Pop's Barn

How Buying a Slab Works

New to buying live-edge slabs? Here’s the whole deal, start to finish.

How does it work, step by step?

  1. Find a slab you like in the inventory. Each one is the actual piece you’ll get — not a stock photo.
  2. Reserve it with a 25% deposit, or buy it outright. The deposit pulls it off the table for everyone else.
  3. We stamp it RESERVED and set it aside with your name on it.
  4. You come to the barn, pay the balance, and we load you up.

What’s the deposit for?

It reserves your specific slab. It’s 25%, the balance is due at pickup, and it’s non-refundable — because once you reserve, that one-of-a-kind piece is off the market. Full details on our Deposit & Refund page.

What does “Air-Drying” mean? Is the wood ready to use?

Most of our stock is air-drying — stickered and losing moisture the slow, natural way. Each listing shows when it was milled and an estimate of when it’ll be kiln-ready. Air-dried wood is honest wood, but if you need it stable and finish-ready now, ask about kiln-finishing.

Can you kiln-dry it for me?

Yes. We run an iDry kiln on site. If you want a slab taken down to furniture-ready moisture, tell us and we’ll quote the finishing and a timeline.

Do you do custom cuts or milling?

That’s the whole point of the place. Custom slabbing, dimensional lumber, cookies, specific sizes — send us what you’re after and we’ll quote it. Big custom jobs may carry their own deposit.

Will the wood crack or move?

Some, yes — that’s real wood doing real-wood things as it finishes. Checks, small cracks, knots, and color shifts come with the territory on live-edge material. We’ll always tell you where a slab stands before you buy.

Are the measurements exact?

They’re hand-measured on rough stock, so treat them as close. Final dimensions firm up once a slab is flattened and finished.

Do you ship?

Not big slabs — those are pickup at the barn (see Pickup). Smaller pieces, ask and we’ll see what’s doable.

Can I come see it first?

Absolutely. Reach out and set up a time — seeing a slab in person is the best way to buy one.

How do I pay?

Deposit online at checkout, balance at pickup. Cards and the usual digital wallets work.

Still got a question? Head to our Contact page — a real person answers.