Reclaimed Pallet Wood

Every board tells a story. Our reclaimed pallet lumber carries the character of its industrial past—weathered grain, rustic patina, nail holes, and all—ready for its next life as furniture, wall art, garden beds, or whatever your imagination dreams up.

Request Reclaimed Wood

Let us know what type of boards you need, how much, and what you are building. We will put together the right selection for your project.

Why Reclaimed Pallet Wood?

Reclaimed pallet wood has become one of the most sought-after materials in the DIY and maker communities, and for good reason. It is affordable, environmentally friendly, and carries a unique aesthetic that no lumberyard board can replicate. The saw marks, weathering patterns, and natural aging of pallet wood give every project a one-of-a-kind character that connects your creation to a real industrial history.

At Pallets West Coast, we do not just sell scrap wood. We carefully disassemble pallets that have reached the end of their shipping lifecycle, sort the boards by species and condition, remove all nails and staples, and prepare the lumber for its next use. You get clean, ready-to-work boards rather than a pile of splintery wood with hidden fasteners.

Whether you are a professional furniture maker looking for character wood, a homeowner building an accent wall, or a weekend warrior tackling your first project, our reclaimed lumber is prepared with care and priced to make your project budget-friendly.

Sustainability at Its Best

Every board you buy is one less board in a landfill. Pallet wood reuse diverts thousands of tons of usable lumber from waste streams each year.

Reclaimed wood costs a fraction of what you would pay for new character-grade lumber at a specialty retailer. The rustic look is free.

No two boards are exactly alike. The patina, grain patterns, and knot placement create genuinely unique pieces that mass-produced materials cannot match.

Wood Species Available

Pallets are made from a surprisingly wide variety of wood species. The mix we have in stock changes with our incoming pallet supply, but these are the species you will most commonly find in our reclaimed lumber bins.

Douglas Fir

Softwood

Color: Light reddish-brown with orange tones

Character: Straight, even grain with occasional knots. Weathers to a beautiful silver-gray when left untreated outdoors.

Workability: Easy to cut, sand, and finish. Takes stain well. Moderate splitting resistance when nailed near edges.

Best For: Accent walls, shelving, picture frames, garden beds

Southern Yellow Pine

Softwood

Color: Pale yellow to warm amber

Character: Prominent grain lines with darker latewood bands. More texture and visual movement than fir.

Workability: Soft and easy to work but can be resinous. Sand thoroughly before finishing. Takes paint beautifully.

Best For: Tabletops, benches, planter boxes, wall paneling

Red Oak

Hardwood

Color: Light tan to pinkish-brown

Character: Strong, open grain with distinctive ray flecks in quartersawn pieces. Ages to a deeper warm tone over time.

Workability: Harder to cut and sand than softwoods but rewards the effort with exceptional durability. Pre-drill for nails.

Best For: Furniture, cutting boards, tool handles, heavy shelving

Hard Maple

Hardwood

Color: Creamy white to light tan

Character: Fine, closed grain with a naturally smooth surface. Reclaimed pieces may show incredible contrast from industrial use.

Workability: Dense and hard. Use sharp tools and slow feed rates. Finishes to a glass-smooth surface.

Best For: Cutting boards, butcher blocks, fine furniture, turned items

White Birch

Hardwood

Color: Pale white to cream

Character: Uniform, fine grain with subtle figure. The light color makes it a versatile canvas for staining or painting.

Workability: Machines well and takes finish evenly. Less prone to blotching than maple when stained.

Best For: Painted furniture, craft projects, light-colored accent pieces

Mixed Hardwoods

Variety

Color: Varies widely

Character: An assortment of hardwood species that create a patchwork effect when used together. The variation is the appeal.

Workability: Varies by species. Expect some boards to be harder than others in the same batch.

Best For: Mosaic walls, multi-tone tabletops, artistic installations

How We Prepare Reclaimed Wood

We do not just rip apart pallets and hand you the pieces. Our preparation process ensures you receive safe, clean, workable lumber that is ready for your project with minimal additional prep on your end. Here is what every board goes through before it reaches our reclaimed wood bins:

Disassembly: Pallets are carefully taken apart using pry bars and pneumatic tools to minimize board damage and splitting.

De-nailing: Every nail, staple, and fastener is pulled. We use a metal detector on boards destined for high-end projects to catch any embedded fragments.

