Used lumber — reclaimed boards, beams, and timber salvaged from older structures — is one of the best values in building materials. But "used" covers everything from premium reclaimed oak to junk that isn't worth hauling home. Here's how to buy it well.
Why buy used lumber at all
- Cost. Reclaimed and used lumber is usually more cost-efficient than buying new, especially for hardwoods.
- Character. Weathering, patina, and old saw marks give used wood a look new lumber simply doesn't have.
- Sustainability. Reusing good timber keeps it out of the landfill.
- Forgiveness. The rugged look means small imperfections read as character, giving you more margin for error.
What to check before you buy
Species and grade
Know what you're buying. Oak, cypress, cedar, and walnut all behave differently and command different prices. A good supplier can identify each board for you.
Soundness
Look past the surface weathering for the things that actually matter: rot, deep cracks, and active insect damage. Surface character is good; structural problems are not.
Hardware and nails
Reputable suppliers de-nail and clean their stock. Stray metal is a hazard to your tools (and your hands), so ask whether the wood has been processed.
Dimensions and cut
Used lumber comes in whatever size it was originally. The question is whether your supplier can cut it to the size you need. This is where an on-site mill matters.
The cut-to-spec advantage
The best reason to buy used lumber from a yard with its own mill: you don't have to settle for the dimensions you find. We can mill reclaimed stock to live-edge, planks, slabs, tongue-and-groove, rough-cut, or sawn smooth, with finishes from flat to glazed — so the board you take home is the board your project needs.
Where to buy used lumber in Little Rock
At Rising Fast Enterprises we keep a million board feet of reclaimed and used lumber on site, sorted by species, with our own mill to cut it to spec. Whether you're framing, building furniture, or finishing an accent wall, we can help you find the right boards.
Come see the yard at 17012 Arch Street, browse our reclaimed lumber, or reach out and tell us what you're building.