LUMBER
Wood you can build with, traced to the tree.
Purpose Lumber sells live edge and reclaimed hardwood slabs, dimensional stock, and milling and kiln services from a Chicago shop. Most of it is salvaged from the city. Every piece is priced on its own and traced from the tree it came from. Ships nationwide, pickup in Chicago.
The catalog
From live edge slabs to clean dimensional stock.
One of one slabs with the natural edge intact. Walnut, oak, maple, ash, and what the city gives us. Photographed from both faces, measured, and graded before it lists.
Wood with a past. Barn beams, salvaged hardwood, timbers pulled before the wrecking ball. Character you cannot fake and we will not pretend to.
Surfaced hardwood in usable sizes, ready to go. For when you need clean and consistent, not one of one.
Got your own log or rough stock? We mill, surface, and kiln dry to the moisture content your project needs. Tell us what you have.
In stock now
Each one is the only one.
One of one means we sell it once. Reserve holds it 48 hours while we confirm shipping or pickup.
Black Walnut
96 in L x 28 to 32 in W x 2.5 in thick
7% kiln dried
Bucktown, Chicago · Storm damage, spring 2024
White Oak
72 in L x 20 to 24 in W x 2 in thick
8% kiln dried
Avondale, Chicago · Removed for a foundation dig, fall 2023
Hard Maple
84 in L x 22 to 26 in W x 2.25 in thick
7% kiln dried
Lincoln Square, Chicago · End of life on a parkway, 2023
Phase 2: every slab gets its own product detail page at /lumber/[slab-id] with full Product + Offer schema.
The standard
Every slab carries its record.
Species, source, reason it came down, and kiln data. It travels with the wood and lives on the product page. That is the Purpose Wood standard.
Read the standardFAQ
Buying lumber, answered.
Do you ship slabs nationwide?
Yes. We crate and freight slabs to all 50 states. Because every slab is one of one, we reserve it first, then confirm a final shipping cost and send a photo of the exact piece packed before we charge in full. Local pickup is available in Chicago by appointment.
How is each slab priced?
Each slab is priced on its own, based on species, size, figure, and condition. There is no per board foot table because no two pieces are the same. The listed price is the price for that exact slab, with its provenance record attached.
Can you mill and dry my own log?
Yes. Send us what you have and we mill, surface, and kiln dry it to the moisture content your project needs, usually 6 to 9 percent for interior use. It is a popular service for trees that came down on a family property and need a second life.
Explore the lines
The rest of the shop.
Purpose Goods
Handmade cutting and serving boards, small home objects, and limited furniture. Released in scheduled drops. When a run sells out, it is gone.
See the current drop +→Purpose Furniture
Custom tables, seating, casegoods, and live-edge pieces. Built to ship nationwide or to live in your space for decades.
Start a piece +→Purpose Millwork
Built-ins, shelving, and architectural woodwork. Clear price ranges before you commit. Big installed builds hand off to Purpose Design + Build.
Start a project +→