NorfolkLumber Co.

Custom Milling

Your project. Your dimensions. We transform rough reclaimed timber into precisely cut, surface-finished stock tailored to your exact specifications.

Variety of reclaimed lumber boards and planks stacked at Norfolk Lumber yard

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US: 12345 / CA: A1A 1A1

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Our Milling Capabilities

Reclaimed lumber often arrives rough, oversized, or in non-standard dimensions. Our milling operation bridges the gap between raw salvaged material and your finished project. We can take a 12×12 barn beam and resaw it into 1-inch boards. We can plane weathered barn siding to reveal the rich grain beneath. We can cut tongue-and-groove profiles for flooring and paneling.

Milling Services

Resawing

Slice thick timbers into thinner boards. Turn a single beam into multiple planks while preserving the grain pattern.

Planing & Surfacing

Remove rough surfaces, level warps, and bring boards to consistent thickness. Available in S2S, S3S, and S4S finishes.

Tongue & Groove

Custom T&G profiles for flooring, paneling, and siding. Multiple width options and profile depths available.

Shiplap & V-Joint

Overlap and channel profiles for wall and ceiling cladding. Clean, contemporary look from vintage material.

Edge Jointing

Straight, true edges for glue-ups, table tops, and panel construction. Essential for furniture-grade work.

Kiln Drying

We kiln-dry reclaimed lumber to target moisture content (typically 6-8%) to ensure dimensional stability in your finished project.

Machine Capabilities

Our milling shop is equipped with industrial-grade machinery specifically selected for processing reclaimed lumber. Here is a detailed look at our primary equipment and what it can do for your project.

Wood-Mizer LT40 Wide Band Saw

Resawing & Primary Breakdown

  • Max log/timber diameter: 28 inches
  • Max cutting width: 36 inches
  • Blade: 1-1/4" Stellite-tipped band blade
  • Cutting accuracy: ±0.010 inches
  • Max cutting length: 21 feet
  • Hydraulic log handling with 3-ton capacity

Our primary resawing machine. This wide-throat band saw is the workhorse of our operation, capable of slicing 12×12 beams into consistent 1-inch boards or cutting custom thicknesses from any timber up to 28 inches in diameter. The Stellite-tipped blade maintains its edge through dense old-growth hardwoods and handles embedded mineral deposits without frequent resharpening. We use this machine for all initial breakdown of large timbers and for resawing thick planks to thinner stock.

Powermatic 209HH 20-Inch Planer

Planing & Surfacing

  • Max planing width: 20 inches
  • Max planing thickness: 8 inches
  • Min planing thickness: 3/16 inch
  • Feed rate: 16 to 22 FPM (variable)
  • Cutterhead: helical carbide insert head, 74 inserts
  • Motor: 7.5 HP, 230V 3-phase

This heavy-duty planer surfaces rough-sawn reclaimed boards to precise, consistent thicknesses. The helical carbide insert cutterhead produces a glass-smooth finish with minimal tear-out, even on figured and interlocked grain — a common challenge with reclaimed hardwoods. Individual carbide inserts can be rotated or replaced one at a time, reducing downtime and cost compared to traditional straight-knife planers. We use this machine for all S2S (surfaced two sides) and thickness-calibration work.

Weinig Powermat 700 Moulder

Profile Milling

  • Working width: up to 9-1/4 inches
  • Working thickness: up to 6 inches
  • Number of spindles: 5 (top, bottom, left, right, universal)
  • Spindle speed: 6,000 RPM
  • Feed rate: 20 to 65 FPM
  • Profile changeover time: under 15 minutes

The five-spindle moulder is where flat boards become finished flooring, paneling, and siding. All five spindles operate simultaneously — bottom for thickness, sides for width and tongue/groove profiles, top for surface and decorative profiles, and the universal spindle for specialty cuts. This machine produces tongue-and-groove, shiplap, V-joint, beadboard, and dozens of other profiles in a single pass. Custom knife profiles can be ground to match existing millwork or create unique designs. This machine is the backbone of our flooring and paneling production.

