We are committed to supplying wood products that bring a unique quality and experience to each project. Our goal is 100% satisfaction – from finding the best woods for each application and budget to following your order until it reaches the worksite, through installation and finishing. Each project and application is unique in its specifications and design vision – so no question is too far outside the box. If there isn’t an answer here, please send us a note or call.

ON RECLAIMED WOOD

Antique lumber represents woods that were harvested from first or old growth forests – and typically found in late 1800’s and early 20th c. structures. These trees grew for hundreds of years in often dense, slow growing forests, and were standing when the first European settlers arrived. The figure of this virgin wood is characterized by tight growth rings (10-30 growth rings per inch), large dimensional sizes, and rich hues. 

Vintage or second growth woods were planted after these old growth woods were felled, and are typically found in post-1920’s buildings. These trees generally grew faster, and were cut down in a shorter period of time. As a result, the wood has a broader grain (8-12 growth rings per inch), and a somewhat paler color. All these woods are salvaged from dismantled factories, warehouses, old houses and other structures. 

There can be substantial quality difference between antique wood products from different sources. Is the wood kiln dried? What are the grading standards? What is the quality of the milling equipment? How much experience does the company have in milling antique woods? Can they provide samples that are representative of the product that will be delivered? There are many questions to ask that will help ensure that you receive the best possible value and quality. Antique woods are the foundation of a home and a statement about your values to future generations – this choice is often only made once in a lifetime.

Antique heart pine does not come from standing trees. Most of the few remaining original-growth trees—trees old enough to produce mostly heartwood—are protected. There are only so many old warehouses remaining and only so many old growth logs at the bottom of the river. Because there are only two sources for original-growth heart pine, there is a tremendous amount of work that goes into salvaging and re-manufacturing this material.

ORDER PROCESS

There is 150 sf minimum on wood flooring and paneling orders. There is no minimum on orders of select dimensional lumber at the Brooklyn warehouse, where wood is available for DIY shelving, table tops, raised garden planters and a broad range of small projects.

Samples put actual physical product in your hand. But in the case of reclaimed woods, there are often limits to conveying the full range of character features within a relatively small sample. Photos, discussion, and if possible, a visit to the Brooklyn warehouse and showroom help to further understand the look and nature of reclaimed woods. Through this review process and into installation, we work hard to ensure your project realizes and exceeds expectations.

Our payment options are detailed in this pdf. Check or ACH is preferred. We accept credit cards for orders under 5,000.000. A 50% deposit is required to initiate an order. 100% payment is required on completion of our millwork process and before shipping or pickup. 

Order turnaround is generally 2-6 weeks. All orders are treated the same. We work closely with each client, on each step of the process. Please order as far in advance as possible, to meet construction and renovation timetables. We can always store your order at the Brooklyn warehouse if the project is not quite ready to receive the material. A 50% deposit is required at the time of order, with the balance due prior to shipping the order. 

FLOORING AND PANELING

Square footage is calculated by multiplying the length in feet by the width in feet. Generally 8-12% extra overage for most installations. Square footage is calculated by multiplying the length by the width of each space. Extra is needed for trimming boards to fit the required area. The range is determined by the layout of the space – is there multiple smaller rooms, angled layouts or are you wanting to have ‘attic stock’ for use in the future?

Our payment options are detailed in this pdf. Check or ACH is preferred. We accept credit cards for orders under 5,000.000. A 50% deposit is required to initiate an order. 100% payment is required on completion of our millwork process and before shipping or pickup. 

Engineered flooring is recommended for basement or floating applications, or when the floor needs to be glued down to concrete, or installed over radiant heating systems. Solid woods is often adequate in the same applications above grade, but engineered is more stable. We have produced more engineered floors over time as it helps to increase the available yield from increasingly limited species like heart pine and chestnut.

Solid floors are a 3/4″ thick, and nailed (blind or face) into the subfloor. Engineered floors are also 3/4” thick, with a 3/16″ “wear layer” of wood, and are 1′ to 8′ in length. Our engineered floors use an 11-ply grade of Baltic birch.

Flooring and paneling can be produced in consistent or random plank widths. In the realm of reclaimed wood, random width is generally more common, as it generates less waste and contributes to a more informal and natural look. Random length selections are typically within a close range ie. 6”, 7”, 8”. Generating the same floor with all 7” widths would involve removing all the material that only yields 6” and trimming extra material from the 8” stock – so the waste factor and time involved factor into price. Random widths optimize yield and are more cost efficient – along with better reflecting the natural quality of the material. Random widths also conjure historical floors (which can be often wildly random ie. 4”-6”-9”-12”, etc.) while versatile for a modern (even or especially a post-modern) design environment. We deliver enough of each width to complete an installation, but random width requires a random pattern.

Size, species and millwork options are primary factors in the pricing of the woods. Reclaimed woods are typically higher in price, but we believe that the value of the material – in its beauty, durability and provenance – exceeds this value premium in the long term.

