About Pioneer Millworks
PIONEER MILLWORKS - FAQ
How does Pioneer Millworks source its wood?
Our reclaimed wood is salvaged from a variety of sources, primarily barns and industrial buildings that have reached the end of their lifecycle and are being demolished. We also work with materials salvaged from other sources such as water tanks, fences, wine vats, and shipping crates.
Our fresh sawn wood is responsibly sourced from FSC® Certified Forests as well as other sustainably harvested sources. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Are your show rooms open to the public?
Our Farmington, NY and McMinnville, OR showrooms are open to the public and offer homeowners and industry professionals the opportunity see our products in person. If you are planning to stop by, please make an appointment with our sales team. Chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
What region(s) can you ship to?
Pioneer Millworks ships worldwide.
What wood species do you have available on a regular basis?
Reclaimed wood:
- Oak
- Ash
- Elm
- Hickory
- Indonesian Teak
- Heart Pine
- Douglas fir
Fresh sawn:
- Accoya®
- White Oak
- Larch
- Douglas fir
- Ash
- Walnut
Occasionally we carry other species in small batches on a limited basis. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
What is your widest available flooring?
We mill up to a 9" face width, though special orders can be taken for floors as wide as our available stock allows.
How do we know reclaimed wood is safe?
Pioneer Millworks takes exceptional caution to avoid bringing in material that is contaminated with oil, creosote, lead paint and any other substance that might be hazardous to our employees and you the end user. We have thirty years of experience discerning wood that can be safely salvaged from that which can’t, and our production process continually monitors material quantity from the sawing of raw timber to the final milling.
Why is wood eco-friendly?
Wood is a naturally renewable resource and grows in forests around the world in a vast variety of species. When forests are managed properly (such as Forest Steward Council Certified and other standards) wood can be sustainably harvested for generations.
Trees remove carbon from the environment, locking it in away in their fibers which is called carbon sequestration. That carbon is trapped within the wood fiber for the duration of its lifecycle which makes wood a carbon neutral building material.
Reclaimed wood is recycled, can be LEED point eligible, and has an extended LCA (Life Cycle Assessment). For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
What are your terms and conditions?
Our full terms and conditions can be found here. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
What is your ACH Funds Transfer/Wire Transfer information?
Please click here to email us, and we’ll be happy to send you our wire/ACH info.
Who should I make my check payable to and where should I send it?
Please make check payable to: Pioneer Millworks, Inc. 1180 Commercial Drive Farmington, NY 14425
For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Finishes
Are your flooring products available pre-finished?
Yes, our finish options include UV cured hard wax oil, water-based poly, fire-retardants, custom stains & sealers, and Shou Sugi Ban burning. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Do you recommend different finishes for different floors?
The choice of finish that is recommended by our team is based on factors like the type of flooring, species, environmental considerations/intended use, and the desired final appearance of the wood. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Does your Shou Sugi Ban finish require special maintenance?
For exterior applications Shou Sugi Ban will naturally change over time. Usually this involves a gradual fading, and some flaking of the char. Regular maintenance and touch ups can help minimize the change. Please see our Shou Sugi Ban Mini Maintenance Guide for more information.
What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) are organic chemical compounds which evaporate quickly from finishes, adhesives, solvents, etc. often emitting toxic smelling odors. Low-VOC finishes, such as hard wax oil and water-based polyurethanes, are the best options to reduce VOC's indoors.
What treatments does Pioneer Millworks offer to get a Class A, non-combustible finish (ASTM E-84)?
The primary treatment we use is applied in-house at our mills and penetrates the surface which results in a finish that has a class A rating. In most cases, this will darken the wood slightly, but it doesn't sit on top of the wood enough to produce a noticeable sheen. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Also see: https://natfire.com/product/flamex-pf-2-fire-retardant-for-exterior-wood/
FSC®, LEED, SFI and CARB
What does FSC® mean?
FSC® is an acronym for the Forest Stewardship Council®. This is an independent, not-for-profit organization which was established to promote responsible forest management.
