Not sure where to start? Our team of reclaimed wood experts helps architects, contractors, designers, and homeowners make informed material decisions.
Tell us about your project and we'll get back to you within one business day.
Which species is right for your application? What grade do you need for structural vs. decorative use? We help you choose materials that match your project's performance and aesthetic requirements.
How much lumber do you actually need? We help you calculate board footage, account for waste, and plan for material availability — so you order the right amount the first time.
Can reclaimed wood work for your application? We assess structural requirements, building code compliance, moisture considerations, and other factors to determine if reclaimed is the right choice.
Reclaimed lumber pricing varies by species, grade, dimension, and availability. We help you understand the cost landscape and identify opportunities to maximize value.
Need large volumes or rare species? We develop sourcing plans that combine inventory on hand, incoming salvage, and our network of suppliers to fulfill your requirements.
Working on a LEED or green building project? We provide documentation of reclaimed material origin, chain of custody, and environmental impact data to support your certification goals.
We help specify reclaimed materials for commercial and residential projects, provide samples, and assist with material submissions.
We work with GCs to source, schedule, and deliver reclaimed lumber on time and within budget for builds of any scale.
Planning a renovation or custom build? We guide you through species selection, finish options, and realistic budgets.
We source specialty species, rare finds, and unique pieces for woodworkers and furniture studios.
Whether you're an architect specifying reclaimed timber for a commercial project or a homeowner planning a kitchen renovation, our consultation process is designed to give you the information and confidence you need to move forward.
You reach out by phone, email, or our website form with a general description of your project. We ask about the type of work (new construction, renovation, furniture, art installation), the approximate scale, your timeline, and your budget range. This initial conversation is always free and typically takes 15–20 minutes. Our goal is to understand your vision and determine whether reclaimed materials are a viable path for your project.
Based on your project description, we research material options from our current inventory and incoming salvage pipeline. We consider species suitability for your application (structural capacity, hardness, moisture resistance, appearance), availability in the dimensions and quantities you need, and realistic pricing for your budget. If your project requires material we don't currently stock, we check our supplier network and upcoming salvage schedules to identify sourcing opportunities.
For projects within our service area, we offer an on-site visit to see the space, take measurements, assess conditions (moisture levels, subfloor type, structural capacity), and discuss material options in context. For remote projects, we conduct a virtual review using your photos, floor plans, and architectural drawings. Site visits are free within 50 miles of our Virginia Beach yard; beyond that, a $150 travel fee applies (credited toward any material purchase).
We deliver a written material recommendation that includes: recommended species and grade for each application, dimensions and profiles (T&G, shiplap, S4S, etc.), estimated board footage with 10% waste factor included, unit pricing and total material cost, processing timeline (if custom milling is needed), and delivery logistics. For architects, we include technical specifications suitable for inclusion in project documents. Quotes are valid for 30 days.
Before you commit to a large order, we provide physical samples of the recommended materials — typically 12"–18" sections that show the actual color, grain, texture, and character of the wood. For flooring and wall cladding, we can provide 2–3 sample boards for on-site mockup. Samples are free for projects over $2,500; a refundable $50 deposit applies to smaller projects. This step prevents surprises and ensures the material matches your design intent before production begins.
Once you approve the material and quote, we confirm your order with a 50% deposit and lock in your pricing and delivery timeline. Throughout the production and delivery process, you have a single point of contact — your project consultant — who coordinates milling, quality checks, and logistics. We remain available for questions and adjustments through project completion, and we keep records of your material specifications in case you need additional stock for repairs or future phases.
Our consultants bring decades of combined experience in wood science, building construction, historic preservation, and sustainable material sourcing. Here are the specific topics where our expertise runs deepest.
Visual and microscopic identification of over 40 North American hardwood and softwood species common in reclaimed lumber. We identify species that are frequently mislabeled or confused: heart pine vs. Southern yellow pine, red oak vs. white oak, American chestnut vs. wormy chestnut vs. butternut, and genuine old-growth Douglas fir vs. modern plantation fir.
