Established in 1927 in the City of Detroit where it still stands at what is now the northeast corner of 7 Mile & I-75, Public Lumber & Millwork began as a simple lumber store selling to the "public." For almost 50 years, it was owned and operated by the Gilbur family. In 1976, the Gilburs sold the business and the property to brothers Hani & Zuhair Sarafa.
Hani & Zuhair successfully owned and operated the company together until 1986 when Zuhair moved to California, at which point Hani and his wife Fadiya Sarafa acquired full ownership. Throughout its entire history, Public Lumber has been known as a traditional, family-owned lumberyard. However, in 1996, a moulder machine was purchased and millwork manufacturing was added to operations.
Hani & Zuhair successfully owned and operated the company together until 1986 when Zuhair moved to California, at which point Hani and his wife Fadiya Sarafa acquired full ownership. Throughout its entire history, Public Lumber has been known as a traditional, family-owned lumberyard. However, in 1996, a moulder machine was purchased and millwork manufacturing was added to operations.
Services
We specialize in stocking and manufacturing hardwood moldings and rough hardwood boards and provide customized millwork services to meet the needs of our customers, regardless of the size and scope of their projects. Specialized Wood & Products - Is there something you're interested in that you don't see on our website?
We do not. This includes dimensional pine for rough framing, trusses, LVLS, gutter boards, OSB, and fencing. Our primary business is hardwoods, mouldings, hardwood plywoods, clear softwoods, and finished wood products like stairs and laminated tables. As long as there is a physical sample or a scaled drawing of some sort, we can make a new knife that will allow us to manufacture the moulding.
We have replicated 1000's of moulding profiles that we catalog and store in our extensive knife library. We can make any of these profiles in any of the specie's of wood that we carry, if we dont already have some in our current inventory. These profiles may have restrictions depending on the size of the moulding and the specie you need.
We have selected a few popular moulding styles that we mass produce in solid Poplar and stock at our Detroit warehouse. Since we control every aspect of the moulding manufacturing process, we are able to mandate stringent tolerances for quality and size so that everything matches, all the time. We offer these mouldings at very reasonable prices, ready on the shelf for pick-up or delivery.
Reviews (14)
John Milan
Nov 11, 2021
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This place has an extensive stock of molding of all sizes and a collection or both rough and rift cut as well as finished wood that can fill any need of matching existing mill work in the new and old houses in Detroit. The staff is all VERY knowlegeable and helpful. For as huge a selection that they offer, it is extremely well organized and easy to shop. Shopping here for my carpentry stock or special orders is a slam dunk.
NICELY DONE Public Lumber, NICELY DONE!
NICELY DONE Public Lumber, NICELY DONE!
John O'Donnell
Nov 01, 2021
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Steve Hurst
Sep 03, 2021
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Hillary Griffin
Jun 15, 2021
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Big Country Joe
Jun 14, 2021
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Rusty Shackelford
May 24, 2021
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Marilyn Lee
Nov 24, 2020
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I don't see how this store got great reviews, because as a first-time customer it seemed to me. they was just trying to give me spear damage wood that didn't match and one that had oil on it. I was just Air and opportunity to dumb damage wood on.
I stand by my rating. I believe you'll intentionally gave me bad wood. I didn't want to return to a business that treated a new customers that way.
I stand by my rating. I believe you'll intentionally gave me bad wood. I didn't want to return to a business that treated a new customers that way.
Tom
Aug 16, 2019
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I'm not sure where the positive reviews here are coming from. I tried ordering a small sample of lumber over the phone, and was shipped and charged for nearly $600 of wood. They never sent me an invoice or receipt, and did not communicate about lead times. Only when I called two weeks later was the order suddenly shipped out the next day. I've tried returning the lumber, but they're careless and difficult to communicate with. I should not have to exchange half a dozen emails and just as many phone calls with them, the shipping company, AND an additional logistics company just to return their product
Emagination Engineering
Jun 30, 2018
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Christine S.
Sep 03, 2016
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We had a hard time finding a trim we liked in the height we needed, public lumber was a gold mine. They had so many options! Very affordable and everyone single person we spoke to or dealt with was so nice and helpful. My husband and I can't say enough good things! Thanks vinny for all your help and everyone else.
Jon H.
Feb 29, 2016
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Public Lumber helped me with a pesky wood problem today. I interacted with four different employees as we tried to sort out the solution. Every one of them was knowledgeable about the product, very helpful and friendly. This is all in addition to having one of the best inventories of wood and wood related services in in the Detroit area. Can't get any better than that, right?
Peter Dolinski
Sep 24, 2015
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5 stars in every respect. If you need quality lumber at a great price, this is the place to go. I'm on the east side and its always worth the trip. I am doing a major boat restoration and their Marine birch is absolutely excellent. 11-ply, perfectly straight with no warping checking. The interior plies are probably a better grade than most face plies. My dad has purchased quality hardwoods from here for years.
Mark C.
Aug 29, 2015
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I discovered Public Lumber 20 years ago when my contractor sent me there as a source for some exotic paneling for one wall of my great room. After later moving to a Tudor home built in the 1930's, they have been my sole source for all the wood that I have needed for my remodeling projects. They even made tools to allow me to have new base and door trim moldings cut to exactly match the originals.
They have in-stock a HUGE variety of wood species in a HUGE variety of sizes, shapes, etc. Craig has usually been the guy to help me, and his services have been great. One small caveat: As you
They have in-stock a HUGE variety of wood species in a HUGE variety of sizes, shapes, etc. Craig has usually been the guy to help me, and his services have been great. One small caveat: As you
Bob A.
Mar 24, 2014
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As am amateur woodworker, I like the fact that I can go into the indoor lumber area and browse their inventory. They have a lot of cutoffs which often is the best buy, but they have full length boards as well. Great stock, good prices, and great staff.
No need to buy surfaced lumber if you have the tools to plane them. Save your dollars and buy the skip planed stuff!
No need to buy surfaced lumber if you have the tools to plane them. Save your dollars and buy the skip planed stuff!