THE PEOPLE

Vintage Timberworks, Inc. was founded in 1992, the result of blending decades of woodworking, the amazing qualities of “vintage” wood and a passion for “perfect imperfection”. Timbers salvaged from deconstruction projects were trademark components of the many custom commercial and residential construction projects that the founder Dennis Roberts built over 20 years. Matthew Roberts joined the company full time in 2005 with unique creativity, artistry and multi-faceted woodworking knowledge. Matt Bullock and Dawn Delarosa are our outstanding customer service staff with complete knowledge of our products, options, pricing and scheduling. Together with our very talented crew of millwrights and sawyers, Vintage Timberworks, Inc. produces globally sourced, sustainable reclaimed wood products of unsurpassed quality.

THE PROS

Recycled lumber/reclaimed wood generally result from original stands of old growth forests and is incomparable in fiber quality, density, architectural esthetics and character. Premium applications include timber frames, exposed timber trusses, open beam ceilings, exposed lintels, trellis work, fireplace mantels, reclaimed wood flooring, millwork, and furniture. Slowly dried in place and dry to the core, the stability of reclaimed lumber is unsurpassed. There is simply no equal substitute for the stability of air dried reclaimed wood and timber. Our material inventory generally is stable at around 10-12% moisture content, ambient for coastal California. The low moisture content, a result from many years of air drying, reduces the tendency for the wood to shrink and pull apart, problematic with exposed applications using green lumber. Slow growing old growth trees equate to extraordinary density, also contributing to stability. And very importantly, recycled wood is environmentally sound and sustainable. Most old growth forests in the US are luckily protected by moratorium from logging. Our reclaimed wood and lumber products help to reduce the pressure to harvest these old growth trees.

THE CHARACTER

All wood will develop a “patina” by natural oxidation over a long period of time. As the wood dries and ages, the oxidation occurring on the surface creates the patina impossible to artificially recreate on new lumber. Exposed to the elements, inside or outside, a piece of wood will develop a “patina” from its exposure to sun, wind, rain, elements, soil etc. The history of the building in which the reclaimed wood was located can also contribute to its appearance. Reclaimed wood flooring from a warehouse will retain the original distressing form years of service. Reclaimed hand hewn barn beams carry the marks from the adz ax and broad axe originally used to size the beam. A 100-year-old fish cannery dock from Vancouver Island, BC that makes up our entry door to our showroom displays the gaff marks resulting from years of service in the fishing industry.

THE PRODUCT HISTORY

Old, aged, used lumber has unique historical value, a reflection of certain regions and industries. When restoration of a structure is not practical, we pride ourselves in preserving the structure’s history through the rescue and reuse of the building components. Salvaging beams, timbers, wood flooring, hardware and artifacts are part of the reclamation process. History lives on in vintage wood products: reclaimed hand hewn barn beams, recycled barn siding, rustic mantels, antique barn hardware, reclaimed wood flooring, weathered grey boards and ancient kauri slabs.

Reclaimed wood generally contains varying degrees of character marks which result from previous joinery and fastener marks. These include bolt holes, nail holes, mortises, notches. Seasoning checks (cracks) are natural characteristics that develop from the drying process. They exhibit age and “character”, like wrinkles upon a wise man’s face.

We take great pride in all of our reclaimed wood products. We work closely with the owner, architect, and builder and tradesman to tailor materials to your specifications and application.