Carlton’s Rare Woods & Veneers

About Carlton’s Rare Woods & Veneers — Hardwood Lumber in Atlanta

Carlton’s Rare Woods & Veneers serves Atlanta’s woodworking community as a premier hardwood lumber supplier, specializing in both domestic and exotic wood species. We cater to furniture makers, cabinetmakers, fine woodworkers, and hobbyists who demand superior quality materials for their projects.

Our extensive inventory includes hardwood boards available in rough, S2S, and S4S formats, sold by the board foot with transparent grading from FAS to Select and #1 Common. From classic American hardwoods like walnut and cherry to exotic imports like zebrawood and purpleheart, we maintain proper moisture content and offer custom milling services.

Unlike big box retailers with limited selection and questionable quality, we provide expert knowledge about grain patterns, figure, and species characteristics. Our staff understands the unique requirements of fine woodworking and can guide customers to the perfect material for each project, ensuring superior results.

Atlanta’s thriving furniture and cabinetmaking scene demands access to premium hardwood lumber, and Georgia’s position as a southeastern hub makes it ideal for both domestic sourcing and exotic imports. Our location serves the entire metro area’s growing community of professional woodworkers and passionate hobbyists.

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Location & Directions

What to Expect When You Visit

Walking into Carlton’s Rare Woods & Veneers, you’ll discover carefully organized stacks of hardwood boards showcasing the natural beauty of various species. The distinctive aroma of different woods fills the air as you browse through domestic favorites and exotic rarities, each board displaying unique grain patterns and character.

Knowledgeable staff members are available to discuss your project requirements, explain wood characteristics, and help you select boards with the right grain orientation and figure. You can physically inspect each board, checking for defects and visualizing how the wood will look in your finished piece.

Products & Materials

Our hardwood lumber selection spans both domestic species like red oak, white oak, hard maple, soft maple, cherry, walnut, hickory, and ash, alongside exotic imports including mahogany, teak, bubinga, wenge, zebrawood, and purpleheart. Each species is available in multiple thicknesses from 4/4 to 12/4 and beyond, with boards graded according to NHLA standards.

We stock lumber in rough-sawn, S2S (surfaced two sides), and S4S (surfaced four sides) formats, allowing customers to choose the level of preparation that suits their project timeline and equipment. Our custom milling services can dimension lumber to specific requirements, and we maintain proper kiln-dried moisture content for stability.

Specialty veneers complement our solid lumber inventory, offering book-matched sets and exotic species for fine furniture and architectural millwork. Figured woods including curly maple, quilted maple, and bird’s eye maple provide stunning visual appeal for premium projects.

Who Shops Here

Carlton’s Rare Woods & Veneers attracts serious woodworkers including professional furniture makers, custom cabinetmakers, architectural millworkers, and dedicated hobbyists who appreciate quality materials. Our customers understand the value of premium hardwood lumber and often work on high-end residential projects, commercial installations, and fine furniture pieces that demand exceptional wood species and grain selection.

Serving the Atlanta, Georgia Area

Atlanta’s woodworking community thrives with numerous custom furniture shops, cabinet makers, and artisan craftspeople throughout the metro area. The city’s historic neighborhoods drive demand for architectural millwork and restoration projects, while Georgia’s furniture manufacturing heritage continues to influence local woodworking standards and expertise.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Call ahead to confirm availability of specific species or thicknesses, especially for exotic hardwoods
• Bring project plans or dimensions to get accurate board foot calculations and material recommendations
• Inspect boards personally for grain pattern and defects that might affect your project design
• Ask about moisture content and acclimation time needed in your shop environment
• Consider rough-sawn lumber if you have planing capability – it offers more thickness options and better value
• Inquire about off-cuts and shorts for smaller projects that don’t require full-length boards

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta Area Woodturners Association serves as the premier turning chapter for woodworkers throughout the greater Atlanta region, offering monthly meetings, demonstrations, and educational workshops. Local makers can also explore resources at the Woodcraft store in Roswell, which provides tools, classes, and community connections for woodworkers of all skill levels. Additionally, several community colleges in the metro area including Gwinnett Technical College offer woodworking and cabinetry programs for those seeking formal instruction.

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

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