Recycling & Processing
Our state-of-the-art processing facility transforms raw demolition lumber into premium, ready-to-use reclaimed material.
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Lumber recycling is more than pulling nails. It requires expertise, specialized equipment, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Our Commerce, CA processing facility handles over 500,000 board feet annually, transforming raw salvage into graded, milled, and ready-to-use building material — all while maintaining a zero-waste operation.
Raw demolition lumber is unpredictable. It contains hidden fasteners that destroy planer heads. It carries moisture that causes post-installation movement. It harbors lead paint residues and biological contamination. Every step of our processing sequence exists to address one or more of these challenges — systematically and verifiably, not informally.
Processing Services
De-Nailing
Multi-pass metal detection and hand de-nailing remove every fastener. We use rare-earth magnets, walk-through metal detectors, and experienced hands to ensure clean lumber that will not damage your equipment or endanger workers. Our de-nailing guarantee covers equipment repair costs up to $500 per incident if a hidden fastener is found post-delivery.
Surface Cleaning
Pressure washing (4,000 PSI hot water), wire brushing, and surface planing remove decades of grime, paint residue, and surface contaminants. We offer three cleaning levels: Light (brush and blow, maximum patina preserved), Standard (pressure wash and light scuff), and Full (pressure wash plus face-pass planing for near-fresh-sawn appearance).
Grading
Every board is graded by trained evaluators using our four-tier standard adapted for reclaimed material: Select (structurally sound, minimal surface defects), #1 Common (full structural integrity with surface character), #2 Common (sound for non-visible applications), and Utility (decoration only). Species identification, moisture content, and dimensions are documented alongside grade. Grade reports accompany every order.
Kiln Drying
Our 25,000-BF-capacity solar-assisted kiln brings reclaimed lumber to stable moisture content without excessive energy use. Interior target: 6–8% MC. Exterior target: 12–15% MC. Kiln schedules are species-specific — dense hardwoods like oak receive slower cycles to prevent checking, while softer species like fir dry faster. Proof-of-drying documentation is available for all kiln-dried orders.
Milling & Profiling
Re-saw to custom widths and thicknesses. Planing to smooth S4S finish. Profile milling for tongue-and-groove, shiplap, V-groove, and custom patterns — often in a single pass through our four-head moulder. See our Custom Milling service for full profile capabilities and tolerances.
Treatment & Finishing
Tim-bor borate treatment for insect and fungal protection without petroleum-based preservatives. Pre-finishing with Rubio Monocoat, Osmo, Penofin, or customer-specified natural oils and penetrating stains. ISPM 15 heat treatment for export compliance, certifiable for all destination countries signatory to the convention.
Equipment & Throughput
Our facility is equipped specifically for reclaimed wood processing — which presents different challenges than processing fresh-sawn lumber. Every piece of equipment was selected or modified for the demands of aged, dense, and fastener-containing material.
| Equipment | Specification | Throughput | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide-Capacity Bandsaw Re-Saw | 24" throat, 12" max height | Up to 2,000 BF / shift | Primary re-sawing of timbers and thick stock into thinner boards. Bookmatched pairs, slab slicing. |
| Four-Head Moulder / Planer | 24" max width, 0.375" min thickness | Up to 3,500 LF / shift | S2S and S4S surfacing. Profile milling of T&G, shiplap, V-groove, and custom patterns in a single pass. |
| Walk-Through Metal Detector | Dual-frequency, calibrated to ≥ 3/8" ferrous | All lumber — 100% pass-through | First-pass detection of nails, bolts, and staples before boards enter cutting equipment. |
| Rare-Earth De-Nailing Table | 4,000-gauss surface magnets + hand tools | All lumber — 100% pass-through | Pulls surface and subsurface ferrous fasteners after metal detection. Trained operators remove non-ferrous fasteners by hand. |
| 36" Wide-Belt Sander | 36" max width, 80–220 grit | Up to 1,800 BF / shift | Final surface preparation for flooring and paneling. Produces consistent scratch patterns for finish adhesion. |
| Solar-Assisted Kiln | 25,000 BF capacity, 60–180°F range | 1 full load per 7–14 days depending on species | Drying reclaimed lumber to stable MC (6–8% interior / 12–15% exterior). Heat treatment to ISPM 15 standard. |
| Industrial Pressure Washer | 4,000 PSI, hot water, rotating tip | Variable by board surface area | Surface cleaning to remove decades of grime, mill scale, paint residue, and biological contamination. |
| CNC Router Sled | 48" x 144" work area, 3-axis | Up to 12 slabs / shift | Live-edge slab flattening. Produces reference-flat surfaces on wide, irregular stock that cannot pass through a planer. |
BF = Board Feet. LF = Linear Feet. Throughput figures represent single-shift (8-hour) capacity under normal operating conditions. Actual throughput varies by species density, board condition, and processing complexity.
