Reclaimed wood can elevate any build—residential or commercial. But some people struggle to source high-quality materials. Today we’ll cover where to buy reclaimed wood, nine characteristics of a good supplier, and design inspiration for your next project.

Why Builders Choose Reclaimed Wood?

Your clients come to you with a vision, but they rely on you to execute it. Reclaimed wood can be the perfect partner to create a stunning home or commercial space unlike any other. Here’s why builders like you continue to choose reclaimed wood.

1). CHARACTER. Vintage wood has a rustic beauty with unique characteristics, making each plank one of a kind.

2). HISTORY. Some of our wood is hundreds of years old, giving your space a story and connection to history.

3). SUSTAINABILITY. Reclaiming lumber keeps it out of landfills and avoids cutting down new trees.

4). STRENGTH. Old-growth wood is denser and more durable than new-growth wood.

What to Look for in a Reclaimed Wood Supplier

A quality reclaimed wood supplier is an expert in salvaging, identifying, cleaning, drying, finishing, and working with lumber. If you’re searching for where to buy reclaimed wood, look for the following nine qualities in your supplier.

1). Sourcing Transparency

Vintage wood comes from a variety of places, including old barns, warehouses, and other structures. Your supplier should be upfront about where your wood comes from and honor its history.

At Vintage Wood & Forged Iron, we know the origin of every piece of wood and are proud to share its past. We recently took down an old building in Delaware that was owned by one of the earliest settlers in the state. Stories like this keep us going and bring a unique element to your build.

Reclaimed wood samples of live edge wood slabs

2). Diverse Inventory

The best places to buy reclaimed wood carry a variety of species and products, including flooring, beams, and live edge slabs. For many dealers, their inventory changes frequently depending on what was recently salvaged. Choose a place that carries popular species like pine, oak, American chestnut, hemlock, or the specific type your client is searching for.

You can stop by our location in Lancaster County to see what we have on-site. We’re happy to work with you whether you need just one piece of wood or an ongoing supply. Like most dealers, our inventory changes so contact us to see what’s currently available. You won’t be disappointed!

A reclaimed wood supplier hand-carving into a piece of wood

3). Precision and Craftsmanship

When on the hunt for where to buy reclaimed wood, pick a supplier that values artistry. Vintage wood is beautiful and should be handled with care and precision. Our craftsmen at VWFI treat every plank as a work of art. Our flooring is carefully crafted, and box beams are assembled by hand, which helps preserve the wood’s character and rich history.

Old piece of reclaimed wood covered in newspaper from the 1800s

4). Quality Control

Reclaimed wood straight from a barn isn’t suitable for a home or commercial building. Oftentimes, it’s filled with nails, cobwebs, dirt, paint, bird droppings, nests, and even old newspaper. Before installation, it must be denailed, cleaned, and inspected. A reputable supplier will prioritize quality control so you only deliver the best materials to your client.

Our team at VWFI takes special care with each and every plank. Our craftsmen can spend hours on just one piece of wood, ensuring every nail is removed. Then we use our wire brush machine to clear dirt and paint while maintaining its character and beautiful patina. Lastly, we dry and treat the wood so it lasts for years to come, while still being toxin-free!

Reclaimed wood samples covered in white paint

5). Kiln-Drying

Additional kiln drying removes moisture and bugs from the wood, so there are no issues with the material down the road. A quality reclaimed wood supplier will have a kiln to get your pieces ready for machining and finishing. At VWFI, we have a high-efficiency vacuum kiln on location for just this purpose.

Reclaimed lumber dealer sharpening rools to mill wood

6). End-to-End Service

It’s not all about finding the perfect piece. The best places to buy reclaimed wood provide end-to-end service by taking the raw wood and transforming it into a ready-to-install product. This way, you only need one point of contact to bring your client’s idea to life.

Our team of craftsmen offer custom milling to cut your selections to the exact size you need. But that’s not all. For beams, we can also singe the ends to add a worn and weathered look. From there, we offer finishing for all our wood to complete the piece.

Reclaimed wood sample of a box beam sitting outside on a tarp

7). Reclaimed Wood Samples

If you’re not sure where to buy reclaimed wood, find a dealer that offers samples so you can pick the best species for your project. You can get a small piece to decide which grain and finish complements your client’s space the best. We always have a back stock of our most popular samples ready to go.

Spiral staircase made of reclaimed wood and iron railings

8). Complementary Services

Reclaimed wood is a niche product. But that’s not all we do. We also offer salvaged hardware and hand-forged iron accents to add that finishing touch. Planning to build a rustic kitchen? Add iron handles to your drawers and cabinets. Upgrading your porch or staircase with vintage wood? Install an iron railing to bring it all together.

Room with a wooden table and reclaimed wood flooring and paneling

9). Experience

Lastly, your supplier should have experience working with builders, homeowners, and other customers. They should have information about past projects and show their skills in finding the perfect wood to complete the job.

We are proud to provide unmatched customer service for any idea, big or small. We’ve worked with builders all over the country to bring history and character to their project.

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Questions to Ask Reclaimed Lumber Dealers

What types of wood do you have available?
Where was this wood reclaimed from?
How do you process your wood so it’s safe for use?
Do you provide custom milling and finishes?
What are your delivery and lead times?
What past projects have you completed?
Do you offer reclaimed wood samples?

These questions give you insight into their processes and help you determine if a reclaimed lumber dealer is a good match.

Where to Buy Reclaimed Wood in Central PA

Since 2012, Vintage Wood & Forged Iron has been supplying Central PA with old-growth wood from structures across the East Coast. However, we won’t salvage from just any structure. We only source the best to ensure the wood meets our high standards.

VWFI began as a hobby, but quickly grew into a thriving business. Over the years, we’ve added key machinery to provide outsourced demolition, wood cleaning, milling, and even hand-forged iron accents to your project. Today, our facility includes a variety of band saws and circular saws, a kiln, an outsourced molder/planer, wire brush machine, mill experts, and blacksmiths.

Woodworking and metal forging is in our blood. Each piece we produce is a work of art that can transform your build into someplace stunning. Our inventory changes frequently, but give us a call or stop by our lot in Lancaster County, PA to see the wood we have in stock. We frequently source white oak, red oak, pine, hemlock, and more.