Projects & Case Studies
From Fishtown restaurants to Cape May Victorians, our reclaimed lumber has found new life in some of the region's most distinctive buildings. These are their stories.
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Featured Case Studies
Each project presented unique challenges in material sourcing, processing, and installation. Here is how we solved them.
The Grain & Gavel
Fishtown, Philadelphia
A former textile dyeing facility on Frankford Avenue transformed into a 4,800-square-foot restaurant and cocktail bar. The owners wanted the interior to honor the building’s industrial past while creating a warm, contemporary dining atmosphere.
The Challenge
The original joists were heavily saturated with decades of chemical dyes. Surface staining ran deep, and many beams had embedded iron fasteners that had corroded and expanded, splitting the surrounding wood fibers.
Our Solution
Our milling team resawed the contaminated outer faces from the heart pine joists, revealing clean, tight-grained stock underneath. We surfaced and sealed 2,400 board feet of heart pine for the bar top, wainscoting, and ceiling planking. An additional 800 board feet of white oak salvaged from a Bucks County barn became the communal dining tables. Every fastener hole was left exposed as a design element rather than filled — a decision that became the restaurant’s visual signature.
Whitfield Estate Barn Conversion
Bryn Mawr, Main Line
A 1920s dairy barn on a seven-acre Main Line estate was converted into a three-bedroom guest house and home office. The architect required that at least 60% of the interior wood be sourced from reclaimed stock to qualify for local green building incentives.
The Challenge
The barn’s original Douglas fir timber frame was structurally sound but cosmetically rough — decades of cow manure, lime wash, and weather exposure had left the surfaces pitted and gray. The client also wanted American chestnut flooring, a species that hasn’t been commercially available since the blight of the early 1900s.
Our Solution
We wire-brushed and lightly planed the fir timbers to reveal the honey-gold heartwood beneath the weathered exterior, preserving saw marks and the original hand-hewn edges. For the chestnut flooring, we sourced boards from two demolished barns in Lancaster County — one dating to 1880 — and precision-milled them into tongue-and-groove planks with a consistent 5/4 thickness. The result was 3,800 board feet of genuine antique chestnut flooring that the homeowner described as the single most beautiful element of the renovation.
Hotel & Residences at Rittenhouse
Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
A 42-room boutique hotel occupying a renovated 1890s brownstone near Rittenhouse Square. The interior designer specified reclaimed wood for the lobby, hallway paneling, and all guest room headboards to create what she called "a living connection to Philadelphia’s architectural fabric."
The Challenge
Consistency at scale. The designer needed 6,100 board feet of white oak and walnut that matched tightly in color, grain pattern, and thickness across 42 guest rooms and 3,000 square feet of public space. Reclaimed stock is inherently variable, making uniformity difficult.
Our Solution
We batch-sorted our entire white oak and walnut inventory by color tone and grain density, creating matched lots. Our kiln brought all stock to a uniform 7% moisture content. We then ran every board through a double-pass planer to achieve consistent 3/4-inch thickness with less than 1/64-inch variance. The hotel opened in 2023 and was named one of Architectural Digest’s "best new boutique hotels using reclaimed materials."
Robertson Hall Lecture Theater
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
A 220-seat lecture hall renovation at Princeton University that required acoustic paneling and seating risers made from sustainably sourced or reclaimed wood. The university’s sustainability office mandated that all wood contribute to their campus-wide carbon neutrality initiative.
The Challenge
Acoustic requirements were exacting. The wood panels needed specific thickness and density profiles to meet the acoustic consultant’s reverberation targets. Additionally, Princeton required full chain-of-custody documentation proving the reclaimed origin of every board.
Our Solution
We supplied 4,800 board feet of reclaimed heart pine sourced from a single demolished cotton mill in Manayunk — providing consistent density and grain characteristics ideal for acoustic performance. Each board was tagged with a lot number tied to our salvage documentation, giving Princeton complete traceability. Post-installation acoustic testing confirmed that the heart pine panels actually outperformed the engineered wood originally specified, with superior mid-frequency absorption due to the old-growth grain density.
Tidewater Brewing Company
Wilmington, Delaware Waterfront
A craft brewery and taproom built inside a converted shipping warehouse on the Wilmington waterfront. The brewer wanted a rustic-industrial interior that would feel authentic to the working waterfront location — no faux-rustic veneers or artificially distressed materials.
The Challenge
The client’s budget was tight. They wanted genuine reclaimed wood throughout the taproom but couldn’t afford premium species like heart pine or white oak for every surface. They also needed moisture-resistant material for areas near the brewing equipment.
Our Solution
We created a material strategy that paired premium and economy-grade stock. Feature walls and the bar top used 900 board feet of select-grade reclaimed barn wood with rich patina. The remaining 2,000 board feet of Eastern hemlock — a durable, affordable softwood we salvaged from a demolished bridge formwork project in Bucks County — became the ceiling planking, booth framing, and shelf supports. The hemlock was kiln-dried to resist the humidity from the brewing process. Total material cost came in 22% under the client’s original budget.
