Not usually. Most mantels are so custom (length, size of beam, finish, etc) that I cannot keep inventory to meet every customer's needs. I work with each individual to complete custom orders. Most mantels can be completed in less than a week.
I can get railroad ties much cheaper than these. Why are your prices more expensive?
Railroad ties are soaked with a cancer-causing agent called creosote and I would never use them in any application where I would be subjected to those chemicals. Also, railroad ties are not hand-hewn by early pioneers, are super heavy, and don't have the same look as our beams.
How much do your timbers cost?
Unfortunately, there are several variables so this is a difficult question to answer. Typically we charge around $9 per board foot (which is a volumetric measurement of wood. Calculated by taking the height times depth of wood times length (all measured in inches) and divided by 144 (number of inches in a square foot). That will tell you the board feet of a piece of wood.
Prices increase for longer beams and for finishing. Prices decrease for large custom orders. All mantels run around $15 per board foot.
Do you sell whole Barns?
Absolutely!! We can source your barn and find as close to the dimensions you want as possible. Obviously, only certain size barns exist, but we have a network of land owners who contact us when they are ready to part with their barns.
What color choices do you have?
Typically, we only finish beams in clear, medium brown, or dark brown.
Can I finish the beams myself?
Absolutely, though I don't recommend it. With lots of experience through trial and error, I have found the best ways to finish these beams to preserve their character, reduce splintering, and enhance their "touchability".
Do you sell box beams?
Not currently, but we offer the "skins" which are cut from the beams. The character side of a beam is cut about 1/2" thick. We sell those to be used to wrap existing beams in a home.
Is your wood only Rustic?
Absolutely not! Wood is timeless. Wood with history is even more timeless. Our beams have been used in everything as rustic as a hunting cabin to as modern of a building as you can imagine. These beams fit a large variety of decors.
Do you sell shelves or boards?
Yes! We sell threshing floor that was used as the second level of the barn. It has great character. They range in 1.5 inches thick to 3 inches thick and vary in width from 8 to 19 inches.
Since you sell whole barns, what do they cost?
Most barns fall in the $55-80 per square foot price range. Rarer and larger barns cost more from there
Since you sell whole barns, Do you reconstruct them?
We do not currently reconstruct the barns, but we work with a great team who can quote you a price for resurrection of the original frame. We can provide you their contact information and we will oversee the reconstruction project for you.
How do I make an order?
Contact Weathered frog at 979-595-3004 or email jcs3419@hotmail.com
How heavy is the wood?
We only use antique hemlock beams, so the wood is very lightweight. Being 150 + years old, it has no residual moisture, so it is very light. I typical 8 inch x 8 inch hand hewn beam at 10 foot long weighs about 100 pounds or less.
Do you fumigate the wood?
No. We use a product called Boracare https://nisuscorp.com/product/bora-care that kills all wood boring insects that eat the wood. We also use Bifen https://www.controlsolutionsinc.com/csi-pest/general-insecticide/bifen-it to kill any bugs that may live in or on the wood but that do not consume the wood. Boracare leaves a residual inside the wood that will stop any possible infestations and prevent future infestations.
Do you provide contractor discounts?
Yes. And we provide that same discount for customers with large orders.
How old is the wood?
At Weathered Frog, we don't sell wood, we sell History! All of our beams are from 1820's to 1860's era Pennsylvania and Canada Barns.
