Every barn yields a variety of different lumber. Most barns in Iowa used pine for the lumber, although some early barns used native trees like walnut and oak. Some of the most common products are:
Siding
Most barns are clad with 1"x12" planks nailed onto the beams. The exterior was usually painted red or white to extend the life of the wood, while the interior side remained unpainted. As the sun faded the layers of paint, it produced a wonderful patina. Even wood from the same barn will exhibit a range of coloring, since each side of the barn is subject to a different amount of weathering. Siding that was unpainted or rarely painted faded to rich gray color.
Because of its relatively uniform dimensions, there are many ways to use reclaimed siding. The unpainted side often has a fuzzy texture that works well in many applications. While the 12" siding is most common, we often have 6", 8" or 10" on hand.
Because of its relatively uniform dimensions, there are many ways to use reclaimed siding. The unpainted side often has a fuzzy texture that works well in many applications. While the 12" siding is most common, we often have 6", 8" or 10" on hand.
Brown Board
Often farmers would use additional planks in the interior of the barn, as loft flooring, kickboards or interior sheeting. Nicknamed "brown board" because it was never painted, this product exhibits none of the weathering of siding -- just the rich brown color of the wood itself. Usually rough-sawn, it's a great choice for a number of projects. Just like siding, brown board will usually be 1" thick, but may come in widths from 4" up to 18".
Beams
The post and beam "skeleton" of the barn was constructed using mortise and tenon joinery held together with wooden pegs. We have beams from 8"x10" down to 4"x4", with a range of lengths. Most beams will have mortising somewhere along the length of the beam in addition to the tenons on the ends. Our customers have used beams for home decor, mantels, and furniture. We have a limited supply of hand-hewn beams, showing the adz marks from construction.
Dimensional
The dimensional lumber in old barns bears little resemblance to the 2"x4" or 2"x6" that you would buy at home improvement stores. Salvaged mostly from the floor joists and rafters in barns, our dimensional lumber varies more in thickness, often meeting if not exceeding its nominal measurements. Showing off a much tighter grain than modern forestry products, our dimensional is available in 2x and 3x thickness, with widths from 4" up to 20". Depending on your needs, choose from rough-sawn, with its fuzzy texture and visible saw marks, or smooth.
Shiplap and Tongue-and-Groove
Shiplap and tongue-and-groove was used whenever a farmer wished to hold the weather out and the product in. Used mostly in corn cribs, grain bins and loft flooring, its interlocking joints made a more secure place to store each year's yield. Shiplap and T&G may be painted or unpainted, and comes in widths from 4" to 10". Our customers have used it to make beautiful flooring, furniture and paneling.
...And Everything Else
We save every part of the barn that is in good condition, so there is no end to the unique things we have available for your projects. In addition to many unusual wood products, we have:
- Tin roofing
- Pulleys and Trolleys
- Wooden Pegs
- Battens
- Steel Wheels
- Absolutely Everything Barn Related
Iowa Barn Boards
515.490.6659