Compton Lumber Co

About Compton Lumber Co — Hardwood Lumber in Seattle

Compton Lumber Co has been Seattle’s premier hardwood lumber supplier since 1919, serving furniture makers, cabinetmakers, fine woodworkers, contractors, and woodworking enthusiasts throughout the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of Seattle’s industrial district, we specialize in providing high-quality hardwood boards sold by the board foot in both domestic and exotic species.

Our extensive inventory includes rough sawn, S2S, and S4S hardwood lumber in various grades from FAS to #1 Common, featuring popular domestic species like oak, maple, cherry, and walnut, alongside exotic imports such as mahogany, teak, and zebra wood. We maintain proper moisture content standards and offer figured woods for specialty projects, plus custom milling services to meet exact specifications.

Unlike big box retailers that stock limited pre-cut lumber, Compton Lumber Co understands the needs of serious woodworkers who require specific species, grades, and dimensions. Our knowledgeable staff can help you select the right lumber for your project, explain wood grading standards, and provide expert guidance on grain patterns and workability characteristics.

Seattle’s thriving maker community and rich woodworking tradition make it an ideal market for premium hardwood lumber. From custom furniture studios in Georgetown to hobbyist workshops in residential neighborhoods, our central location provides convenient access to quality materials that support the city’s creative woodworking scene.

Photos

Own this business? Claim your listing to add photos.

Location & Directions

What to Expect When You Visit

Walking into Compton Lumber Co, you’ll find yourself in a working lumber yard where the aroma of fresh-cut wood fills the air and stacks of carefully sorted hardwood boards line the warehouse. The knowledgeable staff will help you navigate through organized sections of domestic and exotic species, each clearly marked with grade designations and board foot measurements.

Expect to spend time examining grain patterns and selecting individual boards for your project, as serious woodworkers do. The team can pull specific pieces from inventory, discuss moisture content, and arrange custom milling services while you wait or schedule pickup for larger orders.

Products & Materials

Compton Lumber Co stocks an impressive selection of domestic hardwoods including red oak, white oak, hard maple, soft maple, cherry, walnut, ash, hickory, and poplar in various thicknesses from 4/4 to 8/4 and beyond. Each species is available in multiple grades from premium FAS (Firsts and Seconds) down to #1 Common, allowing customers to match quality and price to their specific project needs.

The exotic lumber section features imported species like genuine mahogany, teak, padauk, purpleheart, zebra wood, and wenge, sourced from responsible suppliers worldwide. Specialty figured woods including curly maple, quilted maple, bird’s eye maple, and burl sections are regularly stocked for fine furniture and artistic projects.

All lumber is available rough sawn for maximum material yield, or surfaced S2S (two sides) and S4S (four sides) for immediate use. Custom milling services can produce specific profiles, edge glue panels, or dimension lumber to exact project specifications, saving woodworkers valuable shop time.

Who Shops Here

Compton Lumber Co attracts a diverse clientele of serious woodworkers, from professional furniture makers and custom cabinetmakers who need consistent quality and specific grades, to passionate hobbyists working on heirloom pieces in their home workshops. Contractors specializing in high-end millwork, architectural restoration specialists, and woodworking instructors from local schools also rely on our extensive species selection and expert knowledge.

Serving the Seattle, Washington Area

Seattle’s woodworking community thrives in neighborhoods like Georgetown, SODO, and Ballard, where maker spaces, custom furniture studios, and artisan workshops contribute to the city’s reputation for craftsmanship and creativity. The Pacific Northwest’s connection to timber heritage, combined with a strong DIY culture and appreciation for handcrafted goods, creates an ideal environment for businesses like Compton Lumber Co to serve discerning woodworkers who demand quality materials for their projects.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Bring project dimensions and a moisture meter if possible – staff can help calculate board footage and verify moisture content for your specific needs
• Visit mid-morning on weekdays for the best selection and staff availability to discuss wood species characteristics and grain patterns
• Ask to see multiple boards in your chosen species and grade to select pieces with the most desirable grain orientation for your project
• Inquire about custom milling services if you need specific thicknesses or profiles – scheduling in advance ensures quicker turnaround
• Consider purchasing slightly more footage than calculated to account for defects and allow matching grain patterns across multiple boards
• Bring a truck or trailer for larger orders, or ask about delivery options for substantial purchases

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Seattle, Washington

The Seattle area offers excellent woodworking resources including the Northwest Woodworkers Association, one of the region’s most active guilds with regular meetings and workshops, and the Cascade Woodturners chapter of the American Association of Woodturners for those interested in turning. Community colleges like North Seattle College offer woodworking classes, while makerspaces such as Metrix Create:Space in Capitol Hill provide access to woodworking tools and equipment. Woodcraft has a location in Lynnwood that serves the greater Seattle area with supplies, classes, and expertise for woodworkers of all skill levels.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Ratings & Reviews