Reclaimed Beams
Hand-hewn and sawn timbers salvaged from century-old barns and factories — each beam carries a story written in axe marks, nail holes, and weathered grain.
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Beam Types
We offer three distinct finishes, each with its own character. Choose based on the look and feel you want for your space.
Hand-Hewn
Shaped by hand with a broadaxe, these beams feature distinctive tool marks and an irregular surface that tells the story of early American craftsmanship.
Character: Deep axe marks, waney edges, rich patina
Best For: Fireplace mantels, exposed ceiling beams, statement pieces
Rough-Sawn
Cut on early circular or band saws, rough-sawn timbers display parallel saw marks and a rugged texture that pairs well with rustic and industrial interiors.
Character: Parallel saw marks, consistent texture, weathered surface
Best For: Barn-style trusses, loft framing, rustic shelving
Smooth-Sawn
Reclaimed timbers that have been resurfaced on our planer to expose the tight, aged grain beneath. A refined look with reclaimed character.
Character: Smooth face, visible nail holes, tight grain patterns
Best For: Modern farmhouse accents, floating shelves, commercial fit-outs
Common Dimensions
Our beams range from compact accent sizes to massive structural timbers. Custom sizes are available through our custom milling service.
| Cross Section | Available Lengths |
|---|---|
| 4" x 4" | 4’ – 16’ |
| 4" x 6" | 6’ – 20’ |
| 6" x 6" | 6’ – 24’ |
| 6" x 8" | 8’ – 24’ |
| 8" x 8" | 8’ – 30’ |
| 8" x 10" | 8’ – 30’ |
| 10" x 10" | 10’ – 30’+ |
| 12" x 12" | 10’ – 40’+ |
* Lengths and availability vary by species and current inventory. Contact us for specific needs.
Applications
Reclaimed beams bring unmatched warmth and character to any project. Here are the most popular ways our customers use them.
Fireplace Mantels
A reclaimed beam mantel becomes the focal point of any room. We can cut, shape, and finish beams to fit your fireplace exactly.
Structural Timber Framing
Our beams are graded and certified for structural applications. Ideal for post-and-beam construction, timber trusses, and load-bearing headers.
Architectural Accents
From ceiling beams to decorative corbels and header wraps, reclaimed timbers add warmth and depth to commercial and residential spaces alike.
Installation Considerations
Reclaimed beams are heavy, substantial pieces of wood. Proper planning for weight, structural support, and mounting is essential for a safe and successful installation.
Weight & Handling
Reclaimed beams are significantly heavier than construction-grade dimensional lumber. A typical 8" x 8" x 10' beam weighs approximately 180 pounds. A 12" x 12" x 12' timber can exceed 480 pounds. Always plan for adequate labor and lifting equipment during installation.
- Use a minimum of two people for beams under 100 lbs
- Beams over 200 lbs require mechanical lifting (chain hoist, telehandler, or crane)
- Protect finished surfaces with moving blankets during transport and positioning
Structural Requirements
If your beam will serve a structural purpose (load-bearing header, ridge beam, or post), you must have an engineer verify that the species, grade, and dimensions meet the load requirements for your specific application.
- We provide species identification and dimensional certification for engineering review
- Reclaimed beams may have checking, knots, or bolt holes that affect structural capacity
- Always consult a licensed structural engineer for load-bearing applications
Mounting Methods
Decorative beams (non-load-bearing) can be mounted using several methods depending on the wall or ceiling structure. Proper attachment to framing members is essential given the weight of reclaimed timbers.
- Lag screws into studs or joists (minimum 3/8" diameter, 4" embedment)
- Steel angle brackets concealed inside hollowed beams
- Through-bolt connections for heavy mantels over masonry fireplaces
Finishing Options
We offer five finishing options for our reclaimed beams. Each option preserves different amounts of the original character while protecting the wood for its new life in your space.
Natural / Unfinished
The beam is delivered with no applied finish. The original patina, tool marks, and weathered surface are fully intact. Ideal for customers who want to apply their own finish or prefer the raw look. Some surface dust may be present.
Wire Brushed
A wire brush is run across all faces to clean the surface and raise the grain texture without removing the patina. This deepens the visual contrast between soft and hard grain and gives the beam a tactile, textured feel. No topcoat applied.
Clear Satin Coat
One coat of water-based satin polyurethane is applied to seal the surface and lock in the natural color. This prevents the beam from shedding dust or fibers and gives it a subtle sheen without a plastic look. The most popular finish for interior mantels.
Penetrating Oil
A natural tung oil or Danish oil is hand-rubbed into the surface to deepen the color and protect against moisture without building a surface film. The oil soaks into the grain, enhancing the warmth and depth of aged wood while maintaining a matte appearance.
Custom Stain
We can apply a custom stain color to match your cabinetry, flooring, or design palette. A stain sample on your actual beam is provided for approval before the full application. Available in espresso, gray wash, ebony, provincial, and custom-matched tones.
Custom Beam Services
Every installation is different. We offer a range of custom fabrication services so your beam fits your project exactly. All custom work is done in-house at our mill shop.
Notching
We cut precise notches for steel hangers, ledger boards, or intersecting beams. Common for post-and-beam connections and exposed truss work. Notches are cut with a combination of chain saw and chisel for clean, tight joints.
Tolerance: ±1/16" | Any position along beam length
Drilling
Through-holes and blind holes for lag bolts, threaded rod, electrical conduit, or decorative hardware. We drill with auger bits and Forstner bits for clean, splinter-free holes in reclaimed hardwood and softwood species.