Evaluation of reclaimed timber for structural applications including load-bearing beams, columns, rafters, and floor joists. We assess wood strength using visual grading methods, resistance drilling, and stress wave testing. We work with structural engineers to develop allowable stress values for reclaimed timbers that may not conform to modern grading standards.
Guidance on moisture content targets for specific applications and climate zones. We advise on acclimation procedures, vapor barrier requirements, expansion gap sizing, and seasonal movement expectations for reclaimed flooring and cladding. Reclaimed wood often behaves differently than new lumber due to density, age, and previous service conditions.
Recommendations for penetrating oils, surface finishes, stains, and sealers that complement reclaimed wood's character without masking it. We test finish compatibility on your specific material and advise on maintenance schedules. Our recommendations favor low-VOC, environmentally responsible products consistent with the sustainability ethos of using reclaimed materials.
Navigating building code requirements for reclaimed lumber in structural and non-structural applications. We help contractors and architects address code official concerns about using salvaged material, prepare supporting documentation, and identify code provisions (such as IRC Section R602.1 and IBC Section 2303.1.1) that allow the use of graded reclaimed lumber in permitted construction.
Expert guidance on incorporating reclaimed wood into LEED v4.1 certified projects. We prepare documentation for MR Credit (Materials and Resources), calculate embodied carbon savings, and provide chain-of-custody records. We have supported over 30 LEED-certified projects with material documentation that contributed to MR, Innovation, and Regional Priority credits.
For historic preservation and period-accurate restoration projects, we advise on species selection, profile matching, fastener compatibility, and finishing techniques that are authentic to the building's era. We work with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and have experience with Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Strategies for maximizing the visual impact of reclaimed wood while controlling costs. We advise on mixing species for effect, using lower grades in less visible areas, blending reclaimed accent pieces with compatible new lumber, and timing purchases to take advantage of seasonal pricing. A well-planned material strategy can reduce costs 15–30% compared to a single-species, single-grade specification.
These case studies demonstrate the tangible value of expert consultation — from preventing costly mistakes to unlocking design possibilities that clients didn't know existed.
A restaurateur wanted to clad all walls and the ceiling of a 2,800 sq ft dining room in reclaimed barn wood. Their initial plan called for 4,200 BF of premium heart pine at $9.50/BF — a $39,900 material budget that was $15,000 over their target.
Our consultant recommended a three-zone approach: heart pine for the 400 sq ft bar area and feature wall ($3,800), mixed-species rustic-grade boards for the main dining walls ($8,600), and skip-planed poplar for the ceiling ($5,200). The heart pine creates a "wow" focal point, the mixed species adds authentic texture at a lower price point, and the lighter poplar brightens the ceiling without competing with the walls.
Total material cost: $17,600 — 56% under the original estimate while creating a more visually dynamic space. The restaurant has since been featured in Virginia Living magazine's "Best Restaurant Design" roundup.
A custom home builder specified reclaimed white oak flooring for an entire 4,500 sq ft beach house. The architect did not account for the high-humidity coastal environment, seasonal vacancy (AC off for months), or the sandy, gritty foot traffic patterns typical of beach homes.
Our consultant recommended switching to reclaimed heart pine for the main living areas (harder Janka rating, more forgiving character, lower cost), reclaimed cypress for the outdoor shower and screened porch areas (natural rot resistance), and confining the white oak to the formal dining room and master suite where conditions are more controlled. We also specified a penetrating oil finish instead of polyurethane — more forgiving of moisture fluctuation and repairable without full floor refinishing.
The builder saved $8,400 on materials and avoided a potential flooring failure in the high-humidity zones. Three years later, the floors are performing well with no cupping, no gapping, and easy seasonal maintenance.
