Good Questions: Los Angeles Reclaimed Lumber Options? Los Angeles

I am trying to locate a source for reclaimed lumber in the LA area. So far, my attempts have turned up nil. I would like to use reclaimed wood for a sofa table/office combo that my husband and I are building for our new place. I love the character that old wood has, and think it would be perfect for this application. My question to you is: Where do I find this elusive wood? Is it an inexpensive option, or would I be better off buying "new" wood from the local lumber yard? -JulieLeanne

Got a good question you'd like answered? Send your queries and a photo or two illustrating your question, and we'll see if the ATLA team or our readers can help you out.

JulieLeanne, there are a couple of sources you can check out online and in person for reclaimed lumber in Los Angeles. First, there's Resource Conservation Group, a company that offers a great selection and detail of their stock of old lumber, including Douglas Fir, White & Red Oak, Beech, Hickory, Poplar, and Elm. They're the company that supplied eco-retailer Visonary Boutique on Melrose with their beautiful reclaimed Doug Fir display tables/shelving shown above.

There's also Santa Fe Salvage, which carries period lighting fixtures, doors, appliances, mantels, columns, pillars, posts, fencing and reclaimed wood features in their 50,000 sq. ft yard and warehouse.

And for those of you who happen to be out in Austin, be sure to check Adrienne's post about Vintage Material Supply Company's reclaimed wood materials.

Comments (13)

i don't remember where they are based out of but terramai.com has some really gorgeous reclaimed tropical hardwoods for a variety of applications.

I haven't used them so I don't know if they would be helpful, but The Vintage Wood Floor Company in Costa Mesa is a local source for reclaimed wood products: http://www.vintagewoodfloors.com

I was going to ask a related question -- are there any places in LA that sell furniture made from reclaimed wood? I am in love with the Fulton bookshelves and desk from Crate & Barrel (http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Family.aspx?c=1090&f=31249) and the railroad tie dining table from Viva Terra (http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.484184.3670258.2724571.page&mybuyscid=3557857408) and would love to find a local source for similar items!

IN HD Buttercup on Venice Blvd, there is a retailer there that has a ton of beautiful (and expensive) furniture with reclaimed wood. Their name slips my mind though!

Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store might be an option.

No guarantees that you'll find exactly what you want right away... but try craig's list. I live in Seattle, and I am always finding great bits of wood in the materials section- or better yet, the free section. This is a great way to find old flooring that people have ripped up, old beams, parts of barns and sheds, etc. etc.

My experience with shopping for reclaimed wood furniture is that it is often more expensive than "new" wood. There is a really cool store in the Downtown Arts District called Cleveland Art (www.clevelandart.com) that sells furniture made from reclaimed wood and reclaimed furniture.

Patrick McDaniel @ Elmwood Reclaimed Lumber is AWESOME to work with! elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com

If you want reclaimed redwood, that fine grain classic California wood, you can check out www.oldgrowthtimbers.com Big selection, big timbers
sometimes have fir and cedar, too

try House of Hardwood, in West LA (on Pontius and Pico.) they have pretty much everything and even if there is no reclaimed wood in stock, the staff can probably tell you where to find some great stuff.

Timeline Prefinished Wood is also in the Downtown Arts District. Lots of different painted barn wood boards and grey driftwood panels to choose from. www.timelinewood.com

Doug at Resource Conservation Group is amazing, we have been getting lumber from him for years. If you are looking for a reclaimed wood bed, table, bench, desk, bookcase, coffee table, console table or more - check us out at www.crofthouse.com . We specialize in sleek modern furniture from reclaimed, eco-friendly, and sustainable furniture. Most of our products actually originate from giant beams we get from Doug at Resource Consevation Group

Really? I guess I've just had bad luck, then. I've gone to their yard a couple of times but no one is there or they couldn't get to the wood because they didn't have a forklift, finally last time, one of the guys was nice enough to tell me about another place down the street. The Reclaimer. Someone's there everyday, they had massive amounts of wood, reclaimed lumber and tree slabs. I couldn't believe it! They were super helpful. 818.890.0306 www.thereclaimer.net By the way, I love your shop! Peace.