You might have seen pegs online flexing their repurposed furniture using reclaimed barn wood—screaming of color and character, a timeless trend among DIY-ers.
However, recovering barn wood can be rather tricky, and a quick Google search won’t cut it. Worry not, because our experienced woodworkers are here to give a primer on where you can buy barn wood for your project.
All About Barn Wood: What is It Made From?
If you are drawn to the rustic, authentic, woody-appeal barn wood decor and furniture, you might be looking into getting your own. If so, the first thing to consider is its roots and where it comes from, as the term “reclaimed” can be very broad.
Barn wood can refer to lumber found in a shed. It can be the wood used in an old deck, fence, or crates. As they are sometimes old, unused, and just stuck, wood builders and enthusiasts have recently made upcycling these a trend.
Also Read: Wood and Lumber Related Terms
Things to Consider Before You Opt for Barn Wood
When shopping for reclaimed wood, you have to keep your eye out for the following:
- Rotten Wood
Carefully inspect the planks to check for wood rot and its severity. Bring your screwdriver and poke it to see if it extends deep into the wood or just the surface.
- Insect damage
Inspect if the wood has traces of insect activity such as tunnels, holes, or bugs. Most reclaimed wood dealers kiln-dry their products to prevent infestation. If you are looking to DIY, it is best to go for a low-toxic borate-based insecticide and dry the wood completely.
- Lead paint or toxic chemicals
Old painted wood can sometimes have paint that contains lead or is treated with chemical preservatives that are unsafe for indoor application.
- Nails and screws
You may use a metal detector or magnet to locate nails or screws as some can be deeply embedded in the wood planks.
Projects You Can Craft With Reclaimed Barn Wood
- Headboards
DIY your headboard with repurposed panels that can be stained and sanded to add a distressed, rustic vibe to your bedroom
- Wine Rack
Use reclaimed wood pallets to emulate a perfect vintage-style rack for your liquor
- Coffee Table
Provide your living room with a coffee table made from repurposed pallets to give off a rustic, relaxing feeling.
- Porch Set
Use reclaimed wood panels for the deck and barn wood pallets to create a chic patio table that is durable and pleasing to look at.
- Wood Wall
Gather your creative juices and craft a uniquely bold and expansive reclaimed wood wall that is sustainable and aesthetically appealing.
- Kitchen Island
Use repurposed pallet boards interchanged with slimmer pieces from planks to create a kitchen island for all your pantry needs
- Porch Swing
The wide wood slats from reclaimed wood pallets make an attractive, sturdy swing that is a perfect hangout spot for your backyard.
- Stove Vent Hood
Unstained and unfinished wooden vent hood for your stove complements the rustic, cottage-style vibe you wish to achieve for your kitchen.
- Pallet Wood Bathtub Table
Improve your bath time by accentuating your bathtub table with repurposed pallet and scrap wood.
- Wooden Cupboard
Craft quaint storage for your coffee mugs and cups by using reclaimed barn wood pallets
Where Can I Buy Barn Wood Near Me: 15 Places
#1: Reclaimed Lumber Yards
Your local reclaimed lumber yards are the easiest places to look for and purchase barn wood. You may ask around or do a simple Google search to lead you to the one nearest you.
These yards take in barn wood and sell them for a usually lower price. You may buy bulk repurposed barn wood in this place and possibly make a bargain.
#2: Local Supply Store
Supply stores like Home Depot may sell lumber at full price, but there are seasonal sales to look out for discounts. You can also acquire reclaimed wood by buying sets of used pallets.
Repurpose them by disassembling, sanding, and treating them yourself. You may also inquire at your local grocery store, as wooden pallets are still used to transport the bulk of food and supplies.
Alternatively, you can try to inquire at Lowe’s if there are barn woods available. You can also try to ask if Lowe’s can cut the wood for you if you don’t have the tools.
#3: eBay
Founded in 1995, eBay has been the go-to e-commerce website by Americans for online purchases. It has globally expanded its reach, making it plausible to find whatever you want.
As for wood planks, use the engine to type in reclaimed barn wood and see which ones are nearest to your location.
#4: Etsy
Etsy is an American e-commerce company that recently took the spotlight in the online scene. It is focused on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies. But it is easy to find reclaimed wood decor and furniture on Etsy.
All you need to do is a quick search for “reclaimed wood,” and it will lead you to shops that can cater to your need.