SHIPPING + DELIVERY

Packaging: Orders are shipped to protect the integrity of the product; and wrapped to ensure that no moisture or other damage can impact the product. Trucks are generally 20-40’ in length and may be a semi-flatbed or box truck. We offer curbside delivery. Our trucks do not off-load material, so delivery coordination is needed with staff at the site. Our flooring is typically packaged in bulk to be off-loaded by forklift or hand unloaded in small bundles by two or more individuals. We discuss the specific conditions and planned logistics with each client and/or a staff representative prior to deliver to determine delivery details. Please let us know if you cannot accept a large truck or if there are specific issues that we should know in advance. 

Pick Up Your Wood – Some order can also be picked up locally at the Brooklyn warehouse or Connecticut location.

 

Lead times are often determined by the specific product. Most orders are ready to ship within 4-5 weeks. Selected items may be pre-milled and ready to go, so reach us if your project has a more immediate timeline. In most cases however, we are not able to expedite orders as reclaimed material requires a range of processing steps, with time and labor requirements that can be difficult to anticipate, given the nature of the material. 

We primarily serve the New York City and Tri-state area, as we work to maintain a focus on local salvage and remanufacturing. But we have at times shipped orders nationally and internationally. 

We ship regularly and work to make delivery and it’s costs as efficient as possible. Our Brooklyn warehouse also allows local projects to pick up material at a significant discount. If there are specific shipping details, needs for storage, or multiple shipment dates, please let us know.

We strive for a hassle free delivery.  Your reclaimed wood order will typically ship by dedicated company truck or common carrier, depending on the location. When the order is ready to ship and before delivery, the payment balance is made by the contractor or end buyer. Sawkill Lumber or the freight company will contact the job site or owner a day prior to confirm delivery. 

 

We strive for a hassle free delivery.  Your reclaimed wood order will typically ship by dedicated company truck or common carrier, depending on the location. When the order is ready to ship and before delivery, the payment balance is made by the contractor or end buyer. Sawkill Lumber or the freight company will contact the job site or owner a day prior to confirm delivery.

INSTALLATION

Our products have been sorted, trimmed, and defected for any significant grading issues and large open holes found during the millwork process. The flooring is produced from wood that was previously used in other spaces for one hundred years or more. And care is taken to maintain the unique character of the centuries old wood. Part of the sublime beauty of antique wood are qualities that represent defects and lower grading standards in wood that is otherwise freshly cut and manufactured. As a reclaimed product, they represent the natural qualities of the tree and its connections within an old growth forest, and use in an old building. 

Flooring is typically glued and nailed down using the hidden edge nailing method. Care should be taken as with any floor to have a clean, dry substrate with a moisture barrier of building felt between the flooring and substrate. It is recommended that some face nailing be done at the end joints of flooring material that is 6” or wider.

Wood is an exceptional conductor of heat, so radiant heating is a great heat source for use with our engineered plank flooring, and the heat distribution is far better for the wood than other heating systems. Radiant heating below wood flooring can provide quiet, healthy, and efficient heating for a space. And reclaimed wood can be an ideal choice option for this increasingly popular heating system. We most often recommend that the reclaimed wood is engineered and ordered to plank widths of 8” or less in width, to provide added stability.

Wood has been installed over concrete for a long time now, utilizing plywood and dimensional lumber stringers. Proper preparation and installation, along with kiln dried and high quality wood will limit seasonal fluctuations. The concrete must also be dry and covered with a moisture barrier.

Glue and nail is the recommended method on all flooring over 6″ width. This will help maintain that the planks remain flat throughout the year. 

Acclimation is referred to as the time period needed for woods to equalize with the humidity levels of a new environment. Our woods are kiln dried at the mill, but humidity levels can still differ slightly between regional locations. This makes acclimation an important process before installation, so that wood planks do not develop gaps. 

Allow adequate time for this natural material to properly acclimate within the space of a new environment. The reclaimed flooring should be within 2 – 3 percent of the moisture content of the subfloor. Proper acclimation is critical to the long term stability of the material. 

Typically a week of time, with the material stacked within the space is sufficient. All “wet work” (drywall, mudding, etc.) must be finished, with no added moisture before the wood is acclimated and installed. HVAC systems should be set at living conditions during acclimation of the wood flooring.

 

 

FINISHING

Depending on the product ordered we have several different options for finish. For a more complete overview of finishing, please refer to Finishing Reclaimed Wood.

 

We are happy to pre-finish any of our products to make your installation even easier. We can pre-finish, though it is often not preferred for reclaimed woods. Pre-finishing can be a preferred process, especially for some commercial projects, but the process – involving a micro bevel – and a more manufactured look – is often inconsistent with the natural look of a reclaimed floor. 

