Kiln-Dried Hardwood Slabs in Stepney, CT
Stepney is part of Monroe, and so is the Tougas Timberworks shop. This is the closest possible source for kiln-dried hardwood lumber in the area. Black walnut at $15 per board foot, hard maple, cherry, and sycamore at $12, white oak pricing varies. All milled locally, dried in-house, sold rough by the board foot. Call before you come.
Your Most Local Source for Kiln-Dried Hardwood
Stepney is not a separate town. It is a village within Monroe, and Tougas Timberworks is a Monroe shop. That makes this the most local hardwood lumber source available to Stepney residents. You are not driving to Bridgeport or Shelton or ordering from a distributor three states away. The kiln is down the road.
Every slab in the shop was milled from timber sourced in Connecticut. Local tree services, private landowners, and occasional timber jobs across Fairfield County supply the raw material. Logs come into the yard, get milled on site with a chainsaw mill, stacked to air dry briefly, and loaded into the kiln. The drying cycle is controlled from start to finish. Nothing goes out until the moisture meter reads 6 to 8 percent.
Hobbyist woodworkers, homeowners with a project in mind, and contractors sourcing countertop material all come through the shop. There is no minimum purchase. If you need one board foot of walnut for a small build, that is fine. If you need a full slab for a dining table, that is fine too. Eric will measure it, tell you the board footage, and give you a straight price.
Because Stepney and Monroe are the same place, some of the timber on the floor came from trees that were cut within a few miles of where you are standing. That traceability is something no distributor can offer. When you ask where the wood came from, Eric can often tell you the town, the species, and roughly when it was milled. That is the advantage of buying local from someone who runs the full cycle.
Lumber Pricing
| Species | Price |
|---|---|
| Black Walnut | $15 / bf |
| Hard Maple | $12 / bf |
| Cherry | $12 / bf |
| Sycamore | $12 / bf |
| White Oak | Varies by slab |
All lumber is kiln dried to 6 to 8 percent moisture content.
Sold rough, unsurfaced. Board footage calculated at the shop.
Inventory rotates. Contact Eric before making the drive.
Species Available for Stepney Projects
Black Walnut
Rich dark grain from Connecticut-sourced timber. The most requested species in the shop, used for countertops, live edge dining tables, and floating shelves. Some of the walnut in stock was milled from trees removed within Monroe itself. Priced at $15 per board foot.
White Oak
Tight grain and strong ray fleck figure. Harder than red oak with better moisture resistance. A reliable choice for countertops and furniture pieces that get heavy use. Width and figure vary by slab, so seeing the material in person makes a difference.
Hard Maple
Dense and light-colored with consistent, predictable grain. Works well for hobbyist projects and larger furniture builds alike. A good choice when you need something that machines cleanly and takes a clear finish without drama.
Cherry
Warm amber tones that continue to develop with age and light exposure. Straight-grained and easy to work. Cherry is a classic choice for furniture projects where a traditional hardwood appearance fits the room. Available when Connecticut timber comes through.
Sycamore
A local Connecticut hardwood that does not show up at lumber yards. Cream to tan color with strong ray fleck figure when the grain cooperates. A distinctive option for woodworkers who want something outside the standard walnut-maple-oak rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Tougas Timberworks shop in relation to Stepney?
Stepney is a village within the town of Monroe. The Tougas Timberworks shop is also in Monroe, which makes this as local as it gets. You do not need to drive to another town to find kiln-dried hardwood slabs. Contact Eric to confirm hours and get directions to the shop.
Can I walk in or should I call ahead?
Call or text ahead before visiting. The shop is a working woodshop, not a retail showroom. Eric may be in the middle of a mill run or a build when you arrive unannounced. A quick call takes 30 seconds and means he can set time aside to go through the material with you properly. That is better for both of you.
What species are usually in stock?
Black walnut and hard maple are the most consistently available. White oak comes through regularly. Cherry and sycamore rotate depending on what Connecticut timber has been milled recently. The inventory is not static. Some weeks there is an exceptional walnut slab available. Other weeks it is mostly maple. Call Eric and he will tell you exactly what is on the floor.
Do you sell small quantities for hobbyist woodworkers?
Yes. There is no minimum purchase. If you need two board feet of cherry for a small project, that is a legitimate transaction. Eric charges by the board foot based on the actual dimensions of what you take. Hobbyist woodworkers are part of the customer base and are welcome at the shop.
Can I see the kiln when I visit?
Usually, yes. The kiln is part of the shop setup and Eric is straightforward about how the drying process works. If you are curious about what makes kiln-dried lumber different from air-dried or green wood, he can walk you through it. That kind of transparency is part of why people trust the material that comes out of this shop.
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Areas We Serve
Ask About Current Inventory
The shop is in Monroe, right in Stepney territory. Contact Eric to find out what is on the floor before you come by.