Project Overview
About This Project
A homeowner in the Garden District undertook a whole-house renovation with a commitment to using only reclaimed wood for all visible surfaces. We supplied reclaimed white oak for flooring throughout the first floor, reclaimed longleaf pine for a feature accent wall in the living room, and a massive reclaimed cypress mantel beam for the fireplace.
The flooring totaled 1,800 board feet, custom milled to 3/4-inch thickness with a matte polyurethane finish applied on site. The accent wall used 600 board feet of mixed-width planks with a light sanding to reveal the natural grain variations.
The mantel was a single timber, 6x8 inches by 6 feet, with original mortise pockets preserved as a design feature.
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 White Oak and Longleaf Pine and Cypress in the quantities and dimensions required for this 3,400 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
New Orleans, LA
Square Footage
3,400 sq ft
Est. Board Feet Supplied
5,100 BF
Completion Date
November 2024
Wood Species Used
Material Source
100% Reclaimed
Sustainability Certified
Full chain-of-custody documentation
Environmental Impact
20
Trees Preserved
7,650
lbs CO₂ Offset
12,750
lbs From Landfill
27,540
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 White Oak
Species 1 of 3
Origin
Sourced from deconstructed barns, mill buildings, and timber-frame structures across New England and the Mid-Atlantic
Characteristics
Closed-grain structure makes it naturally water-resistant. Dense and heavy with a Janka hardness of 1,360 lbf. Distinctive ray fleck pattern when quartersawn. Ages to a rich golden-brown.
Applications
Flooring, structural beams, furniture, barrel-aging surfaces, countertops, and exterior applications where water resistance matters.
Reclaimed Longleaf Pine
Species 2 of 3
Origin
Salvaged from century-old churches, government buildings, and industrial facilities in the Southeast
Characteristics
The densest of all southern pines with growth rings packed at 20-30 per inch. Extremely high resin content gives it natural pest and rot resistance. Deep amber color with dramatic grain.
Applications
Structural joists and rafters, flooring, dimensional lumber replacements in historic restorations, and heavy-duty millwork.
Reclaimed Cypress
Species 3 of 3
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.
Sustainability
Environmental Impact of This Project
By choosing reclaimed lumber for this 3,400 sq ft project, the following environmental benefits were achieved compared to using newly harvested timber.
20
Trees Preserved
Mature trees that did not need to be harvested thanks to reclaimed material use
7,650 lbs
CO₂ Emissions Offset
Carbon dioxide that remains sequestered in reclaimed wood instead of being released
12,750 lbs
Landfill Waste Diverted
Weight of wood diverted from landfills where it would generate methane as it decomposes
27,540 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
“Working with Boston Lumber was the best decision we made during our renovation. The quality of the reclaimed wood is extraordinary -- you can feel the history in every plank. Our home has a warmth and character that simply would not exist with new materials. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do.”
Sarah & David Chen
Homeowners — New Orleans, 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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Boston Lumber · 37 Linden St, Medford, MA 02155