Are your products FSC®-certified?
All of our reclaimed wood products (including our engineered wood flooring) are FSC®-certified (FSC®-C109137). Pioneer Millworks was one of the very first companies to become FSC® Certified for Recycled Wood in 2007.
Most of our fresh sawn options are also available as FSC® certified.
What does LEED mean?
LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED was created by the United States Green Building Council. It is a program for establishing standards for environmentally sound construction. Meeting certain specific criteria, different levels of LEED certification are awarded.
Are your products LEED point eligible?
Pioneer Millworks products are LEED points/credits eligible that vary based on a variety of criteria. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email
Engineered vs. Solid Flooring
When should I use engineered flooring?
Engineered flooring can be used in any dry, climate-controlled space. It is the preferred option for installation below grade or over radiant /hydronic heating systems, and for projects where the space will be subject to wide variations in humidity and temperature.
How are solid and engineered flooring different?
Solid floors are a full 3/4" thick, and milled to the width you specify, at the longest lengths possible. Solid floors are best suited to above-grade installations where the flooring is blind-nailed, or face nailed into the subfloor. Engineered floors are 5/8" thick overall, with a 3/16" "wear layer" of wood and random lengths up to 8’. Engineered floors may be installed above grade by blind-nailing over plywood subfloors or direct-gluing to concrete, plywood, or other suitable subfloors whether above, at, or below grade. While solid woods can sometimes be used in the same applications above grade including direct-glue installations, when properly installed our engineered flooring is a more stable option, and it helps to increase the available yields from limited species. Consult with our team to find the best option for your project.
What is your substrate made of?
FSC®-Certified CARB2 and TOSCA compliant Baltic Birch in a 12mm (9 ply) thickness.
or
FSC®-Certified CARB2 and TOSCA compliant Eucalyptus in a 12mm (7 ply) thickness.
Both options have been 3rd party tested for (and passed) VOC’s and integrity.
What is the difference between gluing, nailing, or floating a floor?
Engineered flooring is most often installed by blind-nailing to a plywood subfloor or direct-gluing to concrete, plywood or other suitable subfloor materials. Direct-glue wood flooring adhesives are designed to allow the floor to expand & contract naturally. Solid flooring is typically nailed or stapled through the tongue, or nailed through the face on wider planks, into the subfloor below. In some applications, certain solid wood flooring products may also be direct glued to the subfloor above grade. While engineered wood flooring can be floated (edge-gluing the planks together using wood glue, clamps, and straps) we recommend nailing or direct-gluing the floor whenever possible to ensure a smooth and long-lasting installation. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Shipping
General Shipping Information
The majority of our products ship with a common carrier to save on fuel costs and emissions. Pioneer Millworks will forward you the shipping contact and tracking information once your order is in transit. The material arrives at a local dispatch terminal and then is scheduled out for delivery to your site. Your order will be delivered in a full-size (53’ – most times carriers will use 40-53’ van trailers) tractor trailer van unless otherwise specified, or for certain situations (e.g., tight urban streets or some residential sites). All the carriers we use are highly rated for reliable deliveries, sustainability, and customer service. Additional delivery services may be available, please contact the shipping coordinator for pricing and availability. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Am I able to use a lift gate truck?
If you will need a lift gate to remove the material from the truck, please inform Pioneer Millworks when the proposal is being signed. Orders must be cut and packaged to 8ft lengths or less in order to fit on a lift gate. The work order that goes to our shop needs to reflect this length limit so that longer boards can be cut to fit the dimensions. If you need material that is longer than 8ft for your final installation, a lift gate is not an option for your delivery.
We can also offer unloading assisting option depending on delivery location. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
I will not be on-site for the delivery. Can I name a different receiver?
If you are placing or purchasing an order, but will not be at the delivery site, please let us know who the receiver will be. Are they your general contractor/site supervisor/installer, or a family member for residential deliveries? What is the best phone number to reach them? Let the Shipping Coordinator and/or your salesperson know in advance, and we will be sure they are included in all arrangements and shipping communications.