Sorting: Boards are sorted by species, width, length, and condition. Cracked, excessively warped, or rotten boards are culled.

Cleaning: Dirt, debris, and surface grime are removed with wire brushing. Heavy stains are noted so you can choose boards that suit your aesthetic.

Optional Upgrades

Kiln Drying

We can kiln-dry your boards to reduce moisture content below 15%, kill any insects, and stabilize the wood for indoor furniture and finish applications. This is strongly recommended for any project that will be used indoors.

Planing & Surfacing

Want a smoother starting surface? We can run boards through our planer to remove the rough outer layer while preserving the character of the wood. One pass reveals the beautiful grain hiding under the weathered surface.

Dimensional Ripping

Need boards cut to a consistent width? We can rip reclaimed boards to your specified dimension on our table saw, giving you uniform stock for projects that require visual consistency.

Sanding

For the ultimate ready-to-finish experience, we offer belt sanding to 80 or 120 grit. You can start applying finish the same day you pick up your wood.

Check the Stamp

Only use pallets stamped with "HT" (heat treated) for projects that will contact food, skin, or be used indoors. Avoid any pallet stamped "MB" (methyl bromide treated) as this is a chemical treatment. All of the reclaimed wood we sell at Pallets West Coast is sourced from HT-stamped pallets.

Wear Protection

Pallet wood can be rough and splintery. Wear gloves when handling raw boards. Use a dust mask when sanding, especially with older wood that may have accumulated dust and particulates over its shipping life. Safety glasses are a must during cutting and nailing.

Check for Hidden Fasteners

Even after de-nailing, small staple fragments or broken nail tips can hide inside the wood. Run a strong magnet over boards before cutting, and check your blade frequently. A hidden nail can ruin a saw blade and potentially cause a dangerous kickback.

Seal Indoor Projects

Reclaimed wood can harbor dust and tiny wood particles. Seal all indoor projects with polyurethane, lacquer, or wax to encapsulate the surface and prevent shedding. This is especially important in bedrooms, kitchens, and nurseries.

Let Wood Acclimate

If your wood has been stored outdoors, bring it inside for at least a week before starting your project. This allows the moisture content to equalize with your indoor environment, reducing the risk of warping, cupping, or cracking after assembly.

How We Sell Reclaimed Wood

By the Board

Cherry-pick individual boards from our sorted bins. Ideal for small projects or when you need specific colors, species, or grain patterns. Browse and select at our Eugene yard.

Priced per board based on size and species

By the Bundle

Pre-sorted bundles of 20, 50, or 100 boards. We select a consistent mix for your project type. Tell us what you are building and we will curate an appropriate selection.

Bulk discounts on 50+ boards

By the Pallet Load

For large installations (accent walls, commercial decor, event builds). We load a full pallet of sorted, de-nailed boards ready for your project. Best value per board foot.

Best per-board pricing for maximum savings

Pallet Wood Treatment Safety Guide

Understanding how pallet wood was treated during its shipping life is critical for choosing safe boards for your project, especially for indoor furniture, food-contact items, and children's projects.

Treatment Type	Stamp Code	What It Means	Safe for Indoor Use?	Safe for Food Contact?	Safe for Gardens?
Heat Treated	HT	Wood was heated to 56 degrees C at core for 30+ minutes. No chemicals used. This is a physical process that kills pests through heat alone.	Yes - fully safe	Yes - no chemical residue	Yes - recommended for food gardens
Kiln Dried	KD	Wood was dried in a kiln to reduce moisture content below 19%. Often combined with heat treatment. Produces stable, workable lumber.	Yes - fully safe	Yes - no chemical residue	Yes - fully safe
Methyl Bromide	MB	Wood was fumigated with methyl bromide, a toxic chemical pesticide. Banned in many countries. No longer used for new pallets in most markets.	No - avoid	No - toxic residue possible	No - do not use near food plants
Dielectric Heating	DH	Wood was heated using microwave or radio frequency energy. Achieves the same pest-kill as HT but through electromagnetic heating. Rare but safe.	Yes - fully safe	Yes - no chemical residue	Yes - fully safe
Untreated / No Stamp	None	Pallet was used for domestic shipping only (no ISPM-15 requirement). No treatment of any kind was applied. Origin and history are unknown.	Use with caution	Not recommended	Acceptable for non-food plants
Pressure Treated (CCA/ACQ)	Various	Wood was pressure-treated with chemical preservatives for outdoor use. NOT standard for pallets. If you see green-tinted wood, it may be pressure treated.	No - chemical off-gassing	No - toxic chemicals	No - chemicals leach into soil

