Different people are motivated by
different issues. The obvious answer is that it's the right thing to do.
Reusing the lumber from old buildings keeps this valuable commodity in
circulation where it would otherwise wind up in a burn pile or landfill.
Reuse softens the demand for high-quality wood that can only be had by
logging our remaining old-growth forests, thus helping to conserve ancient
forests and reducing impacts on the fish and wildlife that depend on them.
In regard to redwood, commercial logging of old growth trees is near its
end. The best way to secure remnants of this precious resource is to
re-use what a previous generation removed from the forest.
Here are some other very good reasons to choose recycled lumber.
All of our lumber is old growth
lumber, sawn from some of the first forests to be harvested in the
late 1800's and early part of the 1900's. The grain is closely spaced
and, since it is air dried (as opposed to kiln dried), the natural
resins of the tree and the cell structure of the wood are still
intact. This leads to a harder product and one which has an
internally glowing patina when finished. For exposed woodwork, be it massive timber frame or subtle, fine crafted
woodwork, there is nothing like it.
If you want to give a project both
elegance and rustic charm the "distressed" nature of some recycled
timbers, with their nail and bolt holes and various splits, cracks and
notches from aging and construction, lend a unique character to the
wood.
Wood like this speaks to those people
who care to listen. A chorus of voices, fixed in time for the eye to
admire and the hand to touch, resonate with the labor of hard-won human
endeavor and the whisper of wind high in the tree tops.
Apples to apples, no. Our reclaimed redwood lumber
is from 100% old growth stock that has been air dried slowly over a long
period of time. There is a great difference between what we offer and
what is commercially available from green lumber. Still, recycled lumber
is priced competitively with green lumber of the same species, grade and
dimension. Where reclaimed timber prices diverge from green lumber is in
high grade and the large dimension pieces. The fact is many of the larger
dimension timbers from 6x12 on up, commonly used in construction 50 or 100
years ago simply do not exist in today's lumber market. Glue-laminated
wood, Steel, or reinforced concrete beams have taken their place.
While large dimension lumber can be had
on a custom cut basis, the process is problematic. A query of redwood
mills up and down the California coast for dry, 7 grain per inch, clear
heart 12x 12's yielded this response: "$12.00 a board foot. Green. Two
year wait... If we can get it." Hence the larger dimension timbers,
either reclaimed or green, carry their own intrinsic value above and
beyond the market price of common dimensional lumber.
Regarding value, reclaimed, air dried
lumber is superior in every way to kiln dried lumber. Kiln drying speeds
up the process by subjecting the wood to heat and pressure. This weakens
the cell walls as the moisture is rapidly drawn away. The wood fibers are
also stressed by the heat. They no longer have "life." Air dried wood
has more resistance to scratches and dings. In addition, its color and
appearance is distinctive. Some say that it projects a glow from its
depth. With practice, you can distinguish the old from the new. Once it
is in your home, you will certainly feel the difference.
Douglas-fir timber prices range from $0.85 to $2.00
per board foot.
Redwood timber prices are from $2.25 to $10.00 per
board foot.
Western Red Cedar timber prices are from $1.00 to $3.00
per board foot.
Prices are dependent upon specie, dimension,
length, condition and grade. There is a wide variety of all these
qualities in the inventory and we are unable to put a fixed price on
each stick of wood on this website. A 12" x 12" timber will cost less than a 16" x 16"
one. A 12' length less than a 20' length. Also, for example, in
pricing 3" x 14" Douglas-fir joists, some units will cost $1.50/BF
while those that are extra clean or contain clear lumber will cost
$2.50/BF. See our
current price page
We do not sell rotten, split or defective lumber
unless it is noted by the buyer who plans to re-mill the stock or use
it in an application where that is not a consideration. The price will
reflect any defect.
We will do our best to accurately
describe the lumber, its physical condition, or to supply photographs of
the lumber prior to shipping. It is the Buyer's responsibility to inspect
the material or to have an agent inspect the material prior to purchase.
There will be no refunds once the lumber is shipped.
All orders are considered custom
orders. Minimum order is $1000.00. All lumber is sold as is where is,
with no guarantees implied or stated. The lumber is in banded units. All
prices are Freight On Board: Arcata, California, 95521. A deposit of 50% of the purchase price initiates an order. Twenty
percent of the deposit is non-refundable. The balance of the purchase
price is due and payable prior to shipping. We will provide shipping
options and arrange shipping as per buyer's instructions. Payment for
shipping will be the responsibility of the buyer unless other arrangements
have been made. We accept credit card payments through Google CheckOut invoices.
We make a determined effort to remove any
and all metal from the lumber based on visual inspection at the time of
deconstruction. We do miss some nails and lumber may still contain nails
and other metal, paint or finishes upon delivery.
We will gladly arrange to have lumber
electronically scanned and denailed. Electronically scanning and removal
of metal: $50 to $100 per thousand board feet (MBF).
Yes! We can re-mill or surface to a
buyer's specifications. Approximate costs for the above services are as
follows:
Re-milling: $250 to $500/MBF, Surfacing
$100 to$200/MBF.
Costs tend to vary with the number of cuts made or surfaces treated
All costs associated with de-nailing
and electronically scanning, milling and surfacing, freight to and from
the mill are assumed by the buyer. Should the buyer not purchase the
finished material, the 50% deposit will not be refunded.
Our
structural old growth timbers often exceed qualities necessary to meet
local building codes because codes now are based on wider grain, second-
and third-growth stock. However, not all reclaimed timbers can be
grade-stamped at their original grade level due to bolt holes or other
conditions. We advise that your architect or structural engineer perform
load and bearing calculations that takes the unique characteristics of
this material into account. Generally, building designers "over build"
with these timbers. That is, they specify timbers that are larger than
those required by the codes. An architect's or structural engineer's
stamp of approval will satisfy the building inspector's need for claim of
responsibility to meet code structural requirements.
There is a commercial airport in Arcata (serviced by United
Express and Horizon Airlines) and several non-commercial airfields in the
Eureka area. If you plan to fly in, let us know and we will pick you up.