Nyle L200 Dehumidification Kiln

Kiln Drying

  • Capacity: 3,000 board feet per load
  • Chamber dimensions: 8 ft × 8 ft × 16 ft
  • Temperature range: 80°F to 160°F
  • Target moisture content: 6% to 8% (adjustable)
  • Typical cycle time: 4 to 8 weeks (depending on species and initial MC)
  • Dehumidification with heat recovery for energy efficiency

Our dehumidification kiln dries reclaimed lumber gently and uniformly, reducing moisture content from as high as 25% to a target of 6% to 8% for interior applications. Unlike conventional steam kilns that can cause case-hardening and surface checking in dense old-growth wood, dehumidification drying operates at lower temperatures and removes moisture gradually. This preserves the integrity of the wood and reduces internal stress. We monitor each load with wireless moisture probes embedded in sample boards, checking readings daily and adjusting the schedule as needed.

Grizzly G0586 18-Inch Jointer

Edge Jointing & Face Jointing

  • Table length: 96 inches (combined infeed and outfeed)
  • Max jointing width: 18 inches
  • Max cutting depth: 1/2 inch
  • Fence: 5-1/2 inch tall, tilts 45 degrees
  • Cutterhead: spiral carbide insert, 48 inserts
  • Motor: 5 HP, 230V 3-phase

The jointer creates perfectly straight, flat edges and faces on reclaimed boards — an essential first step before glue-ups, panel construction, and edge-joining for table tops. The 96-inch combined table length accommodates boards up to 8 feet long with full support. The spiral carbide cutterhead handles figured, knotty, and interlocked grain common in reclaimed lumber without the tear-out that straight-knife jointers produce. We use this machine for all edge preparation, face jointing, and squaring operations.

Profile Gallery

We offer a wide range of milling profiles for flooring, paneling, siding, and specialty applications. Each profile can be milled from any species in our inventory or from customer-supplied material.

Tongue & Groove (Standard)

T&G-STD

The classic interlocking profile for flooring and paneling. One edge has a projecting tongue and the opposite edge has a receiving groove. Our standard T&G uses a 1/4-inch tongue and groove depth, compatible with industry-standard flooring installation methods. Available in board widths from 3-1/4 inches to 7 inches. The tongue is centered on the board edge for even material on both sides.

Tongue & Groove (Wide Plank)

T&G-WP

Modified T&G profile for wide-plank flooring (8 inches and wider). Uses a deeper 3/8-inch tongue and groove to accommodate the greater expansion and contraction of wide boards. We also mill a slight back-relief (hollow) on the underside to ensure flat seating on the subfloor. Wide-plank T&G requires face-nailing or face-screwing in addition to blind-nailing through the tongue.

Shiplap

SHIP

A rabbet joint cut into both edges of the board so they overlap when installed. Creates a clean, horizontal shadow line between boards. Our standard shiplap has a 3/4-inch overlap and a 1/4-inch reveal gap. Shiplap is easier to install than T&G (boards simply overlap rather than interlock) and is preferred for wall and ceiling applications where the natural gap accommodates seasonal wood movement without visible gapping.

Nickel-Gap Shiplap

SHIP-NG

A variation of standard shiplap with a small channel (approximately the width of a nickel, 1/16 inch) milled into the overlap joint. This creates a consistent, defined shadow line between boards regardless of seasonal wood movement. Nickel-gap shiplap is the most popular profile for interior wall cladding because it produces a clean, modern look with uniform spacing. Particularly popular in kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms.

V-Joint (V-Groove)

VJ

Tongue-and-groove boards with a V-shaped chamfer milled on the face edges. When installed, the chamfers from adjacent boards meet to form a decorative V-groove channel between each board. The V-joint profile is classic for ceiling treatments, wainscoting, and porch ceilings. Our standard V is a 45-degree chamfer, 1/8 inch deep. A more pronounced V (1/4 inch deep) is available on request.

Beadboard

BEAD

Tongue-and-groove boards with a half-round bead profile milled on one or both face edges. Classic Victorian and Craftsman-era profile used for wainscoting, cabinet backs, porch ceilings, and bathroom walls. Our standard beadboard has a single 3/16-inch bead on each board edge. Double-bead and triple-bead profiles are available for boards 5-1/2 inches and wider, creating the appearance of narrower individual boards.

