New Lumber
Sustainably Sourced Wood
When your project calls for new material, we supply FSC-certified and responsibly harvested lumber from managed forests. The same local service and expert guidance you expect from Philadelphia Lumber Co., backed by a commitment to responsible sourcing at every level.
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New Wood, Responsible Roots
Reclaimed lumber is at the heart of what we do, and we will always recommend salvaged material when it fits the project. But we also recognize that not every application is suited for reclaimed stock. Code-mandated structural framing, pressure-treated ground contact, uniform sheet goods, and engineered products all require new material — and there is no reason that new material cannot be sourced responsibly.
Every new board, sheet, and beam we carry comes from suppliers who participate in third-party-certified sustainable forestry programs. The majority of our new inventory is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, ensuring that the forests it came from are managed for biodiversity, water quality, indigenous rights, and long-term harvest sustainability. Where FSC stock is not available, we source from SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified mills as our baseline standard.
We do not carry commodity lumber from unknown or unverified supply chains. Knowing where your wood comes from is as important to us as knowing what species it is.
What We Carry
Our new lumber inventory covers the essential categories for residential and commercial construction, renovation, and finish carpentry.
Dimensional Lumber
Framing-grade and better studs, joists, rafters, and boards in standard sizes from 2x4 through 2x12, plus 4x4 and 6x6 posts. All stock is kiln-dried, stamped, and graded to meet building code requirements. Species include SPF (spruce-pine-fir), Douglas fir, and southern yellow pine.
Available sizes: 2x4 through 2x12, 4x4, 6x6 | Lengths 8' to 20'
Plywood & Sheet Goods
FSC-certified plywood in standard 4x8 sheets ranging from 1/4" through 3/4" thickness. We carry CDX sheathing, sanded cabinet-grade, marine-grade, and Baltic birch. All plywood is sourced from mills that use low-formaldehyde adhesives and practice sustainable harvest rotations.
Available sizes: 4'x8' sheets | 1/4" to 3/4" thickness
Engineered Wood Products
LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beams, I-joists, and glulam beams for structural applications where long spans and consistent performance are required. Engineered wood uses less raw material per unit of structural capacity than solid sawn lumber, making it an inherently efficient choice.
Available sizes: LVL: 1-3/4" x 7-1/4" to 18" | I-joists: 9-1/2" to 16" depth
Hardwood Boards
Sustainably sourced domestic hardwoods including red oak, white oak, poplar, maple, cherry, and walnut in S4S (surfaced four sides) boards and rough-sawn stock. Ideal for furniture, trim, cabinetry, and finish carpentry where new, uniform material is specified.
Available sizes: 4/4 through 8/4 thickness | Random widths and lengths
Pressure-Treated Lumber
Ground-contact and above-ground treated lumber for decks, fences, retaining walls, and outdoor structures. We stock MCA (micronized copper azole) treated pine, which is the current industry standard for residential applications. All treated stock meets AWPA use-category standards.
Available sizes: 2x4 through 2x12, 4x4, 6x6 | Lengths 8' to 16'
Cedar & Specialty Softwoods
Western red cedar for decking, fencing, siding, and outdoor furniture. Cedar is naturally rot- and insect-resistant without chemical treatment, making it an excellent sustainable choice for exterior applications. We also carry cypress and redwood on special order.
Available sizes: 1x4 through 1x8 boards, 5/4x6 decking, 4x4 posts
New vs. Reclaimed: When to Choose What
We believe in using the right material for the job. Here is an honest comparison to help you decide.
Choose Reclaimed When...
- You want unique character, patina, and history that cannot be replicated.
- The project calls for rare or extinct species like American chestnut or old-growth heart pine.
- LEED, Living Building Challenge, or other green building certifications require salvaged content.
- Aesthetic impact is a primary design driver (accent walls, mantels, exposed beams, furniture).
- You want the tightest possible grain and highest density in a softwood species.
- The budget allows for hand-selection and custom milling lead times.
Choose New When...
- Building codes require graded and stamped structural lumber (framing, load-bearing walls, trusses).
- The project needs uniform sheet goods like plywood, OSB, or MDF.
