ChatGPT & AI in
Procurement Course
Free Preview Lesson
Written by Marijn Overvest | Reviewed by Sjoerd Goedhart | Fact Checked by Ruud Emonds | Our editorial policy
9 Best US Lumber Suppliers — Everything You Need To Know
The US based Forest Economic Advisors, LLC (FEA) predicted a 16% US housing drop in 2023. Mortgage rates and its rising interest are the top players in the slow housing economic return in 2023.
Additionally, the frequent spring and summer wildfires in the US and Canada are recurring problems to deal with. This will eventually cause a negative impact in the lumber industry as the supply chain is plenty while the demand is below average.
However, the increasing population of adults buying prime homes and the aging house stock are the driving force of the rebounding of the lumber industry.
Furthermore, pandemic home buyers are expected to stay in their homes rather than move and buy expensive houses to keep their low mortgage rates. Thus, this projects a promising lumber trade in 2024.
Lumber Suppliers:4 Key Considerations for Quality and Reliability
When it comes to sourcing lumber for construction, woodworking, or DIY projects, selecting the right supplier is crucial. With numerous options available, it’s important to make informed decisions that ensure the quality and reliability of your lumber. Here are four key considerations:
1. Quality and Consistency
One of the most important factors in selecting a lumber supplier is the quality and consistency of their products. It’s essential to look for suppliers who source their lumber from reputable mills and forests known for sustainable practices. Insist on knowing the grade and species of the lumber they offer to ensure it meets your project requirements.
Furthermore, a reliable supplier will have consistent quality standards such as delivering lumber that is free from defects, warping, or excessive knots. By prioritizing quality, you ensure the durability and longevity of your projects.
2. Responsiveness and Communication
Effective communication is essential in any business relationship. When evaluating lumber suppliers, pay attention to their responsiveness and willingness to address your questions or concerns promptly.
A supplier who values open communication definitely understands your needs, offers expert advice, and provides accurate information regarding product availability, delivery times, and pricing.
Thus, it can save your valuable time and avoid potential project delays.
3. Sustainable and Ethical Practices
As environmental concerns grow, it is important to prioritize suppliers who practice sustainability sourcing.
Look for suppliers who source lumber from responsibly managed forests, preferably certified by recognized organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Additionally, responsible sourcing ensures that the lumber is harvested legally, promotes reforestation, and minimizes the ecological impact.
4. Competitive Pricing and Delivery Options
While quality and sustainability are the top considerations nowadays, it’s also important to consider pricing and delivery options. Request quotes from multiple suppliers to compare prices but remember that the cheapest option may not always be the best.
Moreover, inquire about delivery options and timelines, as timely delivery is crucial to keeping your projects on track. A supplier who offers competitive pricing and flexible delivery options can help you optimize your budget and meet project deadlines.
Choosing the right lumber supplier can make a significant difference in the success of your construction or woodworking projects. Prioritize quality, consistency, sustainability, and responsive communication when evaluating suppliers.
Thus, it ensures a reliable source of lumber that meets your project requirements while also supporting environmentally responsible practices.
Top 4 Wood Treesfor Quality Lumber
Now that you have an idea how to source reliable wood suppliers, it’s time to know the best type of wood trees that make quality lumber. Whether you’re a woodworker, carpenter, or a DIY’er, knowing and choosing the right wood for your project is important. Here are the best types of wood trees which make high-quality lumber:
1. Oak
Known for its strength, durability, and elegance, it is no wonder that oak tops as the prime choice for lumber.
This wood tree is ideal for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and even outdoor structures. Furthermore, oak lumber is resistant to rot and insect damage, ensuring longevity and reliability.
2. Walnut
Walnut comes with beauty and versatility because of its rich, dark brown color with some shade of lighter tones.
Most woodworkers favor this type of lumber due to its workability and stability. If you have a heart for classic and earthy style, this is good for high-end furniture, decorative accents, and musical instruments.
3. Maple
Maple’s high-durability and excellent resistance to wear and tear makes it suitable for flooring, cabinets, and kitchen utensils. Additionally, its light and creamy color projects freshness inside the house.