How can I be sure the delivery drivers have all my correct information?
The best way to ensure that the carriers have the correct contact information and delivery instructions is to confirm shipping details with our Shipping Coordinator. All addresses, contacts and service requests are kept up to date in our internal database. The customer service team draws from the database to coordinate each shipment with our carriers.
If you move or need the shipment sent to a different site after your order is placed, please inform customer service or your shipping coordinator as soon as possible.
What should I do if I need to change any of my shipping details (e.g., address, contact info) once my order has left the Pioneer Millworks?
If there are last-minute changes to the shipment, please give the carrier a call directly and authorize them to make the changes. Also let us at Pioneer Millworks know so we can keep the database updated, and further coordinate with the carrier on your behalf.
It is best to reach out to us as soon as possible with any changes as some carriers require authorization. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Will the Delivery Driver or Dispatch call me to let me know when they will arrive?
They certainly can, we will just need to place a request for a notification call when we arrange the delivery. To make sure the driver can reach someone on site, please let us know the best phone number to reach the receiver of the shipment. This will only happen if requested or if it is a residential delivery.
Is an appointment delivery required? Can I just get a head’s up call from the incoming driver?
You do not need an appointment for delivery; Pioneer Millworks can let the drivers know your receiving hours. However, if you prefer an appointment window, we can request one for you when setting up the shipment.
We can also request a courtesy call from the driver or dispatch to let you know when the truck is 1-2 hours out.
Will my material arrive on time?
Every effort is made to ensure the timely delivery of your order. When your order is quoted, the travel time is estimated and kept with the order details. Once your products are complete, the delivery date can be narrowed down. At this point, you can choose to create an appointment for delivery, or keep to the estimate which is within a range of a couple of business days. If you would like an appointment, the carrier will be notified of the request, and they will contact you directly to make arrangements.
Our Shipping Coordinator will send you the shipping contact and tracking information once your order is in transit.
Though we strive to have on time deliveries, shipping is not an exact science and weather, or traffic delays can affect shipments. We work with reliable carriers, and should anything happen to change your delivery date, we will do our best to inform you ahead of time and mitigate the issue.
Can I, or will I need to contact the carrier directly?
You are welcome to contact the carrier directly to discuss the details of your delivery. Your tracking email will contain the website and customer service number of the company handling your shipment. Please reference your tracking number when communicating with them.
If you make significant changes to the delivery address or request additional services, the carrier will most likely contact the Pioneer Millworks shipping coordinator to authorize the shipping changes, as they can affect shipment costs. In this situation, Pioneer Millworks will reach out to you to confirm the changes are correct before authorizing the carrier to adjust the shipment. It is best to inform Pioneer Millworks and the carrier of changes at the same time to avoid delivery delays.
How do I unload my material on site? Do I need a forklift?
Your material will arrive stacked in hand-bundles (approximately 25sq ft in each), strapped, and wrapped to a long pallet or skid. Depending on the product, it is also possible your shipment may come dead stacked directly on the pallet. We find it best and fastest to off load from the back of the tracker trailer with a forklift with long forks and/or chains.
The skids can be hand off-loaded by having a few extra people on site:
- 1 or 2 people inside the tractor-trailer can open the wrap and give the material a quick once-over to inspect for any damages.
- Cut the metal bands with tin snips and pass the boards/hand-bundles to people assisting on the ground.
The free unloading time is limited to roughly 30 minutes since common carriers have many deliveries to make throughout a day. (We suggest moving the material off the truck and stacking to the side, then moving into the site where it is needed after everything is unloaded.)
My order is delivering to a residence, and I need help to unload. Will your carrier move my material inside?
If your material is delivering to a residence, please let us know as soon possible, preferably when you place your order. It will affect the way the carrier delivers the order and the cost of shipment. Common carriers generally do not move material indoors on a delivery, nor do the drivers unload the vehicle. The receiver is responsible for unloading the order from the tail of the truck.