- Engineered products (LVL, I-joists, glulam) are specified for long spans or high-load applications.
- Ground-contact or below-grade use requires pressure-treated material.
- Tight timelines demand immediate, predictable availability with no milling lead time.
- The design calls for consistent, defect-free surfaces across a large installation.
Not sure which material is right? Ask our team — we are happy to consult on material selection at no charge.
FSC Certification: What It Means
The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, non-profit organization that sets the global standard for responsible forest management. FSC certification ensures that timber is harvested from forests managed to preserve biological diversity, benefit local communities, and sustain economically viable operations without depleting the resource.
When you buy FSC-certified lumber from Philadelphia Lumber Co., you get full chain-of-custody traceability from forest to your job site. This documentation is often required for LEED, WELL, and other green building certification programs.
Our Sustainability CommitmentThe Local Pricing Advantage
Big-box retailers price lumber for national averages and tack on significant overhead for retail floor space, marketing, and corporate margins. As a focused lumber yard operating from our own facility in North Philadelphia, we strip out those layers and pass the savings directly to you.
Our new lumber pricing is typically 10 to 20 percent below comparable big-box retail, and our team can provide per-project quotes that include volume discounts, delivery bundling, and material optimization to reduce waste. For contractors running multiple jobs, we offer standing account pricing with monthly invoicing.
Beyond sticker price, buying local means you can inspect material before purchase, hand-pick boards for critical applications, and get same-day availability on stock items without waiting for warehouse-to-store transfers.
Why Buy Local
Lower Prices
10-20% below typical big-box retail on comparable grades and species, with volume discounts for larger orders.
Hand Selection
Walk the yard and pick exactly the boards you want. No surprises when material arrives on site.
Expert Advice
Our staff includes experienced carpenters and woodworkers who can recommend species, grades, and treatments for your specific application.
Reduced Transport Emissions
Buying from a local yard means shorter delivery distances and lower carbon footprint per board foot compared to national supply chains.
Flexible Delivery
Same-week delivery across the Philadelphia metro. Flatbed, box truck, and LTL options for the broader tri-state area.
Contractor Accounts
Net-30 terms, standing pricing, job-site delivery scheduling, and dedicated account management for professional builders.
Blending Reclaimed & New? We Can Help.
Many of our best projects combine reclaimed feature materials with new structural framing. A heart pine accent wall backed by FSC-certified studs. Salvaged oak mantels on a glulam beam. We help architects and builders spec the right mix, source everything from one supplier, and coordinate delivery so both material types arrive together.
FSC Certification: A Deeper Look
The Forest Stewardship Council was established in 1993 in response to growing concerns about global deforestation and unsustainable logging practices. Today, FSC certification covers over 500 million acres of forest in 89 countries. The system operates on three pillars: forest management certification (ensuring the forest itself is managed responsibly), chain-of-custody certification (tracking timber from forest to end product), and controlled wood standards (preventing mixing with illegally harvested or high-conservation-value material).
Philadelphia Lumber Co. holds FSC chain-of-custody certification (COC), which means we can trace every FSC-labeled board in our inventory back through the supply chain to a certified forest. When you purchase FSC-certified lumber from us, you receive documentation that includes our COC certificate number, the species and volume purchased, and the FSC claim type (FSC 100%, FSC Mix, or FSC Recycled). This documentation is essential for LEED MR Credit: Sourcing of Raw Materials and for corporate ESG reporting.
What does FSC certification require of the forest?FSC-certified forests must maintain biodiversity, protect watersheds, prevent soil erosion, respect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and ensure that harvesting rates do not exceed the forest's capacity to regenerate. Independent third-party auditors visit certified forests annually to verify compliance. Any violation can result in suspension or revocation of certification.
How does FSC compare to SFI? The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is another widely recognized certification. While both systems promote responsible forestry, FSC standards are generally considered more rigorous — particularly regarding old-growth forest protection, pesticide use restrictions, and requirements for free, prior, and informed consent from affected communities. When FSC stock is available, we default to FSC. Where it is not, SFI serves as our minimum standard.