Quality Control Process
Quality is not an inspection at the end of the line — it is built into every step. Our QC protocol has seven distinct checkpoints from material intake to shipment.
Incoming Inspection
All material is inspected upon arrival at the facility. Species are identified, gross defects noted, and material assessed for processing suitability. Unacceptable material (active rot, heavy contamination, pressure-treated) is rejected before it enters the processing floor.
Metal Detection — Pass 1
Every board passes through our walk-through metal detector calibrated to identify ferrous objects 3/8 inch and larger. Flagged boards are pulled for hand de-nailing before re-entry. Pass rate is logged per batch.
De-Nailing — Hand Pass
Trained de-nailers work every board on the rare-earth table, removing flagged fasteners and surface-checking with bar magnets for any remaining metal. Non-ferrous fasteners (aluminum, stainless) are removed by hand during this step.
Metal Detection — Pass 2
After hand de-nailing, boards pass through the detector a second time. Any board that triggers detection is quarantined for further inspection and does not proceed to milling equipment.
Moisture Testing
Pinless moisture meters are used on a minimum of 20% of boards per batch, with 100% testing applied to kiln-dried material destined for flooring or interior finish applications. Target ranges are verified before boards are graded and inventoried.
Grading & Documentation
Trained graders evaluate each board against our four-tier grade standard (Select, #1 Common, #2 Common, Utility). Grade, species, dimensions, moisture content, and any notable characteristics are documented in our inventory system.
Final Inspection at Shipment
Orders are assembled and re-inspected by a QC supervisor before loading. Piece count, grade mix, and moisture readings are verified against the order. The grade report and moisture documentation ship with every delivery.
Zero-Waste Commitment
Nothing that enters our facility goes to waste. Here is what happens to every piece of material:
Lumber meeting our grade standards is sold as building material — flooring, paneling, framing, and millwork.
Wood too damaged for building use is chipped and sold to biomass energy facilities, displacing fossil fuel inputs.
Fine shavings and small off-cuts become landscape mulch and animal bedding, keeping wood fiber in productive use.
Environmental Impact — Annual Estimates
Certifications & Compliance
Our processing operation meets or exceeds the following standards.
Heat treatment for international lumber export. All heat-treated material carries official IPPC mark.
Authorized to handle pre-1978 painted lumber. Lead-safe work practices applied throughout processing.
Industry standards for reclaimed material grading, handling, and documentation practices.
We provide waste-diversion letters and material sourcing documentation for LEED project submissions at no charge.
Licensed for demolition, deconstruction, and associated construction activities statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What minimum load size do you accept for processing?
Processing loads typically start at 500–1,000 board feet; larger volumes receive faster scheduling and better pricing.
Can you process painted or coated lumber?
Yes, provided coatings are lead-safe to handle under EPA RRP. Heavily contaminated or CCA-treated material is rejected.
Do you kiln-dry reclaimed lumber after de-nailing?
Kiln drying is available and recommended for interior use; lead times depend on species and starting moisture.
Can you supply grading and moisture reports?
Every processed order can include grade reports and moisture readings when requested.
Do you offer toll processing if I want to keep my material?
Yes. Bring your salvage to our Commerce facility; we process it and return the finished lumber to you.
Toll Processing — Bring Us Your Lumber
Have a pile of used lumber that needs processing but you want to keep the material? We offer toll processing services: deliver your raw salvage to our Commerce, CA facility and we will de-nail, grade, dry, and mill it to your specifications. You keep the lumber; you pay only for processing.
Toll processing is available for minimum loads of 1,000 board feet. Lead times vary by processing type: de-nailing and grading typically turn around in 2–5 business days; kiln drying adds 7–14 days depending on species and moisture content; custom milling is scheduled on our production calendar, typically 5–10 business days after dried material is ready.
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