About Back to Nature Oak — Hardwood Lumber in Columbia Station
Back to Nature Oak is Columbia Station’s premier hardwood lumber supplier, serving furniture makers, cabinetmakers, fine woodworkers, and hobbyists throughout Ohio. Located at 12000 Hawke Rd, this specialized lumber store focuses exclusively on quality hardwood boards and lumber, offering both domestic and exotic species to meet the demanding needs of serious craftspeople.
The lumber yard stocks hardwood boards in various formats including rough-sawn, S2S (surfaced two sides), and S4S (surfaced four sides) lumber sold by the board foot. Species range from classic domestic hardwoods like oak, maple, cherry, and walnut to exotic imports including mahogany, teak, and purpleheart, all available in different grades from FAS (Firsts and Seconds) to Select and #1 Common.
Unlike big box stores that offer limited selection and questionable quality, Back to Nature Oak specializes in properly dried lumber with documented moisture content and superior grading. Their knowledgeable staff understands wood grain patterns, figured wood characteristics, and can provide custom milling services to meet specific project requirements.
Columbia Station’s location in northern Ohio provides ideal access to both Great Lakes shipping routes and Appalachian hardwood forests, making it a natural hub for quality lumber distribution. The local woodworking community benefits from this proximity to premium materials and specialized suppliers who understand the craft.
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Location & Directions
What to Expect When You Visit
Visiting Back to Nature Oak means walking through organized stacks of carefully sorted hardwood boards, where you can hand-select pieces based on grain pattern, color, and figure. The lumber is typically stored in covered sheds or warehouses, allowing customers to inspect boards for defects, measure dimensions, and choose pieces that best suit their specific projects.
Staff members are usually experienced woodworkers themselves who can discuss wood movement, grain orientation, and species characteristics. Expect to spend time browsing through different grades and thicknesses, with the ability to special order specific species or dimensions if needed for larger projects.
Products & Materials
Back to Nature Oak specializes in hardwood lumber sold by the board foot, offering both kiln-dried and air-dried options across multiple species. Domestic hardwoods include red and white oak, hard and soft maple, black cherry, black walnut, ash, hickory, and poplar in thicknesses from 4/4 to 12/4 and beyond.
Exotic species selection typically includes mahogany, teak, ipe, purpleheart, padauk, and other imported hardwoods for specialty projects. All lumber is graded according to NHLA standards, with FAS grade offering the highest quality for furniture making, Select grade for cabinet work, and #1 Common for projects where smaller clear sections are acceptable.
Custom milling services can transform rough lumber into specific profiles, and the facility likely offers planing, ripping, and dimensioning services to help customers achieve exact specifications for their woodworking projects.
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Who Shops Here
Back to Nature Oak serves professional furniture makers who need consistent quality for commissioned pieces, cabinetmakers working on kitchen and built-in projects, and serious hobbyist woodworkers crafting heirloom furniture and decorative items. Contractors specializing in custom millwork and architectural details also rely on their hardwood selection, along with boat builders, instrument makers, and restoration specialists who require specific species and grades for authentic repairs and reproductions.
Serving the Columbia Station, Ohio Area
Columbia Station’s woodworking community benefits from Ohio’s rich tradition of furniture making and the state’s access to Appalachian hardwoods. The area’s proximity to Cleveland and other manufacturing centers has fostered a strong base of skilled craftspeople, custom shops, and woodworking enthusiasts who demand quality materials for their projects, making specialized lumber suppliers like Back to Nature Oak essential to the local artisan economy.
Tips for First-Time Buyers
- Call ahead to confirm availability of specific species or thicknesses, especially for exotic hardwoods or large quantities
- Bring a moisture meter to verify lumber moisture content, especially for critical furniture projects
- Inspect boards for defects like knots, splits, and warp before purchasing, as hardwood lumber sales are typically final
- Ask about volume discounts if you’re purchasing significant board footage for larger projects
- Inquire about custom milling services and turnaround times if you need specific dimensions or profiles
- Consider seasonal wood movement when selecting quarter-sawn versus plain-sawn boards for your project
Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Columbia Station, Ohio
Woodworkers in Columbia Station can connect with the Cleveland Woodworkers Guild, which serves the greater Cleveland area with meetings, workshops, and educational programs. The Northeast Ohio Woodturners chapter of the American Association of Woodturners meets regularly in nearby areas and welcomes turners of all skill levels. Additionally, Lorain County Community College in nearby Elyria offers woodworking and cabinetmaking courses through their continuing education programs.
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