Stonegate Farm Residence
New Hope, Bucks County
A ground-up custom home designed to look and feel like a centuries-old Pennsylvania farmhouse. The architect specified reclaimed wood for all structural beams, flooring, wall paneling, and exterior siding — making this our largest single-project material supply to date.
The Challenge
Sourcing 11,200 board feet of mixed reclaimed species for a single project required drawing from multiple salvage sites, each with different wood conditions, moisture levels, and dimensional profiles. The architect demanded that the finished home appear as if all the wood had aged together in the same structure for 200 years.
Our Solution
Over a four-month procurement period, we sourced stock from five different demolition projects across southeastern Pennsylvania. Each batch was kiln-dried to a uniform 8% MC, then our milling team developed a custom finishing protocol: a light wire-brush pass followed by a diluted iron acetate wash that reacted with tannins in the wood to produce a consistent aged gray tone. The result unified boards from five different sources into a seamless whole. The architect later told us it was the most convincing "old house" he’d ever built.
Vector Capital Partners Office
Center City, Philadelphia
A 12,000-square-foot private equity firm office on the 14th floor of a Market Street high-rise. The founding partners wanted their lobby and conference room to project permanence and craftsmanship — a deliberate counterpoint to the sterile glass-and-steel aesthetic of typical financial offices.
The Challenge
Working in a high-rise presented logistical constraints: freight elevator size limits, strict building management delivery windows, and zero tolerance for sawdust or debris in common areas. All material had to be finish-ready before it entered the building.
Our Solution
We pre-finished all 1,800 board feet in our Townsend Road shop. Walnut boards for the reception desk and conference table were hand-selected for bookmatched grain symmetry, planed to final dimension, sanded to 220 grit, and sealed with a zero-VOC hardwax oil. Douglas fir ceiling beams were wire-brushed, sealed, and pre-drilled for the contractor’s mounting hardware. Everything was delivered on a single flatbed, wrapped in furniture blankets, and moved up via the freight elevator in two loads. Installation took three days with zero rework.
Oceanview Victorian Restoration
Cape May, New Jersey
A full restoration of an 1892 Queen Anne Victorian bed-and-breakfast on Beach Avenue in Cape May. The Cape May Historic Preservation Commission required that replacement wood match the original species, dimensions, and profile of the existing millwork as closely as possible.
The Challenge
The original structure used old-growth heart pine for flooring and framing, and bald cypress for the exterior siding, porch decking, and trim — cypress being the traditional choice for coastal structures due to its natural rot resistance. Matching the original millwork profiles required custom tooling, and the historic commission reviewed every material submission before approving installation.
Our Solution
We sourced 3,200 board feet of heart pine from a demolished Trenton hosiery mill with grain density closely matching the original flooring. For the exterior, we located 2,200 board feet of reclaimed bald cypress from a dismantled dock structure on the Chesapeake Bay — wood that had already proven its weather resistance over 80 years of salt air exposure. Our millwork team ground custom shaper knives to replicate the original Victorian trim profiles, matching every bead, cove, and chamfer to within 1/32 inch. The restoration won a Cape May Preservation Award in 2024.
Why Architects Choose Us
Design professionals return to Philadelphia Lumber Co. because we eliminate the uncertainty that typically surrounds reclaimed wood specification.
Documented Provenance
Every board we supply comes with full chain-of-custody documentation — where it was salvaged, when, and how it was processed. For LEED submissions, historic tax credit applications, and client presentations, having a verified material story matters. We maintain salvage records going back to 2010.
Architectural-Grade Milling
Our in-house milling operation can produce tolerances that meet or exceed dimensional lumber standards. We plane, resaw, tongue-and-groove, and profile reclaimed stock to your exact specifications. When your drawings call for 13/16-inch paneling, you get 13/16-inch paneling — not "approximately 3/4 inch."
Species Expertise
Reclaimed lumber requires identification skills that go beyond reading a grade stamp. Our team can visually and tactilely identify over two dozen species commonly found in historic Philadelphia-area structures. We know which species perform in which applications, and we’ll steer you away from choices that look right but won’t hold up.
Project-Scale Reliability
We’ve supplied material for projects ranging from 200 to 11,000+ board feet. Our inventory management system tracks species, grade, dimensions, moisture content, and location within the yard. When you need 5,000 board feet of matched white oak for a hotel renovation, we can confirm availability, reserve your lot, and schedule milling — all in one conversation.
What Our Clients Say
Architects, contractors, and building owners who have worked with our reclaimed lumber.
“We’ve specified Philadelphia Lumber Co. on seven projects in the past three years. Their milling quality is indistinguishable from new hardwood, but the character and story of the reclaimed material is something no sawmill can replicate. They’ve become our default source for any project involving exposed wood.”
Sarah Chen, AIA
Principal, Chen + Park Architects, Philadelphia
“The documentation they provided for our Princeton project was more thorough than what we’ve received from FSC-certified mills. Every board was traceable to its source structure. That level of accountability made our sustainability reporting effortless.”