Board & Batten

B&B

Not technically a milled profile, but a milling service we offer: boards are ripped to consistent widths (typically 8 to 12 inches) and battens are ripped to narrow strips (typically 1-1/2 to 3 inches). Installed with boards butted edge-to-edge and battens nailed over the joints. Traditional exterior siding profile now increasingly popular for interior accent walls. We can mill boards and battens from the same reclaimed stock for consistent color and character.

Channel Rustic (Log Cabin)

CR

A shiplap-style profile with a deeper overlap and a flat face that creates the appearance of hand-hewn log construction. The overlap is typically 1 inch deep with a slight curve at the transition. Channel rustic siding and paneling are popular for cabins, lodges, and rustic commercial spaces. We mill this profile from 1-inch and thicker reclaimed boards, preserving the original rough-sawn face for maximum texture.

Cove & Bead (Reversible)

C&B

A premium profile with a cove (concave arc) on one face edge and a bead (convex arc) on the other. When installed, adjacent boards display alternating cove and bead joints. This profile can be installed cove-side-out for a formal, traditional look or bead-side-out for a more rustic appearance. Popular for ceiling applications in formal dining rooms and libraries. Available in widths from 3-1/4 inches to 5-1/2 inches.

Square Edge (S4S)

S4S

Surfaced on all four sides with square, sharp edges. This is not a decorative profile but rather a clean preparation of rough-sawn reclaimed boards for use in butcher-block-style glue-ups, shelving, furniture components, and any application requiring precise, uniform dimensions. S4S boards have a smooth, planed surface ready for final sanding and finishing. Available in any dimensions our planer and jointer can accommodate.

Live Edge / Natural Edge

LIVE

Rather than milling the edges, we preserve the natural bark edge (or the waney edge where bark has been removed) for an organic, one-of-a-kind look. Live-edge boards are surfaced flat on top and bottom but the edges follow the natural contour of the tree. Popular for table tops, bar tops, shelving, and mantels. We stabilize loose bark with epoxy when requested and can fill voids and checks with clear or tinted resin.

Custom Matching

CUSTOM

Need to match an existing profile in your home or building? Bring us a sample piece and we will grind custom moulder knives to replicate it exactly. This service is essential for restoration projects where new material must integrate seamlessly with century-old millwork. Custom knife grinding typically adds 3 to 5 business days to the order and a one-time tooling charge of $150 to $350 depending on profile complexity. The custom knives become your property and are stored for future orders.

Turnaround Times

Turnaround depends on order size, services required, and current shop workload. The table below shows typical timelines. Kiln drying is the longest step — if your material is already at target moisture content, overall lead time is dramatically shorter.

Order SizePlaning OnlyProfile MillingKiln DryingFull Service
Small (under 100 board feet)1 – 2 days2 – 3 days4 – 6 weeks5 – 7 weeks
Medium (100 – 500 board feet)2 – 3 days3 – 5 days4 – 6 weeks5 – 7 weeks
Large (500 – 1,500 board feet)3 – 5 days5 – 8 days6 – 8 weeks7 – 9 weeks
Commercial (1,500+ board feet)5 – 10 days8 – 14 days6 – 10 weeks8 – 12 weeks

Rush orders may be available for an additional 25% to 50% surcharge, subject to shop schedule. Contact us to discuss expedited timelines.

Minimum Orders & Pricing

Milling services are priced per board foot of material processed. Setup fees apply to some profile milling services for smaller orders but are waived above the threshold shown.

ServiceMinimum OrderSetup FeePer Board FootNotes
Resawing10 board feet$0 (included in per-BF rate)$1.50 – $3.00 per board footPriced per board foot of OUTPUT material. Thicker source stock = more cuts = higher cost per BF.
Planing (S2S or S4S)10 board feet$0 (included in per-BF rate)$0.75 – $1.50 per board footPrice varies by species hardness and surface condition. Heavy rust/dirt staining increases cost.
Tongue & Groove50 board feet$75 (waived over 200 BF)$1.25 – $2.50 per board footIncludes planing to thickness. Custom widths add $0.25/BF. Wide-plank T&G (8"+) add $0.50/BF.
Shiplap / V-Joint50 board feet$75 (waived over 200 BF)$1.00 – $2.00 per board footIncludes planing. Nickel-gap adds $0.15/BF. Channel rustic adds $0.35/BF.
Beadboard50 board feet$100 (waived over 250 BF)$1.50 – $2.75 per board footDouble-bead and triple-bead profiles add $0.50/BF. Includes planing.
Edge Jointing10 board feet$0$0.50 – $0.75 per board footPer-face pricing. Both edges = one face equivalent. Recommended before all glue-ups.
Kiln DryingNo minimum (batched with other orders)$0$0.50 – $1.00 per board footPrice varies by initial MC, species, and target MC. 4/4 stock dries faster than 8/4+.
Custom Profile (Matching)50 board feet$150 – $350 (knife grinding)$1.50 – $3.50 per board footTooling charge is one-time. Knives stored for future orders. Sample piece required.