#5: Craigslist
Craigslist is also viable if you want to pick up barn wood locally. Check the “For Sale” section on the website, and optimize your search by adding filters.
From there, you may find a variety of reclaimed lumber, timber, and probably some old wooden furniture you can disassemble to repurpose. You may reach out to the ad poster and arrange how to purchase and pick up the lumber. In addition, you can also search for dealers selling secondhand chainsaws near you on this website to go with your low-cost wood for woodworking.
#6: Facebook Marketplace
Facebook is not just a social media site where you can connect with friends and family. Its Marketplace feature can hook you up with the items or deals you need.
Facebook Marketplace is optimized based on location, and its search engine is quite reliable.
#7: Lumber Dealers Online
With digitization, plenty of lumber manufacturers have shifted their trade online. By simply googling trusted lumber dealers, you will be able to reach a handful who can recover and sell reclaimed barn wood.
You may also get in touch with them to see if they can deliver locally, as some options are different depending on which area you are searching from.
#8: Facebook Garage Sale Groups
Similar to Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Garage Sale Groups also offer a variety of everything from scraps to furniture that can turn out to be great finds.
#9: Online Groups
It might be a good place to start if you are immersed in an online community with the same hobbies, such as woodworking.
You can use your connections to scout where and how you can buy barn wood at an affordable price. You may also take your chances and ask if they have any to spare.
#10: Salvage Yards
When hearing about salvage yards, metal scraps, and automotive parts may come to mind. However, lumber and other parts for repurposing may also be found here.
You may check several salvage yards accessible to your area as it can sometimes be the metaphorical cornucopia you have been hoping for in your woodworking project.
#11: Old Barns
Dilapidated old barns and farmhouses are never short, especially in the countryside. A bulk of these is possibly abandoned or unmaintained.
You may try reaching out to property owners with these aged buildings or seek help from the authorities on how you can use the scraps for upcycling. It might be a mess to sort out, but it is potentially a gold mine for your barn wood project.
#12: Demolition Sites
If you see an ongoing demolition site nearby, may it be residential or commercial, ask around to know where you can get permission to repurpose wood scraps.
Dumpsters are the usual destination to get rid of debris and other unneeded scrap materials for sites like these, so it would be beneficial if you stepped in and said you would refurbish them instead.
#13: Freecycle
Freecycle is a vast online-based swap shop featuring a variety of localized groups where they can sell items they do not want or need anymore while receiving stuff they do want.
What differentiates Freecycle from other online selling or marketplaces is that whatever you decide to give away must be free. You cannot keep taking without giving anything in return.
#14: Habitat for Humanity Restore
Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a bit of everything—from home improvement, goods, and resale, it caters to a wide selection that frequently changes. This is the perfect go-to place whether you are a DIY hobbyist, a homeowner, a renter, a landlord, or an interior designer.
Moreover, proceeds from sales support their advocacy to ensure everyone in the world has a decent place to live.
#15: Sawmill Near You
If you are looking for a facility where logs are cut into lumber using a chainsaw, look no further than the sawmill nearest you. Ask the person in charge if they are selling or handing out barn wood that you can repurpose for an interesting project. You may also negotiate to cut these logs according to your needs.
Barn Wood Alternatives
Furnishing your home with traditional wood materials can be quite expensive in this day and age. Wood production has significantly decreased, which makes lumber appear more lavish.
Due to its scarcity and skyrocketing prices, wood lumber alternatives have emerged in the industry. The usual picks are bamboo, hemp, plastic cork, metal, fiber, cement, concrete, foam board, rubber, and wood composites such as plywood and MDF.
Safety Precautions
To be bluntly honest, not all barn wood is safe. This is we highly recommend closely looking into where it came from and beware of rot, insects, toxic paints [1], and chemicals before getting them indoors.
FAQ
Is reclaimed barn wood expensive?
Yes, reclaimed wood is expensive and can be pricier than purchasing a brand new one from a hardware store.
How much is barn wood worth?
Barn wood is worth 4 to 6 USD per square foot on average.
What is so special about barn wood?
Barn wood is special due to the process and character that are unique compared to virgin lumber.
Conclusion
Reclaimed barn wood has a certain allure incomparable to other mass-produced lumber. Its rustic vibe that screams character to whatever furniture makes it irresistible. Although it can be hard to find, we hope this guide compiled by our woodworking team gave you options on where you can buy barn wood for your next project.
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