In August 2013, Rafael Correa, President of Ecuador, made public his decision to allow oil drilling in the Yasuni National Park, obliterating the provisions of the 2006 Yasuni-ITT initiative. The initiative had provided relief to those concerned about the environmental implications of oil drilling in the uniquely virgin region: If they could raise enough money […]
Construction
Using White Oak for Furniture Construction
Furniture manufacturers want to make sure their bed frames, bookcases, and cabinets not only look attractive but also hold up for decades. When cupboard doors are constantly opened and closed and loads of dishes weigh down on shelves, units need to withstand the stress of time. White Oak balances reasonable cost with strength to hold […]
The Value of Using Ipe Wood for Dock Repair
When boats come out of the water for the season and the weather turns colder, the time comes to fix up docks for the season. Boards come loose and warp, scratches and holes develop, and the overall wear and tear of the outdoors shows on the docks. When it’s time to assess the level of […]
How Everyone Wins When You Buy Tropical Lumber
August 2014 marked one year since Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa, made his highly controversial announcement to allow oil drilling in the Yasuni National Park, despite the 2006 Yasuni-ITT initiative. President Correa made this decision based upon having raised less than 1% of the $3.6 billion goal in actual deposits (closer to 10% in pledges) needed […]
Why Bruynzeel Is the Best Marine-Grade Plywood on the Planet
At J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber, we specialize in supplying our discriminating customers with the premium lumber they need to accomplish great things. We don’t necessarily aim to be the least expensive option out there; instead, we try to be the best. After over two centuries of success, it seems our customers appreciate our quality-focused approach. […]
Best Plywood for Small Watercraft
When building a canoe, kayak, or other small boat, you want to use a wood that’s lightweight yet will provide durability for gliding through the water. Choosing the right wood requires knowledge of how it stands up to wet environments, as well as how heavy or light it is when crafted into planks. You’ll certainly […]
Tropical Decking Comparisons: Jatoba vs. Ipe, Part 2
As Ipe becomes less readily available, evaluating prospective alternatives is becoming more and more important. While Cumaru and other species are worth consideration, Jatoba, or Brazilian Cherry, is growing in popularity, and for good reason: It is truly an outstanding stand-in for Ipe decking. In Part 1, we compared Jatoba with Ipe by examining two […]
Tropical Decking Comparisons: Jatoba vs. Ipe, Part 1
With the current shortage of Ipe, Jatoba is one of the species rising to the forefront as an alternative decking species. We’ll look at this excellent alternative, comparing it side-by-side with Ipe so you can determine which species best suits your taste and project needs. As we examine these two species, we’ll consider the four […]
Top Choices for Top-Notch Decks and Docks
When it comes to long-lasting, attractive lumber species that can be used to create a low-maintenance deck or dock, there are plenty of lumber species from which to choose. Whether your outdoor flooring will be put to use in a commercial or residential setting, the most luxurious options come from tropical hardwoods. While other options […]
Creating a Happly-Ever-After Hardwood Floor
Like Prince Charming at the ball with myriad sparkling young ladies vying for his attention, you have many, many options when it comes to flooring. At Rehmeyer Wood Floors, we know that. But we also know that some floors are predictable and far too much like all the others to suit your distinguished taste. You […]
Marine-Grade Plywood that Makes the Grade
If you’ve worked with plywood at all, you know that there are many sub-par options out there. Particularly when it comes to those customers whose projects truly require marine-grade plywood (some who think they need marine-grade plywood actually don’t), we provide only the highest quality Bruynzeel marine plywood. With its modular approach, Bruynzeel offers the […]
Old Trail Collection: Hand Distressed Hardwood Floors
Our Old Trail Collection puts a custom spin on today’s most in-demand flooring trend: hand-distressed flooring. Similar to our Authentic Hand-Scraped flooring, each floor in our Old Trail Collection is distressed by hand for a truly one-of-a-kind look. Additional customization can be achieved by selecting an accent color to highlight the grain patterns and distress […]
Ebony’s B Grade Worthlessness Leaves Lumber Rotting in the Woods
For some wood species, such as Ebony, it will take 10 fallen trees to find one that will make the A (top quality) grade. So, what will happen to the remaining 9 trees? Well, they are left rotting away in the forest because they were found to not make the grade after being cut down. […]
Bruynzeel Plywood: 100% Weather Resistant for Boat Building
Because a boat under normal conditions will spend virtually all of its time in the water, it is of the utmost importance to consider the wood being used in construction in order to avoid rot and decay, warping, or ultimately, a failed boat. In order to avoid a structural failure and the stresses/financial loss associated […]
Ipe: As Supply is Limited, Prices will Rise
With the demand for Ipe on the rise, saw mills are attempting to push the product out the door as fast as possible. However, with many factors in play, there is certainly an Ipe shortage on the horizon that lumber suppliers and customers alike must face quickly, considering possible alternatives. The Ipe buying season typically […]