Prices are for milling service only — material cost is separate. Customer-supplied material is welcome. Contact us with your cut list for an exact quote.

Customer Success Stories

Our custom milling service has delivered results for projects ranging from single-room renovations to full commercial build-outs. Here are three representative examples.

Historic Church Restoration — Norfolk, VA

2,800 board feet of heart pine flooring

Challenge

A 1920s-era church in downtown Norfolk was undergoing a complete interior restoration. The original heart pine flooring had been damaged by decades of water infiltration and was beyond repair in several sections. The architect required new flooring that matched the original in species, width, color, and profile — including the exact tongue-and-groove dimensions and a subtle V-joint on the face edges.

Solution

We sourced 3,200 board feet of reclaimed heart pine from a tobacco warehouse demolition in North Carolina. The stock was kiln-dried to 7% MC over 6 weeks, then milled to 3/4-inch thickness with a custom T&G profile matching the original church floor (5/16-inch tongue, 5/32-inch V-chamfer). Boards were milled in three widths — 3-1/4 inch, 4 inch, and 5 inch — to match the random-width original installation. Final yield after milling was 2,850 board feet, with overage for the installer's waste allowance.

Timeline

10 weeks from order to delivery (6 weeks kiln drying, 2 weeks milling, 2 weeks quality control and delivery)

Result

The new reclaimed flooring was virtually indistinguishable from the surviving original sections. The church restoration architect reported that it was the closest match to original millwork he had achieved in 25 years of historic preservation work.

Brewery Taproom Build-Out — Virginia Beach, VA

1,400 board feet of mixed reclaimed material

Challenge

A new craft brewery required a complete interior fit-out using reclaimed wood to establish an authentic industrial aesthetic. The project included a 22-foot bar top (3-inch thick white oak), 600 square feet of accent wall cladding (mixed barn wood), 8 custom dining tables, and decorative ceiling beams. The general contractor needed all material milled to specification and delivered in a phased schedule aligned with the construction timeline.

Solution

We allocated material from three different salvage sources to create visual variety while maintaining quality. The bar top was milled from a single 12×14 white oak beam — resawn into 3-inch slabs, jointed, and glued up to a final width of 26 inches. Wall cladding was resawn from mixed barn wood to 1/2-inch thickness with rough-sawn face preserved. Table tops were planed from 2-inch heart pine planks to 1-3/4-inch finished thickness. Ceiling beams were resawn from Douglas fir timbers into decorative hollow box beams — three-sided shells that slide over hidden structural framing.

Timeline

8 weeks total, delivered in three phases over 6 weeks to match construction schedule

Result

The brewery opened to strong reviews citing the interior design as a standout feature. The bar top alone weighs approximately 280 pounds and has become a signature element of the taproom. The project led to three additional restaurant referrals.

Residential Whole-House Renovation — Chesapeake, VA

4,200 board feet across multiple species and profiles

Challenge

A homeowner undertaking a complete renovation of a 1960s ranch house wanted reclaimed wood throughout — flooring in the main living areas, shiplap in the master bedroom, V-joint paneling on the kitchen ceiling, beadboard in the bathrooms, and live-edge shelving in the study. The challenge was coordinating five different milling profiles across three species while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic and meeting a tight 12-week construction schedule.

