Spring is our busiest season for barn and building deconstruction, and this year is no exception. We've completed three significant salvage projects over the past two months, and the material is now processed and available.
First: a massive dairy barn near Osage, Iowa, built around 1905. This structure yielded over 8,000 board feet of white oak — mostly 2x dimensional stock in lengths from 8 to 16 feet. The oak is beautiful: tight grain, warm patina, and minimal defects. It's now kiln-dried and available in Standard and Premium grades.
Second: an industrial warehouse in Waterloo that's being converted to apartments. The demolition contractor set aside the original timber framing for us — 24 Douglas fir beams ranging from 6x8 to 10x12, plus about 3,000 board feet of mixed hardwood decking. The beams still have their original circular saw marks, dating them to the early 1920s.
Third: a smaller but interesting find — a rural schoolhouse near Fertile, Iowa, built in 1912. The schoolhouse was framed with local elm and had tongue-and-groove heart pine flooring throughout (likely shipped from the South). We salvaged about 1,200 board feet of the flooring and 600 board feet of elm framing.
All new material is listed in our inventory and available for purchase. As always, you're welcome to visit our facility in Mason City to see and select pieces in person. Our yard is open Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday mornings until noon.
If you've been waiting for a specific species or dimension, now is a great time to check in. Spring inventory moves fast — especially the premium grades and the heart pine flooring. Email us at info@northiowalumber.com with your needs and we'll let you know what we have available.