Our Commitment: HT-Only Reclaimed Wood

At Pallets West Coast, 100% of the reclaimed wood we sell comes from heat-treated (HT) pallets. We do not source, disassemble, or sell boards from methyl bromide treated pallets, pressure-treated lumber, or pallets of unknown origin. When you buy reclaimed wood from us, you can use it for any project—including indoor furniture, kitchen items, garden beds, and children's play structures—with complete confidence in the safety of the material.

Every board we sell has been visually inspected for the HT stamp on the original pallet before disassembly. We keep records of our pallet sourcing so we can verify the treatment history of any board in our inventory. If safety is your concern, you are buying from the right supplier.

Project Difficulty & Planning Matrix

Planning a reclaimed wood project? This matrix helps you understand the skill level, time investment, tools needed, and board quantity for the most popular builds.

Project	Skill Level	Time Estimate	Boards Needed	Key Tools Required	Estimated Cost (wood only)
Accent Wall (10x8 ft)	Beginner	4 - 8 hours	40 - 60 boards	Miter saw, nail gun, level, stud finder	$40 - $80
Floating Shelves (set of 3)	Beginner	2 - 3 hours	3 - 6 boards	Circular saw, sander, drill, brackets	$10 - $20
Picture Frames (set of 4)	Beginner	2 - 4 hours	4 - 8 boards	Miter saw, clamps, wood glue, sander	$8 - $15
Raised Garden Bed (4x8 ft)	Beginner	2 - 4 hours	12 - 20 boards	Circular saw, drill, exterior screws	$20 - $35
Coffee Table	Intermediate	8 - 16 hours	15 - 25 boards	Table saw, planer, clamps, sander, drill	$25 - $50
Farmhouse Dining Table	Intermediate	16 - 30 hours	30 - 50 boards	Table saw, planer, jointer, clamps, sander	$50 - $90
Headboard (queen size)	Intermediate	6 - 12 hours	20 - 35 boards	Miter saw, nail gun, sander, drill	$30 - $55
Wine Rack (wall-mounted)	Intermediate	4 - 8 hours	8 - 15 boards	Drill press or hole saw, router, sander	$15 - $30
Outdoor Adirondack Chair	Advanced	12 - 20 hours	20 - 30 boards	Jigsaw, router, drill, sander, clamps	$30 - $50
Full Patio Dining Set	Advanced	40 - 60 hours	80 - 120 boards	Full shop: table saw, planer, jointer, router, clamps	$100 - $180

Board counts assume standard 3.5" x 40" pallet deck boards. Costs are approximate based on our current pricing for sorted, de-nailed reclaimed boards. Hardware and finishing supplies not included.

Tool Requirements by Skill Level

You do not need a fully equipped woodshop to work with reclaimed pallet wood. Here is what you need at each skill level, from essential starter tools to advanced shop equipment.

Beginner$50 - $200 tool investment

Essential Starter Kit

Circular Saw: Your primary cutting tool. Can crosscut and rip boards. A 7-1/4" model handles all pallet board thicknesses.

Cordless Drill/Driver: For driving screws and drilling pilot holes. A must-have for any project. 18V or 20V recommended.

Random Orbit Sander: Smooths rough pallet surfaces efficiently. Start with 80-grit discs and finish with 120 or 150 grit.

Measuring Tape & Square: Accurate measurement is the foundation of every project. A speed square helps mark straight cut lines.

Safety Equipment: Safety glasses, ear protection, dust mask (N95 minimum), and work gloves. Non-negotiable.

Pry Bar & Hammer: For disassembling pallets if you buy whole pallets rather than pre-disassembled boards.

Intermediate$300 - $800 tool investment

Upgraded Workshop

Miter Saw (10" or 12"): Precise crosscuts and angle cuts. Essential for frames, trim, and any project requiring consistent length cuts.

Table Saw: Rip boards to consistent widths. Critical for tabletops, panel glue-ups, and projects needing uniform board dimensions.

