want to hand-select specific boards. Our team can walk you through available inventory, discuss your project requirements, and help identify the best material. We recommend scheduling a visit in advance so we can have relevant stock pulled and ready for your review.

Question 6

What species are available in your reclaimed inventory?

Accepted Answer

Our inventory changes regularly as we receive new salvage material. Commonly available species include Douglas Fir, Redwood, White Oak, Red Oak, Ponderosa Pine, Heart Pine, Western Red Cedar, and various hardwoods. We occasionally receive rare species like American Chestnut and old-growth Eastern White Pine. Check our Wood Species Guide for detailed information on each species, or contact us to inquire about current stock.

Question 7

Can you mill reclaimed lumber to custom dimensions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer custom milling services. Our equipment can plane, rip, cross-cut, and profile reclaimed lumber to your exact specifications. Common custom milling requests include tongue-and-groove flooring, shiplap siding, mantels from reclaimed beams, and custom-width boards for furniture projects. Minimum order quantities may apply for certain milling operations.

Question 8

Is reclaimed lumber safe? What about lead paint and chemicals?

Accepted Answer

Safety is a top priority in our processing. All reclaimed lumber undergoes thorough inspection for contaminants including lead paint, creosote, CCA (chromated copper arsenate) treatment, and other chemical treatments. Material with any chemical contamination is segregated and handled according to environmental regulations — it never enters our retail inventory. We can provide documentation certifying that the material you purchase is free of harmful substances.

Question 9

Does reclaimed lumber meet building codes?

Accepted Answer

Reclaimed lumber can absolutely be used in code-compliant construction. The key is proper grading. We grade our reclaimed structural lumber according to the same standards used for new lumber, which building officials recognize. For structural applications, our grade stamps and documentation satisfy inspection requirements. Additionally, California's CALGreen building code actively encourages the use of reclaimed and recycled materials.

Question 10

How do I calculate how much lumber I need?

Accepted Answer

Start by determining the square footage or linear footage required for your project, then convert to board feet. Board feet are calculated as (Thickness x Width x Length in feet) / 12, using nominal dimensions. We recommend ordering 10-15% extra to account for waste, cut-offs, and the ability to be selective with individual boards. Our team can help you estimate quantities — just share your project plans or dimensions and we will provide a detailed material list.

Question 11

Do you buy used lumber or accept lumber donations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we actively purchase used lumber and accept donations. If you have a demolition project, renovation generating surplus wood, or leftover building materials, contact us for an evaluation. We assess the species, dimensions, condition, and quantity to provide a fair offer. For large demolition projects, we can arrange on-site pickup. Donated materials may qualify for a tax-deductible receipt.

Question 12

What is the environmental benefit of using reclaimed lumber?

Accepted Answer

Every board foot of reclaimed lumber used is a board foot that did not require harvesting a living tree. Beyond forest preservation, reclaimed lumber reduces landfill waste — an estimated 20 million tons of wood enters US landfills annually. It also has a dramatically lower carbon footprint than new lumber, since it bypasses the energy-intensive processes of logging, transportation, milling, kiln drying, and chemical treatment. Using reclaimed wood can reduce construction-related carbon emissions by up to 50%.

Question 13

How long does it take to fulfill an order?

Accepted Answer

For in-stock items, we can typically ship or prepare for pickup within 2-5 business days. Custom milling orders usually require 1-3 weeks depending on the scope of work and current demand. Large commercial orders or special sourcing requests may take longer. We provide estimated timelines with every quote and keep you updated throughout the process. Rush orders can be accommodated when possible — ask about expedited processing.

Question 14

Do you offer samples?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we provide samples for customers evaluating species, grades, or finishes for their projects. Small sample pieces are available at minimal cost (often refunded against your order). For large commercial projects, we can prepare more substantial sample sets. Samples are especially useful when matching existing woodwork in renovation projects or when presenting material options to clients.

Mistake	What Happens	Better Approach
Ordering exact takeoff quantities	No allowance for defect trimming, color selection, or layout waste	Order 10-15% overage for appearance-driven reclaimed material
Assuming every salvaged board is structural	Some pieces are decorative only after inspection and de-nailing	Separate structural requirements from finish or accent requirements early
Waiting until demo day to plan salvage	Labor crews move too fast and valuable stock is damaged or dumped	Coordinate recovery before demolition mobilizes
Ignoring moisture and acclimation	Movement, cupping, or gaps after installation	Stage reclaimed wood correctly before install, especially indoors
Using vague quote requests	Back-and-forth delays and broad pricing ranges	Send dimensions, use case, quantity, and photos in the first message

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Lumber Size Guide

Lumber Grades Explained

Wood Species Guide