An architecture firm designing a tech company's new office wanted exposed reclaimed timber beams in the open-plan workspace. They specified 8x12 white oak beams at 8-foot centers spanning 24 feet — but the beams were decorative, not structural (the building uses steel framing), and the specification was wildly over-engineered and over-budget.
Our consultant proposed hollow beam wraps instead: 1.5"-thick reclaimed white oak boards milled into three-sided U-channels that slip over lightweight steel box beams already in the ceiling structure. The visual effect is identical to solid timbers, but each "beam" uses about 80% less material. We sourced the white oak from a single barn demolition for consistent color and character, and profiled the wraps in our shop for easy installation by the GC's finish carpenters.
Material cost dropped from $34,000 (solid beams) to $9,800 (beam wraps). Installation time was cut by 60% because the wraps are light enough for two workers to handle without a crane. The architect has since specified the same approach for three additional projects.
A nonprofit converting a 1912 schoolhouse into a community center needed to replace deteriorated heart pine flooring in two classrooms (1,800 sq ft total). The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) required that replacement material match the original species, grain pattern, and profile — standard new heart pine from plantation-grown sources would not pass review.
Our consultant sourced 2,200 BF of reclaimed heart pine flooring from a Norfolk warehouse of the same era. We matched the grain density (10–14 growth rings per inch, consistent with old-growth Longleaf pine), replicated the original 3.25" face width and 3/4" thickness, and produced a tongue-and-groove profile matching the building's original milling pattern. We prepared a material provenance report for the SHPO documenting species identification, approximate age, and consistency with the building's original construction materials.
The SHPO approved the replacement material on first submission. The nonprofit successfully completed the renovation and qualified for $127,000 in state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits — which required that all materials meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards. Our material documentation was cited as a supporting factor in the credit approval.
Accurate assessment requires professional-grade tools. Our consultants carry field kits that allow on-site species identification, moisture testing, structural evaluation, and environmental screening — giving you definitive answers, not guesswork.
Delmhorst J-2000 with species correction
Measures internal moisture content at any depth up to 1.5" using insulated electrode pins. Species-specific calibration ensures accuracy within ±0.5% for over 40 species. Essential for determining whether material is ready for interior installation or requires additional drying.
Wagner Orion 950
Non-destructive electromagnetic scanning for rapid moisture mapping across large surfaces. Scans to 3/4" depth without leaving pin holes. We use this for flooring assessments, incoming material screening, and monitoring kiln-dried stock after delivery to verify that site conditions haven't rehydrated the material.
Bausch & Lomb Hastings Triplet
For species identification at the cellular level. Ring porosity, ray structure, resin canal presence, and growth ring characteristics are visible at 10x magnification and are often the only reliable way to distinguish between closely related species (red oak vs. white oak, hard maple vs. soft maple, genuine chestnut vs. butternut).
IML-RESI PowerDrill 400
A micro-drilling device that measures wood density variation through the cross-section of a timber. The drill produces a resistance profile graph that reveals internal decay, voids, checks, and density variations invisible from the surface. Essential for evaluating large structural beams where surface condition does not reliably indicate internal soundness.
Bruker S1 TITAN (rented as needed)
Handheld X-ray fluorescence analyzer for detecting chemical treatments (CCA — arsenic, chromium, copper) in suspect material. Provides elemental composition in 30 seconds without destroying the wood. Used when visual inspection cannot confirm whether material has been chemically treated.
3M LeadCheck & D-Lead EPA-recognized kits
EPA-recognized test kits that detect lead in paint on wood surfaces within 30 seconds. We test all painted reclaimed material before accepting it into our inventory. Results are documented and stored with the lot record. Material testing positive for lead above 0.5% is either rejected or stripped under controlled conditions.
Fakopp Microsecond Timer
Measures the speed of sound through wood, which correlates with stiffness (modulus of elasticity). Faster transmission indicates denser, stiffer, stronger material. We use this to non-destructively estimate the structural capacity of reclaimed timbers that cannot be visually graded using modern standards because of their age, species, or dimensions.