Thickness Planer: The game-changer for reclaimed wood. One pass through a planer reveals beautiful hidden grain and creates a flat, consistent surface.

Bar Clamps (24" and 48"): Essential for glue-ups when laminating boards into tabletops, panels, or thick blanks. Buy at least 4 of each size.

Router (handheld): Rounds edges, cuts decorative profiles, and creates grooves and rabbets. Transforms rough boards into refined furniture parts.

Nail Gun (18-gauge brad): Fast, clean fastening for trim, accent walls, and light assembly. Much faster than hammer and nails with less splitting risk.

Advanced$1,000+ tool investment

Full Woodworking Shop

Jointer (6" or 8"): Flattens one face and straightens one edge of a board. Combined with a planer, produces perfectly dimensioned lumber from rough reclaimed stock.

Bandsaw (14"): Resaws thick boards into thinner stock, cuts curves, and handles irregular shapes that a table saw cannot. Invaluable for maximizing reclaimed lumber yield.

Drill Press: Precision boring for dowel joints, shelf pin holes, and consistent hole placement. Produces cleaner, more accurate holes than handheld drilling.

Router Table: Converts your handheld router into a stationary shaping station. Safer and more precise for repetitive edge profiling and joinery operations.

Metal Detector (handheld): The ultimate insurance policy for reclaimed wood. Scans boards for hidden nails, staples, and metal fragments before they hit your expensive saw blades.

Drum Sander or Wide-Belt Sander: For high-volume sanding of panels and tabletops. Produces glass-smooth, consistent surfaces that would take hours by hand.

Finishing Techniques for Reclaimed Pallet Wood

The right finish protects your project and enhances the natural character of reclaimed wood. Here is a comprehensive guide to the most popular finishing techniques, from raw natural to high-gloss lacquer.

Natural / Unfinished

Leave the wood completely raw to preserve its weathered character. The rough texture, patina, and nail holes remain fully visible. Best for decorative wall installations where the rustic aesthetic is the entire point.

Pros

+ Maximum rustic character
+ Zero cost and effort
+ Easy to touch up later

Cons

- No moisture protection
- Surface sheds dust and splinters
- Stains easily

Best For: Accent walls, outdoor decor, non-contact decorative pieces

Danish Oil / Tung Oil

Penetrating oil finishes soak into the wood fibers rather than sitting on top. They enhance the grain and color without creating a plastic-like surface film. Apply with a rag, let soak, and wipe off excess. Two to three coats over 24 to 48 hours.

Pros

+ Enhances natural grain beautifully
+ Easy to apply (wipe-on)
+ Repairable without stripping

Cons

- Minimal surface protection
- Needs reapplication yearly for heavy-use items
- Slow cure time

Best For: Shelves, picture frames, decorative bowls, light-use furniture

Polyurethane (Oil-Based)

The workhorse protective finish. Oil-based polyurethane creates a hard, durable film that resists scratches, moisture, and chemical spills. Apply with brush or spray in 2 to 3 coats, sanding lightly between coats with 220-grit.

Pros

+ Excellent durability and protection
+ Water and chemical resistant
+ Adds warm amber tone to wood

Cons

- Shows brush strokes if not careful
- Strong odor during application
- Yellows slightly over years

Best For: Dining tables, coffee tables, kitchen shelving, high-use surfaces

Polyurethane (Water-Based)

Same durability as oil-based with faster dry time and lower odor. Dries crystal clear without the amber warmth of oil-based poly. Better for light-colored woods where you want to preserve the natural tone.

Pros

+ Fast dry time (2 hours between coats)
+ Low odor, low VOC
+ Crystal clear finish

Cons

- Can raise wood grain (requires sanding)
- Less warmth than oil-based
- Multiple coats needed

Best For: Indoor furniture, kitchen items, children-safe projects, lighter woods

Wax (Paste or Liquid)

Wax creates a soft, satiny sheen with a pleasant feel. Beeswax and carnauba wax are the most popular options for furniture. Apply thin coats with a cloth, let haze, then buff to a soft luster. Reapply every 6 to 12 months.