Diameters: 1/4" to 2" | Depths: through or specified
End Cuts
We cut beams to your exact length and can shape the ends with square cuts, angled cuts, chamfered edges, or decorative profiles. Miter cuts are available for corner joints on mantel returns and L-shaped beam configurations.
Miter angles: 0°–45° | Accuracy: ±1/32"
Flattening
We flatten one or more faces of hand-hewn beams to create a level mounting surface against walls or ceilings, or a flat top surface for mantel use. The remaining faces retain their original hand-hewn character and tool marks.
Max width: 16" | Planer or router sled method
Hollowing
For decorative (non-structural) ceiling beam wraps, we hollow the beam from the back to reduce weight and create a channel that slips over a mounting cleat. A hollowed beam can weigh 40–60% less than a solid timber of the same dimensions.
Minimum wall thickness: 1.5" | Max opening: beam width minus 3"
Sanding & Resurfacing
We can sand one or all faces to expose the fresh grain beneath the weathered surface. This is popular for mantels where a smooth top surface is desired while the front face retains its original patina. Available in grits from 60 to 180.
Belt sander or drum sander | Grits: 60–180
Project Inspiration
Not sure how to use reclaimed beams in your space? Here are six project ideas that our customers have brought to life with our timbers.
Great Room Ceiling Beams
Run a series of parallel beams across a vaulted or cathedral ceiling to create a dramatic timber-frame look. Use 6×8 or 8×8 rough-sawn beams spaced 4–6 feet apart. Stain to match flooring or leave natural for contrast against a white ceiling. This treatment transforms builder-grade rooms into architectural showpieces.
Barn Door Header
Mount a hand-hewn beam above a sliding barn door as a decorative header. The beam conceals the door track hardware and creates a rustic transition between spaces. A 4×6 or 6×6 beam works well for standard 36-inch doorways. Extend the beam 6–12 inches past each side of the opening for balanced proportions.
Kitchen Island Support
Use a pair of reclaimed beam posts as support columns for an extended kitchen island countertop. The vertical posts create a visual anchor and pair beautifully with butcher block or stone countertops. Select smooth-sawn beams for easy cleaning around food preparation areas.
Outdoor Pergola
Build a backyard pergola with reclaimed 6×6 or 8×8 beams as the primary structural members. The weight and density of old-growth timbers make them naturally wind-resistant, and species like white oak and Douglas fir perform well outdoors with proper sealing. A four-post pergola typically requires 4 columns, 2 beams, and 6–8 rafters.
Staircase Stringer Wraps
Wrap modern steel or LVL stair stringers with reclaimed beam facings to create the appearance of a solid timber staircase. This technique delivers the look of massive timber construction at a fraction of the weight and cost. Our hollow beam service makes the wraps lightweight and easy to install.
Wine Cellar Ceiling Grid
Create an old-world wine cellar atmosphere with a grid of crossing beams on the ceiling. Use 4×6 or 6Ö6 beams arranged in a coffered pattern with 3–4 foot spacing. The natural darkness of aged wood, combined with low lighting, gives the room an authentic centuries-old European feel.
Load Bearing Information
Reclaimed beams can absolutely serve structural purposes, but engineering review is essential. Here is what you and your engineer need to know.
Species & Grade Matter
The allowable stress values for a reclaimed beam depend on its species, grade, and condition. Old-growth white oak and Douglas fir generally have higher fiber strength and stiffness than modern plantation-grown equivalents due to their tight growth rings and higher density. However, defects common in reclaimed beams \u2014 checking, knots, bolt holes, and insect channels \u2014 must be accounted for in structural calculations. We identify the species of every beam we sell and can provide visual grading information to assist your engineer.
Reference Design Values
For preliminary design purposes, engineers typically reference the National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction published by the American Wood Council. Reclaimed beams are generally graded as "No. 2" or "No. 1" visually graded timbers unless a higher grade can be justified through individual inspection. A reclaimed white oak beam graded as No. 1 has a reference bending design value (Fb) of approximately 1,100 psi and a modulus of elasticity (E) of approximately 1,100,000 psi for a 5x5 and larger post and timber classification.
Span Tables & Engineering Stamps
We do not provide span tables or engineering stamps, as these must come from a licensed structural engineer familiar with your local building codes and specific load conditions. What we do provide: accurate species identification, precise measurements, documentation of visible defects (checking, knots, holes), moisture content readings, and photographs of the specific beam being considered. This information gives your engineer what they need to evaluate the beam for your application.
Common Structural Applications
Our reclaimed beams are regularly used as load-bearing headers above window and door openings, ridge beams in vaulted roof framing, floor girders in timber frame construction, and post-and-beam columns. For these applications, most engineers specify a beam at least one size larger than what the load calculation requires to account for the variable condition of reclaimed timber and provide an additional safety margin. For example, if the calculation calls for a 6\u00D78, an 8\u00D78 reclaimed beam is typically specified.
Every Beam Tells a Greener Story
Choosing reclaimed beams means choosing to keep centuries-old wood out of landfills and reducing the demand for newly harvested timber. Each beam we salvage prevents approximately 500 pounds of embodied carbon from being released into the atmosphere. The old-growth species found in these historic structures — white oak, heart pine, Douglas fir — simply cannot be replicated by modern forestry. Their tight grain, superior density, and natural resilience are the product of decades of slow growth in forests that no longer exist.
When you build with reclaimed beams from North Iowa Lumber, you are not just constructing a space — you are preserving a piece of American history while making a meaningful environmental impact.
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