4. Mahogany
Mahogany’s dense and straight-grained wood makes it the preferred choice for furniture, cabinetry, and boat building. Moreover, its reddish-brown color which deepens into an attractive patina makes this wood tree age gracefully.
Each wood species has unique characteristics that make them suitable for different types of projects. Widen your options. Explore other wood types which might fit into your next project.
9 Best USLumber Suppliers
1. Curtis Lumber and Plywood
This independently owned company from Springfield, Virginia exclusively wholesales lumber to leading retail lumber dealers across the mid-Atlantic region such as Delaware, Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and West Virginia.
Additionally, Curtis Lumber and Plywood promotes Green Building products to ensure environment safety and energy efficiency in commercial and house construction. Their top treated products are Fire-Retardant Treated Products and Copper Azole (CA) Treated Lumber. These are their top sellers:
- 3/4″x4x8 Fire Retardant Plywood priced at $75.99
- 3/4″x4x8 CDX Plywood priced at $30.29
- 1/2″x4x8 AC Plywood priced at $44.79
Customer Reviews
‘Their entire staff is not only experts at what they do, they carry a human component of compassion and integrity in everything they do.’ – John Greenhaw
‘Recently our local elementary school needed some wood for the school. I went in to get some pricing to begin getting donations and as soon as I mentioned it was for the school Amy Curtis went ahead and donated the wood to the school on the spot.’ – Daniel Garcia
‘Great people here. Thank you Amy for everything.’ – Brian Beaver
2. L.L. Johnson Lumber MFG. CO. & Johnsons Workbench
This Thomas verified and NHLA ( The National Hardwood Lumber Association ) certified company from Charlotte Michigan has over 110 years of experience in the woodworking industry. They offer Butcher Block Countertops ( from Maple, Cherry, and Walnut woods ) and Super-Sized Custom Panels. The top products are:
- 6’x8′ Dogear Picket Fence Pane Pressure Treated priced at $65.00
- 4′ x 50′ Wooden Snow Fence priced at $59.99
- BBP8 1/8″ x5x5 Baltic Birch priced at $39.95
Customer Reviews
‘The customer service was great here. It was our first time in this business and they were patient and made sure we got everything we needed. We definitely will be back in the future!’ – Danielle Camillien
‘I like the accuracy of the wood grading. When you pay for a specific grade, you get that grade, not just the top board on the pallet.’ – John Alger
‘Great service and wonderful products.’ – Chris Wright
3. Addison Building Materials
http://www.addisonbuilding.com/
This one stop shop for DIY enthusiasts and family owned and operated business from Arlington Heights, Illinois distributes a wide range of commercial, industrial, and building materials and tools such as lumber, plumbing, hardware, janitorial, electrical, masonry, paint, and rental equipment. Their local customers commend their great lumber quality and hardware tools. Check their top customer’s picks:
- Plywood, 3mm x 4 x 12 Inch priced at $1.49
- 1/8″ x 36″ Round Hardwood Dowel priced at $1.39
- 1x12x12′ Clear Select Pine priced at $90.95
Customer Reviews
‘Loved it!! Everyone is so friendly and helpful with all of my DIY needs. The prices are unbeatable compared to other similar stores. I only wish I lived closer than 20 miles from the nearest Lowe’s, lol. They are also very dog friendly!!’ – Clifford Hurst
‘Best hardware store around. I missed the free popcorn since covid. They have everything in a very knowledgeable staff that’s very helpful. A little overpriced but I think you’re paying for the service.’ – James Cruz
‘Always have what I need… knowledgeable, friendly people!’ – Kevin York
4. Hillside Lumber Inc.
Another family owned business from Hillside, Illinois. Hillside Lumber inc. serves Greater Chicagoland Area’s contractors, builders, and developers.
