I'm based in the northern Rockies of the rural US, and most local lumber yards offer mainly construction-grade lumber, like white and yellow pine. The only hardwood I've stumbled upon is the occasional oak fence post, which is often pressure-treated or chemically treated. As a beginner, I'm looking to source hardwoods like walnut, ash, or untreated oak. My nearest major lumber store is Lowe's, about a three-hour drive away. Will they have harder woods? Should I consider ordering online instead?
4 Answers
You might want to check out Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace! You could find local woodworkers selling hardwoods that are closer to you. Also, while I'm not entirely sure about Lowe's, Home Depot generally has a small selection of hardwood lumber. If you can't find what you need locally, ordering online could be the way to go.
You might want to look for a dedicated hardwood dealer nearby. Also, reaching out to local cabinet shops could be helpful; they might share their suppliers or even sell you some lumber!
Lowe's does stock some maple, oak, and poplar, but be warned—their prices can be quite steep! I've had good luck ordering hardwood from lumber yards and having it shipped via UPS freight. The prices were competitive, and I also found some local sources.
Have you tried asking your local lumber yards if they can special order for you? Mine mainly carries construction lumber but is willing to get hardwoods if I request them.