If you need help unloading and moving material into a building, please let us know and we will request an ‘inside delivery’. If we inform the carriers of an inside delivery, they will send extra staff with the driver to your site and/or allow extra time. They will unload your material and bring it just inside the structure (e.g., home, garage, overhang). This does add some cost to the delivery to cover the extra help and time.
If there is a special circumstance and you will not be able to unload the material from the truck at all, due to lack of crew and/or equipment, etc. there is a special service we can quote for you, White Glove Delivery. This service has the carrier unload the truck, bring the freight inside to the room you specify, remove the material off the pallet, stack it and remove all packaging and pallets from the site. Please note: this type of service will incur extra costs from the carrier, and it is not always available with every carrier. Please let the Shipping Coordinator know your needs and we will work with you to assure a smooth delivery.
Can the truck pull into my driveway to unload closer to the door?
Standard LTL (less than truck load) deliveries are considered street-site(curbside delivery) drop offs and will not pull up into the driveway. Typically, common carrier tractor trailers are too large to turn around in a residential driveway. However, if we know that your driveway is accessible, we can let the drivers know and they can determine how best to deliver when they arrive on site. There is an extra cost associated with residential deliveries for all carriers to accommodate the extra time and care needed to navigate these sites.
What should I do if my material arrives damaged?
Though rare, occasionally material can get damaged during transport. If you notice any damage to your boards as you unload, please make a written note on the Bill of Lading/Proof of Delivery form (the document the driver has with delivery instructions). If possible, document the damage in photographs and email them to Pioneer Millworks (this needs to be done immediately as carrier damage only has 7 days from delivery to report). If there is a note on the Bill of Lading/Proof of Delivery, we can negotiate with the carrier company to compensate for the damages under their guarantees. If there is any dispute from the driver/carrier company, and we lack notes/pictures, it is more difficult to prove that the damage occurred during transport. Either way, we at Pioneer Millworks will replace any damaged material and will arrange any needed returns as quickly as we can. Please work with your Reclaimed Wood Expert to move the material through production.
Still have questions on shipping? For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Measurements
What are the square foot measurements (and how do I calculate them)?
Square footage is calculated by multiplying the length in feet by the width in feet. You'll usually want to add another 7–12% for cutting and installation waste. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
How are nominal and actual measurements different?
Just like a 2 x 4 is not really a 2 inch by 4-inch piece of wood, our flooring is specified in whole inch increments. The actual face width after milling is 1/2" less, so for example, a 6" plank will have a face width of 5 1/2". Not to worry, we ship you the proper square footage of your order measured off the actual face width after milling, so you don't have to perform any complex calculations. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Specifics
Do I need to let my floor acclimate prior to installation?
Our flooring should be acclimated until it is within 2 - 3 percent of the moisture content of the subfloor to get the best installation possible. For more see: Technical Guidelines | NWFA
How do I glue down a floor?
What is heart pine?
Heart Pine is the heartwood of the Longleaf Southern Yellow Pine tree (Pinus Palustris). The Virgin old-growth forests covered the southern US from Virginia over to Texas, and the wood was harvested extensively through the 1800's because of its sheer size and strength. While only a small percentage of these original forests remain today, our Heart Pine is sawn from timbers that were cut from the original logs long ago. Companies will label a floor as "old growth" but it doesn't necessarily mean it was cut 100 years ago - it could be the recent cutting of an old, old tree today. Despite being a species of Pine, it has remarkable hardness, 1200 on the Janka scale, making it nearly as hard as Red Oak.
What is American Gothic?
Since the reclaimed wood industry doesn't have a specific governing grading agency, each company is left to develop their own grades. American Gothic is one of our grades, created by sawing blanks from large timbers reclaimed primarily from barns & agricultural buildings, leaving each plank with a clean, smooth surface.
What does 'fresh sawn' mean?
Fresh-sawn woods are those which have been cut from newly harvested trees, and not from reclaimed wood. Some companies tout their fresh-sawn woods as "Old Growth", which is a confusing claim, and it does not mean that the wood is any older than a typical fresh-sawn wood.
