At The
Lumber Baron, we take pride in our assortment of reclaimed lumber, including
hand-picked redwood, cedar, and Douglas fir. For beams and ceilings, our
selection is perfect, providing you with a green building project with natural
beauty and historic appeal as part of the bargain. If you prefer managed
lumber, we also offer a variety of green and kiln-fired lumber to choose from.
Custom Cuts and Milling
Unlike those big box
stores, The Lumber Baron has a sawmill on
location. This means that we can make custom cuts, provide you with longer
lengths, and surface your lumber to your individual needs. Whether you want
rough cut lumber for exterior work, the perfect redwood beam for your interior
ceiling, or a rustic ceiling made entirely from reclaimed lumber, we can provide
you with the lumber options and resurfacing for a perfect outcome.
Lumber Grade and Ceiling Material
When it comes to a
hardwood ceiling, keeping the number of knots to a minimum is crucial. The
Lumber Baron carries reclaimed lumber in 6 different grades, from many knots and edge sapwood to clear
lumber with few to no blemishes. Come in and talk to us about your plans, and
we will help you select the ideal reclaimed lumber for the job.
Where Reclaimed Lumber Comes From
The Lumber Baron’s
selection of reclaimed lumber was originally cut from virgin old-growth forests
on the western side of the country. We
hand-pick the best cuts of lumber from decommissioned buildings,
bridges, and other historic locations. In many cases, the original mill marks
can be found on whole timbers, and there are occasional bolt holes or unique
coloration caused by the the original application, such as bridges or wine
vats. We can mill the lumber onsite to meet your specifications or modern
lumber measurements.
Since 1981, The
Lumber Baron has provided exceptional lumber to customers in the Bay Area. We
have built our reputation on quality lumber and unique material that is not
available in chain lumber stores. To find out more about using reclaimed lumber in your interior ceiling, please stop by and visit us today.
One of the reasons that
reclaimed lumber is so appealing is that it has unique physical properties and
a rich historic value. One example of this is the reclaimed redwood material
Lumber Baron was able to procure during the demolition of the Old San Francisco Bay Bridge. Not only does it have a quality which is only available in old
growth lumber from the early to mid-1900’s, this redwood is a unique part of
American history.
Construction of a
National Landmark
Even before the 20th
century, a bridge from San Francisco to Oakland was conceived as a way to
connect the city with rail lines on the other side of the Bay. As the newly
invented automobile became more popular, the necessity of easy transport made
the bridge even more important. In 1929, the California Toll Bridge Authority
was formed, and construction of the long-awaited bridge was soon to follow. The
bridge was completed in November of 1936 and almost immediately became an
architectural landmark.
The Old Bridge Comes
Down
In 1989, the Loma
Prieta earthquake caused extensive damage to the bridge, including the collapse
of an upper section. This resulted in the construction of a new San Francisco
Bay Bridge, and the damaged span began to be demolished in November of 2013.
Most of the metal used in the bridge was sold as scrap metal, resulting in much
of it being shipped overseas to China.
Reclaiming Historic
Lumber
The lumber from the
base of the bridge piers and pylons became available, and The Lumber Baron was
able to reclaim significant amounts of the old growth redwood used on two of
the piers. This lumber was an important form of protection for the bridge,
including reducing the damages caused by the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill, when
an oil tanker collided with one of the bridge’s towers.
Lumber From a Bygone
Era
As a result of its
old growth heritage, this lumber is knot free, and comprised of dense heartwood
material. It is easily identified by the compact grain structure, unique
coloration, and the strength afforded by the remarkable density of the lumber.
The Lumber Baron has made this historic lumber available in several sizes,
including 12” by 12”, 6” by 12”, and 1” by 12” cuts.
Repurposing American
Heritage
Additionally, since
The Lumber Baron is a full service lumber mill, the lumber can be milled into 2
inch slabs or custom sizes or resurfaced to meet customer specifications,
making it excellent for quality countertops, furniture, and many other
applications.
Whether you are
interested in green building, custom beams, or unique furniture construction,
The Lumber Baron’s reclaimed lumber from the San Francisco Bay Bridge Eastern
span is worth looking into. Not only does this lumber have a special historical
value and unique coloration which cannot be duplicated, it also represents a
quality of lumber that is no longer available from today’s managed redwood
forests.