Dr. James Whitmore
Director of Campus Sustainability, Princeton University
“I expected reclaimed lumber to be a headache — inconsistent dimensions, hidden nails, moisture problems. Philadelphia Lumber delivered material that was cleaner and more dimensionally stable than the kiln-dried stock I get from my regular supplier. I won’t go back.”
Mike DiFrancesco
General Contractor, DiFrancesco Builders, Bucks County
Start Your Project
Whether you're an architect specifying reclaimed wood for the first time or a contractor who needs reliable material at scale, we're ready to help plan your next build.
Our Project Methodology
Every project we supply — regardless of scale — follows a structured methodology that ensures the right material arrives at the right time in the right condition. This process has been refined over 15 years and hundreds of projects.
Phase 1: Discovery & Specification. We begin with a detailed conversation about your project: what the wood is for, what it needs to look like, what structural loads it must carry, and what certifications or documentation are required. For architectural projects, we review drawings and specifications directly. For homeowner projects, we start with photos and measurements. This phase typically takes 1-3 days and results in a clear material specification that both parties agree to.
Phase 2: Sourcing & Inventory Check. We search our current inventory for material matching the specification. If we have sufficient stock, we reserve it against your order immediately. If the required species, grade, or quantity exceeds current inventory, we activate our salvage network to source additional material. Sourcing lead times range from immediate (for common species in stock) to 2-4 weeks (for rare species or very large volumes).
Phase 3: Processing & Quality Control. Reserved material enters our processing pipeline: de-nailing, metal detection, kiln drying, milling to specified dimensions and profiles, and final grading. Every board is inspected at each transition point. We provide progress updates at key milestones so you always know where your order stands.
Phase 4: Delivery & Installation Support. Finished material is packaged per our freight preparation standards and delivered on your schedule. For complex installations, our team is available by phone to advise on acclimation, fastening, and finishing best practices. We stay engaged through installation to ensure the material performs as expected.
Design Partnership: Working with Architects & Designers
We work closely with design professionals to bridge the gap between creative vision and material reality. Here is what we offer to architecture and design firms.
Sample Libraries
We maintain a curated sample library of every species and grade we commonly carry. Architects and designers can request a sample kit — a set of 4x6 inch specimens showing different species, finishes, and character levels — shipped free of charge. Many firms keep our samples in their material libraries for client presentations.
Specification Language Support
Writing spec language for reclaimed wood is different from specifying commodity lumber. We provide sample CSI Division 06 specification paragraphs tailored to reclaimed material, including appropriate language for substitution clauses, quality assurance provisions, and submittal requirements. Our language has been vetted on over 40 LEED-certified projects.
Submittal Packages
For projects that require formal submittals (most commercial work), we prepare complete packages including species identification, grading documentation, moisture content certifications, chain-of-custody letters, finish data sheets, and physical material samples. We respond to RFIs within 2 business days.
Mock-Up Panels
For high-visibility installations (hotel lobbies, restaurant interiors, corporate offices), we build mock-up panels in our shop so the design team can evaluate the material in context before committing to a full order. Mock-up panels show the actual species, grade, profile, and finish that will be used in the final installation.
Continuing Education
We present AIA-approved continuing education sessions on topics including "Specifying Reclaimed Wood for Architectural Applications" and "LEED Documentation for Salvaged Materials." Contact us to schedule a presentation for your firm — sessions are complimentary and qualify for AIA LU credits.
Early Design Consultation
Engaging us during schematic design rather than after construction documents are complete allows us to inform species selection, dimensional planning, and cost estimation early enough to influence design decisions. Early consultation often reduces material costs by 10-15% by aligning the design with what the salvage market offers.
Material Selection: How We Match Wood to Your Project
Selecting the right reclaimed wood for a project is part science, part art, and part market knowledge. Here is the framework we use to recommend materials — the same process whether you are building a single dining table or fitting out a 40-room hotel.
Application requirements first. We start with the functional demands: Is this a floor that needs to withstand foot traffic? A structural beam carrying a load? An accent wall that is purely decorative? The application narrows the species options. Flooring needs hardness (heart pine, white oak). Beams need strength-to-weight ratio (Douglas fir, white oak). Accent walls can use softer, more characterful species (hemlock, barn wood, chestnut).
Aesthetic intent second. Once functional requirements define the species shortlist, we consider aesthetics: warm tones or cool? Tight grain or open? Clean and uniform or maximally rustic? A modern minimalist restaurant calls for select-grade white oak with minimal character marks. A farmhouse kitchen wants wormy chestnut with every nail hole and saw mark on display. We work with your design team to identify the right point on the character spectrum.
Availability and budget third. Reclaimed lumber is a found material — we sell what demolition yields, and that changes monthly. If your first-choice species is not available in the required volume, we recommend alternatives with similar properties and aesthetics. Budget informs the grade selection: dropping from Select to #1 can save 30% per board foot with negligible impact on most installations. We provide transparent pricing at every stage so there are no surprises.
Processing and finish last. Once material is selected, we determine the processing pathway: how much milling, what profiles, what target moisture content, and what finish (if any) to apply before delivery. Some customers want rough-sawn stock and handle all milling themselves. Others want fully finished, installation-ready product. We accommodate the full spectrum.