New Lumber Species Comparison
Choosing the right species depends on your application, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the most popular species in our new lumber inventory.
| Species | Janka Hardness | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | 1,290 lbf | Flooring, cabinetry, trim | $$ |
| White Oak | 1,360 lbf | Flooring, exterior, furniture | $$$ |
| Hard Maple | 1,450 lbf | Countertops, cutting boards, sports floors | $$$ |
| Cherry | 950 lbf | Fine furniture, cabinetry, paneling | $$$ |
| Walnut | 1,010 lbf | Furniture, accent pieces, gunstocks | $$$$ |
| Poplar | 540 lbf | Painted trim, shelving, utility framing | $ |
| Douglas Fir | 660 lbf | Structural framing, beams, posts | $$ |
| Western Red Cedar | 350 lbf | Decking, fencing, siding, outdoor furniture | $$ |
| SPF (Framing) | ~510 lbf | Wall framing, roof trusses, general construction | $ |
Five Scenarios Where New Lumber Is the Better Choice
1. Code-Mandated Structural Framing
Building codes require engineer-stamped, grade-marked lumber for load-bearing walls, floor joists, roof rafters, and trusses. Reclaimed lumber cannot carry a valid grade stamp because it has been modified by previous use. If your inspector needs to see an ALSC stamp, new lumber is the only compliant option. This includes all hidden framing in walls, floors, and ceilings.
2. Pressure-Treated Ground Contact
Any wood that contacts soil or is below grade must be pressure-treated to prevent rot and insect damage. Deck posts set in concrete, retaining wall timbers, sill plates on concrete foundations, and landscape edging all require treated material. Reclaimed wood cannot be pressure-treated after the fact in a way that meets AWPA standards for ground contact.
3. Large-Scale Uniform Installations
When a project requires thousands of square feet of identical material — same species, same grain pattern, same exact dimensions — new lumber from a single mill run is more practical. Reclaimed stock is inherently variable, and while that variability is a feature in many designs, it becomes a liability when uniformity is the goal.
4. Extremely Tight Timelines
New lumber is available on demand in standard dimensions. Reclaimed lumber often requires sourcing lead time, custom milling, and kiln drying that can add 1-3 weeks to your schedule. If you need 200 sheets of plywood tomorrow for a sheathing job, our new lumber inventory has you covered without delay.
5. Engineered Products for Long Spans
LVL beams, I-joists, and glulam products are engineered to provide consistent structural performance over spans that solid sawn lumber cannot match. A 24-foot clear span requiring an LVL beam has no practical reclaimed equivalent. Engineered wood products also use less raw material per unit of structural capacity, making them an efficient choice from a sustainability perspective.
Lumber Storage Best Practices
Proper storage is critical for maintaining the quality of both new and reclaimed lumber between delivery and installation. Wood is hygroscopic — it absorbs and releases moisture in response to its environment. Improper storage can undo the careful kiln drying and processing that makes your lumber installation-ready. Follow these guidelines to protect your investment.
Store flat and level. Stack lumber on a flat, level surface with stickers (spacer strips) between each layer to allow air circulation on all faces. Stickers should be aligned vertically at 24-inch intervals and made from dry, clean material. Misaligned stickers cause bowing and twisting. Weight the top of the stack uniformly to prevent warping.
Keep it dry and covered. For outdoor storage, protect lumber from rain and direct sunlight with a breathable tarp or covered structure. Do not seal the cover completely — trapped moisture promotes mold and mildew. For interior storage, maintain ambient conditions similar to the final installation environment (typically 30-50% relative humidity and 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit for interior applications).
Elevate off the ground. Never place lumber directly on a concrete floor or bare earth. Concrete wicks moisture from below, raising the MC of the bottom layers. Use 4x4 bearers or pallet blocks to elevate the stack at least 4 inches above the surface. In basements or garages with known moisture issues, use a vapor barrier under the bearers.
Acclimate before installation.Move lumber to the room where it will be installed at least 5-7 days before cutting or fastening. This allows the wood to reach equilibrium with the space's temperature and humidity. For flooring, the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) recommends that the flooring MC be within 2% of the subfloor MC before installation begins.