Additionally, the company partners with 20 manufacturers, craftsmans, and suppliers across the country so you can get enough of their quality products. For personal experience, it has a showroom in its main office where you can find displays and samples from some of their leading window, door, hardware, and millwork manufacturers. Furthermore, it offers free estimates on the materials you need, just drop your email at [email protected]. You might find something suitable to your nest project with these top finds:
- 2x12x14′ SPF OR FIR priced at $33.49
- 4x4x8′ SYP Un-treated priced at $12.95
- 12′ TREX Rocky Harbor Grooved Deck Board priced at $31.19
Customer Reviews
I recently had the pleasure of working with this business that sells building materials, and I must say I was thoroughly impressed with their products and customer service. The wide range of products they offer, from lumber to millwork, made it easy for me to find everything I needed for my construction project. The staff were knowledgeable and helpful, providing great advice and recommendations.’ – Krystian Naja
‘The team as Hillside lumber is outstanding! As a local builder I depend on quality and accuracy every time. Hillside delivers that and more, going above and beyond for us.
Highly recommend.’ – Chris Fraro
‘Hillside Lumber Inc. It is a leading company in this field, and it is the Warehouse that all Construction Companies prefer, highly recommended.’ – Lionel Vilchez
5. Hardwoods – Chicago
For more than 60 years, Hardwoods – Chicago has been providing materials that inspire across North America.
This store from Bedford park, Illinois takes pride in its world-class products such as architectural grade plywood, veneers, domestic and imported hardwood lumber, TFL, HPL, synthetics, and composites. Additionally, the company incorporates ESG ( Environmental, Social, and Governance ) guidelines in their line of products. Furthermore, your lumber needs is one tap away with its shopping website, hardwoods.online. These are its top products:
- Plywood Rip Cut priced at $6.00
- Composite Decking Cross Cut priced at $3.00
- Dimensional Rip Cut priced at $2.00
Customer Reviews
‘Staff was nice, they got me unloaded within an hour of my arrival time.’ – Corey Dennis
‘Good company! Delivery fast!’ – Vitalie Mandalac
“Really nice people, LUMBER delivery takes about 45 minutes!’ – Shurinder Singh Boparai
RELATED COURSES
Negotiation Course for Procurement
Learn from industry experts who negotiated billion $ deals
Procurement Strategy Course
Take the lead with our proven 5-step procurement strategy
Sustainable Procurement Course
Maintain profitability while moving toward sustainability
ChatGPT & AI in Procurement Course
Unleash the power of ChatGPT & AI within procurement
Junior Procurement Management Course
Learn how to execute the perfect procurement process
Mini-MBA for Procurement Managers
Enhance your expertise to make valuable strategic contributions
6. Chicago Suburban Lumber Sales
https://www.chicagosuburbanlumber.com/index.html
Joe Romano Sr. founded Chicago Suburban Lumber Sales in Forest Park, Illinois in 1946 and now it is managed by the third-generation Romano family.
Chicago Suburban Lumber Sales has over 100 finest California Redwood lumber stocks which are good for historical restoration, architectural millwork, and construction grade lumber for decks, gazebos, three season porches, and fences. Your home renovation and makeover might suit with these top customer picks:
- Engineered Red Oak Flooring – Natural priced at $69.99
- 1/4″x4x8 Red Oak Plywood G1S #R2 priced at $48.79
- 1/8″x4x8 Red Oak Plywood G1S priced at $25.50
Customer Reviews
‘The team is extremely helpful, not a retail location, wholesale only, but you couldn’t ask for a better partner. Redwood is stored indoors which makes it very stable, straight, and of high quality.’ – Stu Schwadron
‘Good local place for hardware needs. Helpful staff, always available with never much of a wait. Good people.’ – Joel Doyle
‘Staff make good recommendations on redwoods. Will be back.! ‘ – Valentin H.
7. McGuire-Western Lumber Company
https://www.lumberchicago.com/
This company from Chicago, Illinois specializes in lumber, mouldings, hardware, interior and exterior doors, and plywood and sheet goods. Its top trusted vendors are BlueLinx, Boise Cascade, Culpeper Wood Preservatives and Universal Forest Products.
