Lumber Resources & Guides
We believe knowledge should be free. Browse our library of guides, grading charts, and educational articles to make smarter decisions about reclaimed lumber.
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Everything You Need to Know
Whether you are a contractor specifying materials, a homeowner planning a renovation, or a woodworker looking for the perfect board, these guides will help you make informed decisions.
Why We Share Our Knowledge
Reclaimed lumber is not like buying a commodity off the shelf. Every board is different. Every species has unique properties. Every grade tells you something about what that wood can do. Understanding these differences is the key to a successful project.
We have spent years learning the nuances of salvaged wood -- from grading heart pine pulled from a 150-year-old warehouse to measuring the actual dimensions of rough-sawn cypress that predates modern sizing standards. That knowledge should not stay locked in our heads.
When our customers understand their materials, they make better choices, waste less wood, and end up with finished projects that last. An educated buyer is our best customer.
Latest Articles
Deep dives into reclaimed wood, sustainability, and building with character.
Specialized Resources
Dive deeper into reclaimed lumber topics with these specialized guides covering terminology, care and maintenance, and more.
Downloadable Resources
Printable quick-reference guides designed to help on the job site, in the lumber yard, or at your workbench. Keep these in your truck or tack them to your shop wall.
Reclaimed Lumber Buyer's Checklist
A one-page checklist covering everything to inspect when purchasing reclaimed lumber: moisture content, fastener removal, species verification, structural integrity, lead paint concerns, and grading criteria. Print it and bring it to any lumber yard.
Wood Species ID Card
A pocket-sized reference card with identification tips for the seven most common reclaimed species. Includes grain patterns, color descriptions, weight comparisons, and smell characteristics for quick field identification.
Sizing Quick Reference
A compact table of nominal vs. actual dimensions, era-based sizing (pre-1900, 1900-1950, post-1964), the board foot formula, and common conversion factors. Designed to fit in a tool belt or tape measure case.
Sustainability Impact Report
A data-driven summary of the environmental benefits of using reclaimed lumber: carbon sequestration calculations, landfill diversion metrics, embodied energy comparisons, and LEED credit documentation templates.
Video Resources
Some things are easier to learn by watching. Our planned video series covers the hands-on skills and knowledge that make working with reclaimed lumber successful.
How We Process Reclaimed Lumber
12 minFollow a load of salvaged lumber from the demolition site through our entire processing workflow: receiving and sorting, metal detection and de-nailing, species identification, grading, kiln drying, and inventory staging. See the equipment, techniques, and quality checks that turn raw salvage into premium reclaimed stock.
Coming SoonSpecies Identification in the Field
18 minLearn to identify the most common reclaimed species by sight, touch, weight, and smell without any lab equipment. We walk through cypress, heart pine, white oak, red oak, poplar, cedar, and Douglas fir with side-by-side comparisons, end-grain close-ups, and the subtle clues that distinguish similar-looking species.
Coming SoonBoard Foot Calculation Made Simple
8 minA hands-on tutorial showing how to calculate board feet for individual boards, stacks of lumber, and entire project material lists. Includes the quick mental-math shortcuts that experienced lumber buyers use, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to translate board foot pricing into project budgets.
Coming SoonFinishing Techniques for Reclaimed Wood
22 minComparing the most popular finish options for reclaimed lumber: raw (unfinished), penetrating oil, Danish oil, tung oil, water-based polyurethane, oil-based polyurethane, lacquer, and wax. See each finish applied to the same board so you can compare sheen, color enhancement, and texture. Covers surface preparation, application methods, dry times, and long-term maintenance.
Coming SoonReclaimed Wood Accent Wall: Start to Finish
25 minA complete project walkthrough showing how to plan, measure, select material, prepare the substrate, and install a reclaimed wood accent wall. Covers layout patterns (horizontal, vertical, herringbone, mixed-width), fastening methods, cutting around outlets, and finishing touches.
Coming SoonStill Have Questions?
Our team has decades of experience with reclaimed lumber. Reach out and we will help you find the right wood for your project.
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