Solution

We developed a comprehensive milling plan: 2,100 board feet of reclaimed white oak for T&G flooring (3/4-inch × 5-inch), 800 board feet of mixed reclaimed pine for nickel-gap shiplap (3/4-inch × 6-inch), 500 board feet of heart pine for V-joint ceiling panels (1/2-inch × 4-inch), 400 board feet of cypress for beadboard (1/2-inch × 3-1/4-inch double-bead), and 400 board feet of walnut for live-edge floating shelves (2-inch thick × 10 to 12-inch wide). All stock was kiln-dried to 7% MC. Milling was sequenced to deliver each product as the contractor was ready to install it.

Timeline

14 weeks from initial order to final delivery (staggered over 8 delivery dates)

Result

The renovation was featured in a regional home design magazine. The homeowner reported that the variety of reclaimed wood species and profiles created distinct character in each room while the consistent quality and finish tied the whole house together. Total project milling cost was approximately $12,600 including kiln drying.

Material Requirements

Whether you are using our reclaimed inventory or bringing your own material, the wood needs to meet certain baseline conditions for successful milling. Here is what we look for.

Moisture Content

For optimal milling results, lumber should be at or below 15% moisture content. Wood above 15% MC is prone to fuzzy surfaces when planed, inaccurate dimensions due to post-milling shrinkage, and mold growth during storage after milling. If your stock is above 15%, we recommend kiln drying before milling. Our kiln can bring most species from 20–25% down to 6–8% MC in 4 to 8 weeks. We test incoming material with a pinless moisture meter and will advise if drying is needed before proceeding with milling.

Metal Content

All reclaimed lumber must be free of embedded metal before milling. A single nail or bolt can destroy a $200+ band saw blade or $400+ moulder knife set in an instant. If you are bringing customer-supplied material, it must be thoroughly de-nailed before delivery. We offer de-nailing service at $1.00 to $2.00 per board foot. All material is scanned with our industrial metal detector before entering any machine — if metal is detected, the board is pulled and the additional de-nailing cost is added to the order.

Minimum Dimensions

Our machines have minimum stock size requirements for safe and accurate processing. For planing: minimum thickness is 3/8 inch (to produce a 3/16-inch finished board), minimum width is 3 inches, minimum length is 16 inches. For moulding (T&G, shiplap, etc.): minimum thickness is 5/8 inch, minimum width is 3 inches, minimum length is 24 inches. For resawing: minimum cross-section is 4 × 4 inches. Boards shorter than the minimum length cannot be safely fed through our machines and will be returned unmilled.

Surface Condition

Heavily weathered, mud-caked, or paint-covered stock requires additional preparation before precision milling. Heavy surface contamination accelerates cutter wear and produces poor surface quality. For the best results, boards should be reasonably clean and free of heavy paint build-up on milling surfaces. Light surface oxidation, staining, and patina are normal and do not affect milling quality — our planer easily removes the thin oxidized layer to reveal clean wood beneath. If your material has heavy exterior paint, we can strip it for an additional charge before milling.

Structural Integrity

Material with active rot, extensive insect damage (powder post beetle, termite galleries), or severe cross-grain checking may not be suitable for milling. Soft, punky wood crumbles rather than cutting cleanly, producing a poor surface and unsafe feed conditions. We inspect all incoming material and will advise if any boards are unsuitable. Minor checking, surface worm holes, and stable insect galleries are generally acceptable — these character marks are part of the appeal of reclaimed wood and survive milling without issue.

Warp & Bow

All wood has some degree of warp — cup, bow, twist, or crook. Our jointer and planer can remove moderate warp, but heavily warped stock loses significant thickness in the flattening process. As a general rule, boards with more than 1/4 inch of cup per 6 inches of width, or more than 1/2 inch of bow per 8 feet of length, will lose enough material during flattening that the finished dimension may be thinner than expected. We recommend discussing target finished dimensions with our team before milling significantly warped stock.

How It Works

01

Discuss Your Needs

Tell us the species, dimensions, surface finish, and quantity you need. We'll confirm material availability.

02

Select Your Stock

Choose from our inventory or bring your own material. We can mill both our reclaimed lumber and customer-supplied wood.

03

We Mill It

Our team processes your order — resawing, planing, profiling, and inspecting every board for quality.

04

Pickup or Delivery

Collect your finished lumber from our yard or have it delivered to your site. We wrap and stack for safe transport.

Ready to Mill?

Send us your cut list and we'll provide a detailed estimate. Most milling orders are completed within 5-10 business days.