Mitutoyo 12" digital caliper, precision steel tape
Accurate measurement of board thickness, width, and length to 1/100" precision. Critical for verifying that processed material meets specified dimensions and for calculating board footage. We measure every piece at multiple points to account for the natural variation inherent in reclaimed lumber.
We understand that architects and interior designers need more than just wood — they need documentation, specifications, and predictable material properties they can design around. Reclaimed lumber introduces variables that don't exist with manufactured products: natural color variation, character inconsistency, limited availability, and non-standard dimensions.
Our design professional resources are built to address these challenges head-on. We provide the tools and documentation you need to confidently specify reclaimed materials in your projects, present material options to clients, and submit shop drawings and material submittals that satisfy general contractors and building officials.
We maintain a sample library of over 200 material samples organized by species, grade, profile, and finish. Samples are 12" x actual width sections that show true color, grain, and character. Available for loan (up to 2 weeks) or purchase. We ship sample packages nationwide for $25 (refundable with order).
For each material in our standard inventory, we provide a CSI-formatted specification sheet including: species (common and botanical names), grade and grading standard, dimensions and tolerances, moisture content range, Janka hardness, available profiles, finish options, and installation guidelines. Suitable for inclusion in Division 06 (Wood, Plastics, and Composites) project specifications.
We provide DWG profile drawings for all standard milling profiles (tongue-and-groove, shiplap, V-groove, S4S) at true scale. Revit families for our most popular beam sizes and cladding profiles are available on request. These files allow you to accurately represent our materials in construction documents and 3D renderings.
We prepare project-specific material submittals that include product data sheets, sample approvals, test reports (moisture content, species verification), chain-of-custody documentation, and sustainability data. Submittals are formatted to meet the requirements of AIA Document A201 and are typically turned around within 5–7 business days.
For completed projects using our materials, we offer complimentary professional photography (within our service area) that can be used in both our portfolio and yours. We also provide material origin stories and provenance details that add narrative depth to your project presentations.
We offer hands-on workshops and educational sessions at our Virginia Beach facility for contractors, designers, woodworkers, and homeowners who want to deepen their knowledge of reclaimed wood.
Covers the practical differences between working with reclaimed and new lumber: how to handle embedded metal, dealing with inconsistent dimensions, installation techniques for reclaimed flooring and cladding, species identification for common Mid-Atlantic reclaimed species, and moisture management during and after installation. Includes hands-on shop time with our processing equipment.
Offered quarterly — next session seats available
An AIA-registered continuing education course covering: grading standards for reclaimed lumber, structural considerations, sustainability documentation for LEED and WELL building standards, specification writing for reclaimed materials, and quality control during procurement. Participants receive 2 AIA Learning Units (Health, Safety, Welfare). Can be hosted at our facility or presented at your firm.
Available by request — minimum 6 attendees
A casual, informational session held at our yard. Tour our inventory, see our processing equipment in action, learn how to identify wood species, understand grading and pricing, and get advice on your specific project. Bring photos and dimensions and our team will help you plan. Light refreshments provided.
First Saturday of each month, March through November
An intensive hands-on course in wood species identification covering 30+ species commonly found in Mid-Atlantic reclaimed lumber. Participants learn visual, tactile, and magnified identification techniques using end grain, face grain, and physical characteristics. Each participant receives a 30-species reference sample set to keep. Taught by our lead grader with 25 years of identification experience.
Offered twice yearly — spring and fall
We believe the first conversation should always be free. Beyond that, our fee structure is straightforward and scales with the complexity of your needs.
No obligation. Available to anyone with a project question.
Fee credited in full toward any material purchase over $2,500.
Fee credited in full toward material purchases over $10,000. Ideal for architects, commercial projects, and historic preservation.
For property owners, estate executors, insurance adjusters, and tax professionals who need documented material valuations.
There's no charge and no obligation. Whether you have a specific project in mind or just want to explore possibilities — we're here to help.
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