Project Overview
About This Project
A craft brewery in Baton Rouge commissioned a custom taproom build using reclaimed materials for the bar top, wall cladding, tabletops, and decorative shelving. We provided 2,400 board feet of reclaimed cypress for the 28-foot L-shaped bar top and wall cladding, plus reclaimed oak for 12 tabletops.
The cypress was surfaced on two sides and finished with a food-safe epoxy resin for the bar surface. The wall cladding was left rough-sawn for a more rustic texture contrast.
The oak tabletops were cut from a single batch of salvaged flooring joists to ensure consistent color and grain across all tables.
Project Gallery
Overall view of the finished space
Detail of reclaimed wood grain and texture
Installation in progress
Close-up of material character marks
Behind the Build
Challenges & Solutions
1Species Matching & Consistency
Sourcing Cypress and Oak in the quantities and dimensions required for this 4,200 sq ft project demanded meticulous batch selection. Our grading team hand-inspected every piece to ensure consistent color, grain density, and structural integrity across the full delivery.
2Meeting Modern Building Codes
All structural reclaimed lumber was graded in accordance with applicable building code requirements. Each piece was inspected for load-bearing capacity, moisture content, and dimensional accuracy. We provided full documentation and grading certificates for the project architect and local building inspector.
3Coordinating with Construction Timeline
Material was staged and delivered in phases aligned with the construction schedule. Our logistics team coordinated directly with the general contractor to ensure reclaimed lumber arrived exactly when needed -- not too early (cluttering the site) and not too late (delaying progress).
Project Specs
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Square Footage
4,200 sq ft
Est. Board Feet Supplied
6,300 BF
Completion Date
August 2024
Wood Species Used
Material Source
100% Reclaimed
Sustainability Certified
Full chain-of-custody documentation
Environmental Impact
25
Trees Preserved
9,450
lbs CO₂ Offset
15,750
lbs From Landfill
34,020
Gal Water Saved
Materials
Reclaimed Materials Used
Every species was carefully selected, inspected, and processed at our facility before delivery. Here is a detailed breakdown of the materials that went into this project.
Reclaimed Cypress
Species 1 of 2
Origin
Reclaimed from historic structures, docks, and water infrastructure throughout the Gulf Coast region
Characteristics
Naturally rot-resistant due to high cypressene oil content. Lightweight yet durable, with distinctive grain patterns and a warm honey-gold color that deepens with age.
Applications
Exterior and interior cladding, bar tops, ceiling planks, wainscoting, and furniture -- especially in high-moisture environments.
Reclaimed Oak
Species 2 of 2
Origin
Reclaimed from flooring joists, barn frames, and industrial structures across the Northeast and Midwest
Characteristics
Exceptional hardness and durability with a Janka rating exceeding 1,200 lbf. Prominent grain pattern and natural tannin content that reacts beautifully with iron-based stains.
Applications
Tabletops, stair treads, flooring, furniture, and any high-wear surface where impact resistance is critical.
Sustainability
Environmental Impact of This Project
By choosing reclaimed lumber for this 4,200 sq ft project, the following environmental benefits were achieved compared to using newly harvested timber.
25
Trees Preserved
Mature trees that did not need to be harvested thanks to reclaimed material use
9,450 lbs
CO₂ Emissions Offset
Carbon dioxide that remains sequestered in reclaimed wood instead of being released
15,750 lbs
Landfill Waste Diverted
Weight of wood diverted from landfills where it would generate methane as it decomposes
34,020 gal
Water Saved
Gallons of water not consumed by bypassing the logging, milling, and kiln-drying process
Estimates based on industry-standard calculations: 250 BF per tree, 1.5 lbs CO₂ per BF, 2.5 lbs landfill weight per BF, 5.4 gal water per BF of new lumber production avoided.
Client Feedback
“The bar top and wall cladding from Boston Lumber gave our taproom an instant sense of place and history. Customers love the feel of the space. The cypress bar top has held up beautifully to daily commercial use, and the rough-sawn wall cladding creates exactly the contrast we were after.”
Alejandro Ruiz
Brewery Co-Founder — Baton Rouge, LA
Our Process
How We Delivered This Project
Every project follows our proven four-step process, ensuring quality, consistency, and on-time delivery from first conversation to final board.
Consultation & Specification
We met with the project team to understand the design vision, review architectural drawings, and define species, dimensions, finishes, and quantity requirements. A detailed material specification was produced and approved before sourcing began.
Sourcing & Selection
Our sourcing team identified reclaimed inventory matching the project specs. Each candidate batch was inspected for species accuracy, structural soundness, moisture content, and visual consistency. Only material meeting all criteria was approved for processing.
Processing & Quality Control
Approved material was de-nailed, cleaned, and milled to specification at our facility. Every board was graded, moisture-tested, and visually inspected. Pieces that did not meet quality standards were rejected and replaced from reserve inventory.
Phased Delivery & Support
Material was delivered in phases aligned with the construction schedule. Our team coordinated directly with the general contractor and remained available throughout installation to address questions, provide additional material, and ensure a successful outcome.
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Prefer email? Reach us directly at info@boston-lumber.com
Boston Lumber · 37 Linden St, Medford, MA 02155