Arc wood & timbers

About Arc wood & timbers — Hardwood Lumber in San Rafael

Arc wood & timbers is San Rafael’s premier destination for high-quality hardwood lumber, serving furniture makers, cabinetmakers, professional woodworkers, and passionate hobbyists throughout the Bay Area. This specialized lumber store focuses exclusively on hardwood boards, offering both domestic classics and exotic species that you simply won’t find at big box retailers.

Their inventory includes premium hardwood boards available by the board foot in rough, S2S (surfaced two sides), or S4S (surfaced four sides) formats. From traditional domestic species like walnut, cherry, and oak to exotic imports like purpleheart, zebrawood, and bubinga, Arc wood & timbers stocks the materials that serious woodworkers demand for their finest projects.

Unlike chain stores that focus on construction lumber, Arc wood & timbers understands the unique needs of fine woodworking. Their staff can discuss wood grading standards, help you select boards with the grain patterns your project requires, and provide guidance on moisture content and stability for your specific application.

San Rafael’s location in Marin County places it at the heart of Northern California’s vibrant maker community, where artisan craftspeople and professional woodworkers create everything from custom furniture to architectural millwork. This market demands access to premium materials, making Arc wood & timbers an essential resource for the region’s woodworking professionals.

Photos

Own this business? Claim your listing to add photos.

Location & Directions

What to Expect When You Visit

Walking into Arc wood & timbers, you’ll immediately notice the rich aroma of various wood species and the organized racks displaying boards of different thicknesses and species. The atmosphere is that of a specialty shop where quality takes precedence over volume, with knowledgeable staff who understand the difference between FAS and Select grades and can help you choose the right material for your project.

Expect to spend time examining individual boards, as serious woodworkers know that each piece of lumber has unique characteristics. The staff will likely ask about your project to ensure you’re selecting wood with appropriate grain orientation, figure, and dimensions, and they can arrange for custom milling services if your project requires specific profiles or dimensions.

Products & Materials

Arc wood & timbers specializes in premium hardwood boards sold by the board foot, with inventory typically including popular domestic species like walnut, cherry, maple, oak, ash, and poplar alongside exotic options such as mahogany, teak, purpleheart, and zebrawood. Their lumber is available in various grades from FAS (Firsts and Seconds) for the highest quality projects down to #1 Common for more economical applications.

Boards are stocked in multiple thicknesses, commonly ranging from 4/4 (1 inch) up to 8/4 (2 inches) or thicker for turning blanks and specialty applications. You’ll find options in rough-sawn condition for maximum flexibility, S2S for those who want to do final dimensioning themselves, or S4S for projects requiring ready-to-use lumber.

Beyond standard lumber, they often carry figured woods with dramatic grain patterns like curly maple, quilted maple, and birdseye maple that command premium prices but create stunning finished pieces. Custom milling services allow customers to get exactly the profiles and dimensions their projects demand.

Who Shops Here

Arc wood & timbers serves a dedicated clientele of furniture makers crafting heirloom pieces, cabinetmakers creating custom kitchen and built-in installations, professional woodworkers handling architectural millwork, and serious hobbyists whose projects demand materials that match their skill level. These customers understand the value of properly dried, high-grade lumber and are willing to invest in quality materials that will showcase their craftsmanship for generations.

Serving the San Rafael, California Area

San Rafael and the broader Marin County area host a thriving community of artisan woodworkers and furniture makers who supply the Bay Area’s discerning clientele with custom pieces and architectural elements. The region’s proximity to both urban markets and the natural beauty that inspires creative work has created a concentration of skilled craftspeople who require access to premium materials like those available at Arc wood & timbers.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Bring project dimensions and a moisture meter if you have one – moisture content matters for stability
• Allow extra time to hand-select boards, as grain pattern and figure can vary significantly even within the same species
• Ask about the lumber’s origin and drying method, especially for large projects where consistency matters
• Calculate board footage needs in advance, but buy 10-15% extra to account for defects and matching grain
• Inquire about custom milling services if your project requires specific profiles or glue-ready edges
• Check their inventory by phone for exotic species, as these specialty woods may have limited availability

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near San Rafael, California

The Marin Woodworkers Association serves the San Rafael area and greater Marin County with regular meetings, workshops, and a supportive community for woodworkers of all skill levels. College of Marin, located right in nearby Kentfield, offers woodworking classes through their continuing education program. For supplies and classes, the Woodcraft store in San Carlos (about 45 minutes south) provides workshops, tools, and materials for Bay Area woodworkers.

Find a local woodworking guild →  ·  Find an AAW chapter →

Frequently Asked Questions

Ratings & Reviews