For 51 years of innovating their products according to customer’s needs and trends, Mc Guire-Western Lumber Co. ensures that what they offer exceeds industry standards at reasonable prices. You’ll always have more with these old but gold wood treats! The top products are:
- M1 3/4″x4x8 Mahogany Plywood G2S priced at $79.95
- 5/8″x4x8 Treated Plywood priced at $54.95
- 1x4x16′ MDF Board priced at $15.49
Customer Reviews
‘These guys helped me out with a piece of MDF board that none of the big box hardware/lumber stores carried, and it was much quicker to get in and out. Very helpful service and good prices!’ – Kathryn H.
‘This is an old-fashioned lumber mill and yard like they don’t make anymore. It’s like walking into a time warp but in a really GOOD way!
Cuz man-o-man do they know their wood! You can get anything that exists on the planet here, wood-wise, and answers to every question you can conjure up.
The store makes the rest of the place seem space age but they, once again, have always had anything I’ve asked for!
I love this place and you will too!’ – Dan H.
‘Great lumber yard with good prices (often less than the big box store) affordable delivery or they’ll help you load into your car or truck. Jerry and Rick will take care of you behind the counter or over the phone.’ – Jason Shintani
8. Kennison Forest Products, Inc.
https://www.kennisonforest.com/
If you are looking for reliable scaffold planks, look more as Kennison Forest Products, Inc. provides the finest scaffold planks at competitive prices. This company from Sulphur, Louisiana is the trusted scaffold provider to scaffolding companies and contractors.
Additionally, apart from scaffolding services, its product also serves construction, general scaffolding, masonry contractors, tank builders, and plastering and stucco contractors. You can rely its APA ( American Plywood Association – The Engineered Wood Association ) top certified products:
- 2x10x12′ Rod and Clip Scaffold priced at $41.89
- 2x10x8′ Rod and Clip Scaffold priced at $26.79
- Armstrong Homestyle 480 Country Classic White 6″x48″ Plank Ceiling Tile priced at $65.29
Customer Reviews
‘Great experience with this company. I worked with Joe to fulfill the order and he was very patient and willing to help our company execute our needs. Thanks for your help!’ – Brice Reed
‘Works great and matches our fixtures!’ – Redline Revver
‘Solid and great products. Great fine!’ – Thomas Weir
9. Hancock Lumber
https://www.hancocklumber.com/
From Casco, Maine, this company has almost 20 stores across the state including their 2 Kitchen Design Showrooms. For 175 years, it has been providing intricate Hancock lumber designs to its loyal customers and was a multi-year awardee of the ‘Best Places to Work in Maine’.
Furthermore, the company streamlines its services to distance customers through their online shopping website ( https://shop.hancocklumber.com/ ). You can start with these products:
- 2x6x8′ SPF priced at $6.95
- 1x8x8′ Primed Pine priced at $25.57
- 12′ PVC Porch Floor Primed Board priced at $33.49
Customer Reviews
‘I like the fact that they answered my questions and were helpful. I had to go back and forth with them on a few things and they were very receptive to that. I would use them again in the future and would recommend them to others.’ – Paul S.
‘I contacted Hancock Lumber for an estimate for 2 new garage doors with remotes. I sat down with a consultant named Neil and he contacted their supplier and gave me a price quote. I found the price very reasonable, so I gave them a check for the full amount and within a week, they called me for a time it was convenient to install them. They hired an independent contractor, a young guy from Lewiston, who came with his dog (very sweet golden retriever)and spent the day installing both doors with remotes. The doors look wonderful, they function properly and the quality is good. The price was very reasonable including installation and he cleaned up after the work was done and got rid of my old doors for me. I had previously called a local company for an estimate for almost the same thing and they were several hundred dollars more expensive.’ – Jennifer B.
‘Knowledgeable staff who truly want to assist the pro builder get what they need and keep moving. Excellent communicators with very good delivery drivers. Glad we switched to Hancock!’ – Todd Erickson
Negotiation Course For Procurement Professionals
You'll get a certificate after completing the course
Rated 9.2/10 ★★★★★