Pros

+ Beautiful soft sheen
+ Pleasant tactile quality
+ Food-safe options available

Cons

- Low durability (scratches easily)
- No moisture protection
- Requires regular maintenance

Best For: Decorative pieces, antique-look furniture, frames, boxes, turnings

Stain + Topcoat

Apply a wood stain to change the color, then seal with a topcoat (polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish) for protection. With reclaimed wood, use a pre-stain conditioner on softwoods to prevent blotching. Test stain color on a scrap piece first.

Pros

+ Complete color control
+ Can match existing furniture
+ Full protection when topcoated

Cons

- More steps and time
- Blotching risk on softwoods
- Hides some natural character

Best For: Furniture sets, matching existing decor, commercial installations

Pro Tips for Finishing Reclaimed Wood

Always sand before finishing

Even if you love the rough texture, a light sanding (80-grit) removes loose fibers and splinters that will interfere with finish adhesion. Skip sanding only for raw decorative wall boards that will never be touched.

Test finishes on scrap first

Reclaimed wood absorbs finish unevenly due to varying density, age, and exposure history. Always test your chosen finish on a scrap piece from the same batch before committing to your finished project.

Use pre-stain conditioner on softwoods

Pine and fir absorb stain unevenly, creating blotchy results. A pre-stain conditioner partially seals the surface to equalize absorption. Apply 15 minutes before staining.

Consider the end environment

Outdoor projects need exterior-rated finishes (spar urethane, marine varnish, or exterior oil). Indoor projects in kitchens and bathrooms need moisture-resistant finishes. Dry indoor areas can use any finish type.

Seal end grain

End grain absorbs finish 10 to 15 times faster than face grain, resulting in darker blotchy ends. Apply a thin coat of shellac or sanding sealer to end grain before staining to control absorption.

For food-safe projects

Cutting boards, serving trays, and anything that contacts food should use food-safe finishes only: mineral oil, walnut oil, beeswax, or finishes specifically labeled as food-safe. Polyurethane is food-safe only after fully curing (30+ days).

Reclaimed Wood FAQ

Is pallet wood safe for indoor furniture?

Yes, provided it comes from heat-treated (HT) pallets, which is the only type we sell. HT pallet wood has been heated to kill pests using only heat—no chemicals are involved. Once sanded and sealed with an appropriate finish (polyurethane, oil, wax, or lacquer), HT pallet wood is fully safe for indoor furniture, wall installations, shelving, and decorative items.

Can I use reclaimed pallet wood for a cutting board?

You can use hardwood pallet boards (oak, maple, birch) for cutting boards, but only from HT-treated pallets. We recommend kiln-drying the wood first, planing to uniform thickness, and finishing with food-safe mineral oil. Avoid softwoods (pine, fir) for cutting boards as they are too soft and porous for food-contact cutting surfaces.

How do I tell what species a pallet board is?

Look at the end grain: softwoods have visible growth rings with alternating light and dark bands. Hardwoods have a denser, more uniform end grain with visible pores. Color is another clue: pine is pale yellow, fir is reddish-brown, oak is tan with open grain, maple is cream-white. When in doubt, ask us—we sort our reclaimed wood by species so you can buy exactly what you need.

Do reclaimed boards come straight and flat?

Most reclaimed boards have some degree of warping, cupping, or twist—this is normal for wood that has been exposed to weather and loading cycles. Minor warping can be corrected with a planer or by clamping during glue-ups. Our optional planing service can flatten boards before you pick them up. For projects that demand perfectly flat stock, request our planed and kiln-dried option.

What dimensions do reclaimed pallet boards come in?

Standard pallet deck boards are typically 3.5 inches wide, 5/8 to 3/4 inch thick, and 40 or 48 inches long. Stringer boards are typically 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches by 48 inches. We occasionally have wider boards (5.5 inches) and longer stock from oversized pallets. Let us know your dimension needs and we will pull boards that match.

Can I order a specific color or patina of reclaimed wood?

Yes. When you visit our yard, you can hand-pick boards to get exactly the look you want—dark and weathered, light and clean, or a mix. For phone and online orders, tell us your aesthetic preference and we will curate a selection. Keep in mind that sanding or planing will remove the surface patina and reveal the lighter wood underneath.

Ready to Start Your Project?

Come visit our reclaimed wood bins at 1875 W 6th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402. Browse boards in person, pick your favorites, and head home inspired. Or call us at (541) 396-8883 to discuss your project and we will set aside the perfect selection.

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