Salvage building materials in Denver.

FIG. A.4Condition

What condition is salvaged material in?

Used, and honestly so. Assume nail holes, bolt holes, strap marks, drying checks and a patina nobody chose — that is the thing you are buying. What varies is how much work is already done for you, and that is worth knowing before you drive over:

• Hand-hewn barn beams arrive pre-sanded and ready to install. Mortise pockets and peg holes come with them.
• 1911 Union Station fir has charred faces and is not structurally rated. Buy it for what it looks like, not to hold a roof up.
• Cargo flooring comes three ways. Factory seconds were never installed — no bolt holes, clean face. The reclaimed oak and maple carry bolt holes and strap marks.
• Hard oak transit boards have a silver patina from years sitting out on the plains.
• Boxcar decking is 2.25in thick and sold by the whole board.
• Turf still has roughly 30% of its infill in it, and a roll weighs over 1,100 lbs. Flatbed or open trailer, no exceptions.
• Carpet tile is gently used office tile out of Denver commercial buildings, dozens of styles in stock at once.
• Live edge slabs and black walnut are kiln dried.

If you want to know how to tell genuine salvaged timber from new lumber that has been distressed to look old, that is set out in thebuyer's guide.