Raw Heartwood opened in West Chicago in June of 2019. The shop started
for a specific reason: project-ready wood — the kind that's already dried
right, already surfaced flat, already stable — was hard to find locally
when I was learning. So the shop became the place that has it.
Bachelor's in Environmental Studies, years as a Park Foreman before
that, which is where the trees-have-histories thinking came from. The
vacuum kiln came a few years in. The epoxy side arrived when it turned out
the odds and ends other people threw away made the best river tables and serving trays.— Garrett Magnusson“The Bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” -Benjamin Franklin
We are committed to saving beautiful trees from the mulch pit! All of our domestic species come from logs that are locally sourced from urban areas of the Chicago suburbs.
FAQs
Q: Why urban wood?
A: Picture this: That majestic maple that's been the backdrop of your neighborhood block parties for 80 years has to come down. Tragic, right? Not with us! Urban wood is like the vintage wine of the lumber world – it comes with character, stories, and unique features you simply won't find in commercial lumber.
Q: What's special about vacuum kiln drying?
A: Remember that warped cutting board your aunt gave you? That's what happens with poorly dried wood. Our vacuum kiln is like sending your wood to graduate school – it comes out smarter, more stable, and ready for anything.
Q: Do you offer custom work?
A: Does deep dish pizza need cheese? (That's a big YES!) From "I know exactly what I want" to "help me figure this out," we're your wood wizards.
Q: What's your service area?
A: We serve the entire Chicago metropolitan area.
About RAW Heartwood — Urban Wood Sawmill in West Chicago
