When it comes to a home construction project, few things are more important than lumber. To ensure the strongest, most aesthetically-pleasing structure possible, you need high-quality, yet cost-effective, lumber. Who offers cheaper lumber — Lowes or a lumber yard?
In general, lumber yards offer not only cheaper lumber, but higher-quality lumber as well. This is because lumber yards are considered direct distributors, purchasing their materials directly from suppliers. The experts at a lumber yard are also typically better at taking care of their products.
Below, we will discuss everything you need to know about purchasing lumber, whether you choose to do so at a big box retailer or your local lumber yard. Keep reading to learn why lumber yards typically make a better choice!
What Makes a Great Lumber Yard?
You have spent years shopping at Lowes, Home Depot, and other “big box” home supply stores. But now, you’re considering switching to your local lumber yard and have some questions about what shopping in this kind of establishment entails. The first thing on many peoples’ minds at this point is, “what makes a great lumber yard?”
The first quality that makes a great lumber yard, and biggest advantage of shopping at one, is superior customer service. Big retailers do sell lumber, but they also sell a lot of other things. When you shop at a lumber yard, you know you’re dealing with people who know one product, and one product only — lumber.
Lumber yards are staffed by local experts who can give you personalized advice and recommendations based on the specific project you’re working on. They can tell you what type of wood will work best for the task at hand, what you should use to stain it, and how to get the job done to the best of your ability.
In addition to superior customer service and expertise, a big selection is another characteristic of a great lumber yard. At a store like this, you will almost always find a wider range of wood types and cuts of wood than what you’d find at Lowes. Some lumber yards will even offer customized cuts to fit your project perfectly!
Do Lumber Yards Have Better Wood?
The wood you find at a lumber yard often exceeds the quality of the wood you would find at a place like Lowes. Not only do lumber yards offer a wider range of wood, directly from the source, but they also often treat their products with better care.
Because lumber yards are staffed with experts, they know all the proper storage and care techniques for the wood they sell. When wood is stored and cared for properly, and kept under the optimal environmental conditions, you always get a better product. You may have interest to know which are Best Woods For Building a Deck.
Compared to what you’ll find at Lowes, lumber from a lumber yard is often straighter and has more structural integrity to stand up to any project you need it for. A little care goes a long way!
What Services Do Lumber Yards Provide?
Of course, the main service you can expect from a lumber yard is an excellent selection of lumber and building accessories. The next service you should expect to receive is superior knowledge and helpful, friendly customer service. But, what else can you expect a lumber yard to provide?
Lumber yards will often provide custom cuts for the wood you purchase. While big box retailers like Lowes will offer to cut your wood to the perfect length and width, lumber yard employees will take it a step further. Whatever custom fit you need, they can usually provide it.
In addition to this, some lumber yards may offer special deals for larger projects. Constructing something from scratch can be expensive, and when you buy in bulk from a lumber yard, special discounts can help offset some of these costs.
If you need a referral for another expert in the construction world, such as a contractor or designer, the staff at your local lumber yard will probably be able to point you in the right direction. Lumber yard employees work with building and construction experts everyday, and they can utilize these connections to help you get your next project done as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Is it Cheaper to Buy Lumber from Lowes or a Lumber Yard?
Home construction projects can get expensive quickly. For this reason, many people try to save where they can. While getting high-quality lumber is essential for success, you don’t want wood to be the thing that puts you over your budget! For this reason, some wonder which is cheaper: lumber from Lowes or lumber from a lumber yard.
Generally, it will be cheaper to buy lumber from a lumber yard than somewhere like Lowes. The price you will pay may vary based on the lumber yard you visit, but since lumber yards buy their products directly from lumber suppliers, they’re typically able to cut out the middleman and give you the best prices possible.
In addition to lower prices, you’ll get a better “bang for your buck” when you shop at a lumber yard over a big box retailer. Because lumber is their speciality, you’ll usually get a better product and more personalized customer service to ensure you get the best materials possible for the job at hand.
Need Lumber in San Antonio? Check Out AP Outdoor Living Supply
If you’re constructing any small outdoor project in San Antonio, TX, such as a deck or patio, you won’t find a better lumber yard than AP Outdoor Living. Our friendly lumber experts supply several types of wood to the local community, including:
- Cedar
- Douglas fir
- Treated pine
AP Outdoor Living also sells small materials and tools, including fasteners and screws, to help you construct your project perfectly.
The experts at AP Outdoor Living have years of experience and knowledge on patio and deck construction, as well as decades of combined knowledge on all things lumber. Here is a guide to help you find a lumber yard near me If you want to construct your next product with the best outdoor building materials in San Antonio, contact us today!