We have often applied a Class A fire rating products to wood paneling for commercial projects. The products penetrate into the wood fibers for a class A rating without significantly altering the tone of the woods.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Periodic care based on the use of an individual location helps to keep reclaimed wood looking it’s best into the future. With normal wear, most reclaimed woods continue to develop in character, as the life of an individual home or commercial space is layered into the historic eras of the wood. The experience of your floor joins the timeline of a tree through time.  

Most floors do not require more maintenance than a weekly damp mop with warm water or vacuum cleaning. Wood cleaning products are recommended by the specific finish manufacturer – whether oil or polyurethane. Abrasive pads that can scratch the woods are not recommended. 

Spills should be wiped immediately to prevent watermarks, followed by a cleaning product. Heavy moisture should be avoided to avoid excessive wood movement. 

– It is key to use protector pads on furniture legs to guard wood floors from heavy scratching and denting. If furniture uses casters, ensure they are non-marking rubber casters – not metal or plastic, which may dent. High heels can cause damage similar to unprotected table legs, which may inform the shoe policy at a residence. 

– Small rugs and mats at entry areas will go a long way to protect the wood flooring, reduce sanding and refinishing intervals, and preserve the beauty of an antique wood floor.

– Use throw rugs both inside and outside doorways to help prevent grit, dirt and other debris from being tracked onto your floors.

  • Avoid walking on your wood floors with cleats or high heels as this can dent your floor surface.
  • When using wood flooring in the kitchen, you may wish to place an area rug in front of the sink.
  • Vacuum, sweep or dust mop periodically. 
  • Wipe up spills immediately

Refinishing a wood floor can be determined by the look and feel of the floor, as well as more tangible methods. These include a water test, which examines how well a small spill beads up on the surface. If the water penetrates immediately, refinishing is a good idea – and after a few minutes, refinishing may be recommended in the near future. 

ABOUT SAWKILL LUMBER

Our reclaimed woods are salvaged from range of sources that we’ve narrowed into five broad categories – barns, old apartment houses, industrial buildings, wooden tanks and a wide net of off-beat sources we call ‘curious and uncommon’ – bowling alleys, gym courts, boardwalks, cargo crates, sinker logs and other sources. These varied structures often yield old growth lumber that was felled from virgin forests – woods that exhibit rich tones, dense growth rings, and a rich patina that is witness to its history. We salvage over 150,000 bf on average each year.

There’s a great variety of projects that seek out reclaimed woods in the New York City area, and homeowners. All customers are serviced on the same level playing field. People living with reclaimed woods often come to value the material most highly and become stewards of this unique material into the future. For these projects, the woods are also part of a broader approach to sustainable construction and design. And these projects often require woods in applications, like flooring, stair treads, paneling and lumber, that represent volumes that support more optimum salvage rates and economic viability. 

We have a real passion for this extraordinary object of nature and history, sharing it with clients, and delivering it as a transformed and cherished part of our built environment. Homeowners in the New York area are welcome to visit our Brooklyn warehouse and showroom in person to see the woods. We work by appointment with us, so please call in advance.(917-862-7910) or email. 

Trees are renewable, but not all wood is sustainable. There are often levels of sustainability, and the barometer that can change by location. Wood, like a lot of things in life, is complex. But trees and forests are everyday wonders, growing across the world in remarkable variety. They sequester carbon, provide food and habitat for countless life forms and provide knock-out beauty, among so many other benefits. More is often more when it comes to trees. But essentially, turning trees into lumber requires far less ‘embodied energy’  than producing steel and concrete. Wood in use retains its carbon, as opposed to that carbon being released through decomposition in a landfill. Building with wood is a more effective choice in fighting climate change. But reclaimed wood v. new wood on a sustainability assessment, and accounting for carbon emissions across its life cycle, is covered in another section.

OUR BOOK

Reclaimed Wood:
a Field Guide

The first complete visual survey of this valuable resource, with chapters on history, sources and types of wood, reclamation and practical information, and contemporary uses in residential and commercial projects.
Buy on Amazon

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Our location at 71 Troy Avenue in Brooklyn includes a showroom, and a 3600 sf warehouse and wood shop. We are currently open for meetings by appointment. The space features a broad selection of over 40 antique, vintage and rare reclaimed woods. 

Brooklyn warehouse & showroom

(917) 862 7910
info@sawkill.nyc

Mon.-Fri. 9:00 – 5:30 pm
Sat. 10-4pm

1 Troy Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11213

Please call in advance for appointment!

Getting There:

Train: A, C to Utica Ave. train stop. (approx. 8 min walk)
Car: Atlantic Ave. to Troy Ave. (1.5 mi. from Barclay Center)

We salvage and re-manufacture old wood. Sourced from old buildings in and around New York and beyond.

WEBSITE

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CONTACT

  • (917) 862 7910
  • info@sawkill.nyc
  • 71 Troy Ave.

  • Brooklyn, NY 11213

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