What is the difference between sapwood and heart wood?
Heart wood is the center-most portion of the tree, and is the part that "died off" as the tree grew. It is harder than the sapwood, and because it is not actively carrying nutrients it is more dimensionally stable when the wood is cut into flooring planks. Sapwood is the living outer portion of the tree just under the bark. It is generally lighter in color and softer than the heart wood due to the continued work of the sapwood in carrying water from the roots to the leaves. In our flooring, the percentage of heart wood & sapwood can vary - be sure to check out our grade specifications to see how much of each you will see in your floor.
How do you get the character marks on your Settlers' Plank line?
We are careful not to remove what history and original wear these boards have - we leave the character, saw marks and original patina in place. We don't add fake marks - Mother Nature, time, and the countless years of hard use on a farm are to thank for the rich character in our floors.
What is the Janka hardness rating scale?
The Janka scale provides a consistent numerical reference of hardness for various species of wood. The higher the number, the harder the wood.
Do you have a minimum order requirement?
Yes, we have a minimum quantity requirement on a product-by-product basis, and while orders of lesser amounts can be accommodated with sufficient lead time, we do add handling and setup charges to offset the time involved in preparing smaller projects. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Exteriors
How long will it last?
Our American Prairie products are reclaimed from older structures, some of which have been protecting buildings for a hundred years or more, and our Shou Sugi Ban and Siding & Shiplap products will last just as long with proper installation and maintenance. The finish colors on our products will need to be maintained and refreshed every 3 to 10 years to preserve vibrance although some people prefer to let them age naturally to a silver patina.
How often do I have to re-seal the wood?
The Dynaseal applied to our products will protect the wood for up to 10 years before needing a recoat. Longevity depends on moisture, sun exposure, and temperature. If recoating for aesthetics, every 3 to 5 years is recommended.
SSB should be maintained by periodically cleaning the surface with water and a soft bristled brush. Never use a high-pressure sprayer, power washer or chemical cleaners on any wood product. Depending on the environment where the material is installed, additional coats of finish will need to be applied to maintain the look and water resistance of the wood. If the material starts to look worn, is changing color or is absorbing moisture, it’s a good idea to redcoat promptly. Please consult the finish manufacturers application process for best results. Always clean the surface before applying additional finish. No sanding of scraping should be necessary before coating.
For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
How does Larch compare to Western Red Cedar?
Aesthetically, they are quite similar, although Larch tends to take stain colors more readily because the wood is naturally a lighter color. They have similar physical characteristics with Larch being a little harder and they both test nearly the same in rot resistance.
Can I install this horizontally and/or vertically?
It can be installed horizontally, vertically or on a diagonal, if you like, provided the rain screen system is properly installed it will perform well. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
How do I make the nail/screw heads less visible?
There are a number of different companies that sell nails with painted heads including Grip-rite and Maze Nails. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
How many nails are needed across the face?
At least two nails per furring strip should be driven through the face of each board approximately 1" from each edge to minimize cupping and 1-1/2” from the ends. See our installation guide. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Do I have to install this on a rain screen/furring strips?
Yes, this is a best practice for all installations. See our installation guide. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Are there concerns about bugs/birds when using real wood siding?
All of our wood is kiln-dried, so it leaves our facility free of pests. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
How do I handle corners/trim details?
Refer to our installation guide. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Will the char run/wash off the wood?
The sealer that we apply to the material soaks into the wood and char to help prevent this as much as possible. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Do you provide a touch-up finish?
Yes. For more information you can chat with the team directly from our website, call us at (800-951-9663) or email.
Why do you only make your Shou Sugi Ban in Oregon?
Douglas fir and Larch are harvested in the Pacific Northwest, and Accoya® is available throughout the US. We have invested in an excellent system for consistently charring the wood in our Oregon mill and find it more efficient to process it there. It is less impactful on the environment to process the timbers near where they are sourced and then ship it where it is needed.