Reclaimed Beams & Timbers
Massive old-growth timbers salvaged from barns, bridges, warehouses, and industrial buildings. From 4x4 posts to 12x12 showpiece beams — each one carrying over a century of Pacific Northwest history.
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The Appeal of Reclaimed Timbers
Beams With a Century of Character
There is no substitute for a genuine reclaimed beam. The deep checking, the hand-hewn tool marks, the oxidized surface patina, and the sheer mass of old-growth timber create a visual and tactile experience that engineered or faux beams simply cannot replicate.
Our beams are sourced from structures built in the late 1800s through mid-1900s, when Pacific Northwest old-growth Douglas Fir, White Oak, and Heart Pine were the standard building materials. Many of our largest timbers — 10x10 and 12x12 — came from industrial warehouse framing and railroad bridge construction.
We process each timber in our Portland facility: removing metal, cleaning surfaces to your specification (from fully rough-hewn to smoothly hand-planed), and grading for structural capacity when needed.
Beam Processing Options
- ✦Rough-hewn — original hand-hewn texture preserved
- ✦Wire-brushed — cleaned surface, character marks visible
- ✦Hand-planed — smooth finish, patina and grain exposed
- ✦Skip-planed — partially surfaced for mixed texture
- ✦Sanded — furniture-grade smooth, ready for finish
- ✦Custom profile — chamfered edges, rounded corners, etc.
Structural Grading
Need load-bearing capacity documentation? We provide structural grading reports for beams used in construction. Grading follows established timber framing standards and accounts for species, grain density, checking, and defect patterns. See our lumber grades guide for details.
Dimensions
Popular Beam Sizes
Stock rotates based on salvage operations. These are our most commonly available sizes. Custom dimensions available through our milling service. For full sizing reference, see our size guide.
| Nominal | Actual | Lengths | Weight (approx.) | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 4 | 3.5" x 3.5" | 4' – 16' | ~3.3 lbs/ft | Posts, railings, furniture legs, small mantels |
| 4 x 6 | 3.5" x 5.5" | 6' – 20' | ~5.1 lbs/ft | Posts, lintels, decorative headers |
| 6 x 6 | 5.5" x 5.5" | 8' – 24' | ~8.0 lbs/ft | Structural posts, pergola beams, gate posts |
| 6 x 8 | 5.5" x 7.5" | 8' – 24' | ~10.9 lbs/ft | Floor beams, ridge beams, mantels |
| 8 x 8 | 7.5" x 7.5" | 8' – 28' | ~14.9 lbs/ft | Exposed ceiling beams, structural posts, headers |
| 8 x 10 | 7.5" x 9.5" | 10' – 28' | ~18.8 lbs/ft | Main carrying beams, large mantels |
| 8 x 12 | 7.5" x 11.5" | 10' – 30' | ~22.8 lbs/ft | Structural beams, bridge timbers, heavy headers |
| 10 x 10 | 9.5" x 9.5" | 10' – 30' | ~23.9 lbs/ft | Major structural, barn-style construction |
| 12 x 12 | 11.5" x 11.5" | 10' – 32' | ~35.0 lbs/ft | Showpiece beams, heavy structural, commercial |
Weights are approximate for Douglas Fir at 6-8% MC. Oak and Heart Pine will be heavier. Non-standard sizes (e.g., 5x7, 7x9, round timbers) available from specific salvage sources — inquire for availability.
Applications
How Clients Use Our Beams
From single mantel pieces to full timber-frame packages, our beams serve projects across every scale — residential, commercial, and architectural.
Exposed Ceiling Beams
The most popular use for reclaimed timbers. A single beam spanning a living room or kitchen transforms the space with warmth and history. We can supply structural beams rated for load-bearing use or purely decorative timbers for cosmetic installation.
Recommended: 6x6, 6x8, 8x8, 8x10 most common
Fireplace Mantels
A reclaimed beam makes the definitive rustic mantel. We provide mantels rough-hewn for full character or hand-planed to a smooth finish with the patina preserved. Pre-drilled for mounting hardware on request.
Recommended: 4x6, 6x6, 6x8, 8x8 — custom profiles available
Structural Posts & Columns
Support posts for porches, lofts, timber-frame additions, and barn-style construction. Every structural timber we sell has been graded for load capacity and comes with species and grade documentation.
Recommended: 6x6, 8x8, 10x10, 12x12
Pergolas & Outdoor Structures
Old-growth Douglas Fir and Cedar beams bring weathered character to pergolas, arbors, and outdoor pavilions. The natural density and resin content of old-growth softwoods gives superior outdoor durability.
Recommended: 4x4, 4x6, 6x6, 6x8
Architectural Headers & Lintels
Door and window headers, garage door lintels, and load-bearing spans. Reclaimed timbers provide both the structural capacity and visual impact for exposed-beam construction styles.
Recommended: 4x6, 6x8, 8x10, 8x12
Commercial & Restaurant Design
Restaurants, breweries, hotels, and retail spaces across Portland feature our reclaimed beams. We work with designers and contractors on large-scale orders with consistent species, color matching, and coordinated finishing.
Recommended: All sizes — we can source matched sets
Available Species
Beam Species & Characteristics
Douglas Fir
Our most abundant beam species. Warm amber tones with tight vertical grain. Exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Checks add character over time.
White Oak
Premium hardwood beams with golden color and prominent grain figure. Extremely heavy and durable. Closed grain resists moisture penetration naturally.
Heart Pine
Salvaged from Southern mill buildings. Reddish-amber heartwood with extraordinary grain density. Some of the most visually striking reclaimed timber available.
Western Red Cedar
Naturally aromatic and weather-resistant. Lighter weight than Fir or Oak. Ideal for outdoor pergolas, covered porches, and exterior timber-frame details.
Ordering
How to Order Reclaimed Beams
Because reclaimed beams are unique pieces, we recommend visiting our Portland yard to hand-select your timbers when possible. You can see the grain, checking patterns, color variations, and overall character of each beam before purchasing.
For remote orders, we photograph and measure candidate beams and send images for your approval before processing. We want you to know exactly what you're getting.
Large beams are heavy — a single 8x8x16' Douglas Fir timber weighs roughly 240 pounds. We offer delivery throughout the Portland metro area and can arrange freight shipping anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. See our delivery services for details.
Beam Order Checklist
- 1Species preference (or open to recommendation)
- 2Nominal size needed (e.g., 8x8)
- 3Length required (note: longer = rarer)
- 4Surface finish: rough, wire-brushed, or planed
- 5Structural or decorative use
- 6Quantity needed
- 7Project timeline / delivery date
- 8Delivery address for shipping quote
Find the Perfect Beam
Whether you need a single mantel piece or a full set of matched timbers for a timber-frame project, our team will help you source exactly what you need.