Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions Cost per board foot?

What are some normal industry market prices for beam wood - white pine, oak, etc.? (by the board foot) I realize there is some variation depending on grading, finishing etc., but I'm just trying to get an idea of what the rough sawn wood per board foot would cost when doing a frame.

Depending on the variables you mentioned, between 1 and 2 bucks a board foot will get you graded #2 and maybe #1 timber in a few different species in most parts of the the country. you can get it cheaper sometimes and you can pay more sometimes.

gh

$1 to $2 per BF sounds right.

In '05 & '06 I paid $0.95/BF for #2 or better EWP (sizes 4x6 through 8x10), sizes above 9x12 (IIRC) run a little higher. Hardwoods in similiar sizes ran $1.05-1.25/BF (depending on species). Delivery was included in the price, I'm ~15 miles from the mill.

I wouldn't be suprised to find prices are going up this spring to keep up with fuel costs. The lumber yard recently started charging for local deliveries under $750(?) in value.

Hmmm..That's less than some of the prices I've been seeing on random places on the internet. I've seen $3-$4.50 per BF. These were probably on reclaimed timbers. Is there a price difference between "new" sawn beams and old reclaimed? I recently purchased some barn beams for about $.65 a BF including hauling. I also found a few Oak beams for $1-$1.25 a BF. I thought these were pretty good deals. The wood I've seen for $3-$4.5 a BF does look better, older and heart material. Is this pricing normal or reasonable? Or is it just way out there. If the beams are larger than normal, would that make a difference in price?

Reclaimed timbers from reputable companies are in the range of $4-10/bf for average sizes. This is for high quality doug fir or heart pine, resawn. Hewn barn beams can be more.

Raw reclaimed timber varies widely in price according to the quality, species, whether the seller is a farmer or a fully insured reclaimed lumber company or demolition firm, etc.

For both reclaimed and new timbers, large sizes (12" and up), and long lengths (20 and up) cost more per bf.

With reclaimed wood, there is a huge spectrum of of species, sizes, grade, soundness, condition, quality, appearance, etc. And there are no meaningful standards to use to compare. Everyone has their own definitions for "naily" or "sound" or "clear" or "clean" etc. I would never buy reclaimed wood sight unseen, unless I were dealing with an established, reputable company, and we had a clear description of what I was buying on paper.

gh

You wanna experience serious sticker shock purchase some freshly sawn mesquite in 4x6 or 6x6 posts for porch use. Up to 8' long runs $8 a bf , anything longer (up to 12') my be as much as $15 a bf. It lasts forever even with ground contact. Some old stuff I found in the desert around the long washed away remains of adobe buildings (aged 150 yrs or more) showed no deteriation of anykind other than the beautiful grey patina. When you cut into large trunks you may find a myriad of colors from white to brown to purple to black. Makes real showplace inlaid table tops. Facing for cabinets or wainscoating or counter tops with only an oil finish is great looking stuff. Use the cut off ends for trivets to protect the counter tops. The bugs don't like it either. Prolly nature's most perfect wood. Air dried it becomes like reinforced concrete with no shake, no split, no twist. Cut and employed within six months of felling the dimensions will be the same in 20 years. If you get the idea I like it your r correct.
deralte

I purchased some nice looking barn beams recently as I mentioned -3 8"X10"X38', and 12 beams of shorter lengths 27 feet to 10 feet. I paid between $.26 and $.51 a board foot (I have to evaluate whether it's all good when the weather is a little better, but I think so). I've included hauling costs. Either way I thought it was a pretty good price. I also picked up 3 12"X12"X12' white oak beams this weekend for $.54 per board foot. Talk about heavy! I have to finish my design plans before I buy anything else! Oh by the way, I was trying to think of how I could refinish these. I though about possibly renting a drum floor sanding and straddeling a beam and sanding it. Is this possible? Has anyone ever tried it? I wonder if it would work. I will also try pressure washing to see how that finish looks.

Brad, An orbital sander works fine
BIG CAUTION : TOO POWERFUL PRESSURE WASHER WILL PRODUCE RESULTS YOU DON'T LIKE.
good luck,
deralte

Do you mean an orbital floor sander? Surely you can't mean a single pad conventional one? That would take forever.

B- as big a sander as you can safely control.
We so a lot of post cleaning with a 4" cordless planer (Bosch) and a 4 or 6 inch belt sander.
Keep em moving.