Lumber

The popularity of minimalist décor trends borrowed from Asian and Scandinavian ideals have led to the increased use of Teak for interior applications from floors to ceilings — and plenty in between. Some luxury homes even use Teak for exterior door and window trim, as well as decking. Of course, Teak comes with a hefty […]

Lumber pricing can seem like quite the enigma. To some extent, it is impossible for us to communicate to customers the many factors that contribute to it, but in an effort to unveil the mystery and foster open communication between lumber suppliers and customers, we’re making an attempt. In “What Factors Determine the Price of […]

As superior as tropical decking is to composite decking in general, the impact of choosing an inferior product is multiplied when you’re building a large-scale structure such as a boardwalk. In Part 1, we looked at 4 major problems with building boardwalks with composite decking materials: inferior hardness, heat retention, oily surface, and unpredictable movement. […]

Composite decking is increasingly becoming the go-to for public boardwalks. City planners are being pressured by environmental lobbyists, and many are giving in. However, there are some serious problems with composite decking products, particularly for boardwalks. Find out why tropical decking such as Ipe or Cumuaru would be a far better choice. Reason 1: Inferior […]

One of the many aspects of Ipe that set it apart from other lumber species is tied to its area of origin. Not only does its exotic roots in Brazil mean that you should expect it to cost a little more and take a little longer to get to you, but it also means that […]

You know the old adage, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” While we probably all know of DIY projects gone wrong, and we all benefit from being humble enough to ask for help when we need it, we also have our own areas of expertise. Here at J. Gibson McIlvain, we’ve been […]

If there’s one thing J. Gibson McIlvain would love to be known for, it’s quality control. We don’t aim to offer the lowest prices around or the most extensive inventory or even the largest number of species; we do, however, aim to offer the highest quality lumber possible in each of the species and products […]

In Part 1, we examined the potential for Ipe decking lumber to be rough and have the potential for warping, as well as steps that can be taken in order to ensure its stability. Now we’ll look at a couple other potential problems you may encounter when working with Ipe and how you can avoid […]

Ipe, for all its excellent durability and beauty, presents some unusual dilemmas when it comes to installation. For those who don’t realize the potential problems that can come up when working with this extremely hard and dense species, we’d like to help you avoid some not-so-pleasant surprises as you install a new Ipe deck. Our […]

We’re not just talking about Ipe, here; many of the same points could be made about other tropical decking species, such as Cumaru, Massaranduba, Tigerwood, and others. Like most tropical species, Ipe is extremely dense and hard, creating a unique set of challenges for those who work with them. We looked at a few of […]

We’ve touched on some of the unique issues that come up as a result of working with Ipe and other extremely hard tropical decking lumber species, before, but it bears repeating — and going into more detail. Getting the Right Cut A lot of decking lumber is quartersawn, in order to accomplish two goals: achieving […]

Builders, furniture makers, and even weekend hobby woodworkers all have one thing in common: respect for wood. Unfortunately, a by-product of that respect can easily be fear — fear of buying lumber because of rumors of a waning supply. Isn’t that part of being a responsible citizen and member of the planet? Maybe it seems […]

If you’re familiar with the boat building industry, you probably associate Philippine Mahogany with the iconic Chris Craft boats dating back to the 1930s. Of course, the fact that this unusual species works for boats means that it’s more than suitable for other exterior projects, too. Philippine Mahogany works well for exterior applications such as […]

While Ipe and Cumaru are certainly our most popular decking species, we also offer several other species options for those who wish to save a little money or branch out into less commonly chartered territory. Alternative #1: Jatoba Also known as Brazilian Cherry, Jatoba is crossing over from interior flooring to a highly prized decking […]