Resources
Expert knowledge to help you make informed decisions about reclaimed lumber. Guides, references, and insights from our team.
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About This Knowledge Base
This resource library is built and maintained by the GreenBoard team — wood professionals with decades of combined experience in salvage, milling, construction, and sustainable design. Every article, table, and guide here reflects real-world practice, not just textbook definitions.
Reclaimed lumber is a complex material. Unlike commoditized new lumber, every piece has a history: a different building, a different climate, a different tree. Making good decisions with reclaimed wood requires understanding species characteristics, grading systems, dimensional standards, and the physical properties that distinguish century-old old-growth stock from modern plantation timber.
Whether you are an architect specifying materials for a LEED project, a contractor estimating board footage for a renovation, a designer choosing between species, or a homeowner tackling a first reclaimed wood installation, these pages are designed to give you the information you actually need. Bookmark them — they are meant to be used as working references, not read once and forgotten.
All Resources
Lumber Sizing Guide
Nominal vs. actual dimensions, board foot calculations, coverage tables, weight by species, and international size conversions.
Read More →Grading Standards
How reclaimed lumber is graded, visual identification tips, NHLA grade comparisons, and a full defect glossary.
Read More →Wood Species Guide
Detailed profiles of 10 reclaimed species including Hickory, Ash, Cypress, and Poplar. Workability ratings, side-by-side comparison chart.
Read More →Sustainability Blog
Articles on the environmental impact of reclaimed lumber, green building practices, and the circular economy of wood.
Read More →Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to 25+ questions about buying, installation, maintenance, cost, sourcing, certifications, fire treatment, moisture, and shipping.
Read More →Featured Articles
Why Old-Growth Reclaimed Lumber Outperforms New Stock
Trees that took 200–500 years to grow produce dramatically denser, tighter-grained wood. We break down the science and show you the data.
Read →InstallationHow to Acclimate Reclaimed Wood Before Installation
Skipping acclimation is the #1 cause of gapping and buckling in reclaimed flooring. Here is the correct process for every climate zone.
Read →CertificationLEED Credits & Reclaimed Materials: A Practical Guide
Which LEED credits apply, what documentation you need, and how we support architects and project teams through the process.
Read →ReferenceBoard Foot Math Made Simple
A clear walkthrough of the formula, common mistakes, and a reference table so you always order the right amount.
Read →Suggested Learning Paths
Not sure where to start? These curated sequences are designed for common use cases. Follow the steps in order for the most efficient path from question to answer.
New to Reclaimed Lumber
- 1Start with the FAQ
Understand the basics — what it is, why it matters, and how to buy safely.
- 2Read the Species Guide
Learn which wood types are best for your project type and budget.
- 3Study Grading Standards
Know what grade to ask for and what to expect visually.
Planning a Build or Renovation
- 1Use the Sizing Guide
Calculate board feet, understand nominal vs. actual, and estimate material quantities.
- 2Review Grading Standards
Match grade to application — structural vs. decorative vs. mixed use.
- 3Check the FAQ for installation tips
Moisture acclimation, fastener choices, finish options, and more.
Architects & Designers
- 1Species Guide for specifications
Janka hardness, density, workability ratings, and appearance notes for spec sheets.
- 2Grading Standards for procurement
NHLA comparisons and grade definitions for accurate material specifications.
- 3Sustainability Blog for LEED support
Environmental documentation, embodied carbon data, and certification guidance.
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Our team answers technical questions about species, sizing, grading, and project planning. Reach out and we will get back to you within one business day.
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