The high-end customer who desires the distinctive look of wide-plank flooring certainly won’t settle for second-best. They want the job done, and they want it done right the first time. In Wide-Plank Flooring 101, we discussed two concerns related to sourcing wide-plank hardwood flooring: limited options and movement-minded milling. Careful sawing, drying, and milling will […]
Lumber
Wide-Plank Flooring 101
In the world of high-end construction and remodeling, wide-plank flooring jobs are on the rise. Planks with widths of twelve inches or more make sense for bigger rooms, where narrow planks can make them look too much like bowling alleys — which is probably not the ambiance you’re after. As the trend toward hardwood flooring […]
Should We Be Protecting Our Forests From Loggers… Or From Tree Huggers?
Who presents the bigger problem to sustainability- loggers or tree huggers? If you want to keep the rain forests from disappearing, protect the global ecosystem, and continue the availability of quality lumber, then contrary to what you might think, you shouldn’t hug the trees: You should actually let them go. Although many people labor under […]
Composite Decking Materials vs. Tropical Hardwood Decking
If you’ve been looking at the various decking products on the market today, then you’ve likely noticed an explosion of non-organic decking materials that have become popular in recent years. These options can be attractive because of their uniformity and supposed durability. In fact, when I walked into my local big-orange-box retailer recently, I saw […]
4 Common Tropical Decking Problems- And Their Solutions
Tropical decking materials are often unbeatable when it comes to durability, density, beauty, and other desirable characteristics. Yet despite experiencing steady and increasing popularity, tropical decking lumber species such as Ipe and Cumaru have some unique characteristics of which builders need to be aware. 1. Compensating for Quartersawn Issues Most tropical decking lumber is quartersawn. […]
Why Is Cherry Wood So Popular?
Even with so many other lumber options available, cherry retains its popularity. Some of the reasons for this continuing trend include its domestic source, comparatively low price, attractive appearance, and excellent durability and workability. Domestic Source One of the many reasons to seek out cherry wood lumber is the fact that it’s made right here […]
Three Trees in a Successful Forest
In the wholesale lumber industry, it’s easy to see the forest, but not the trees. By “forest,” here, I’m referring to the overall success and respectability of a company. Factors contributing to the success of McIlvain lumber include its family-centered roots, breadth of products and services, and national and global expansion. Those “trees” may not […]
Choosing a Lumber Supplier
If you’re looking for a hardwood lumber supplier, there are several areas you need to consider. While price and quality may be at the forefront of your priority list, environmental and legal concerns should also play a part in the supplier selection process. A responsible hardwood lumber supplier will be able to ensure 2 important […]
Why Lumber is an Environmentally-Friendly Choice
Selective logging encourages conservation. When considering your next building project, we know you are concerned about the sustainability of the materials you plan on using. While you might be considering any number of recently-developed green products, we want you to know that all of J Gibson McIlvain’s lumber products are also perfectly sustainable choices. Many […]
Hardwood Plywood: Is it Dangerous?
Hardwood Plywood, or HWPW, has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, largely due to the formaldehyde emissions it produces. HWPW panels have decorative wood veneers and are intended for indoor use in furniture, cabinets, engineered wood flooring (EWF), and various other architectural elements and products. Comprised of veneers, finger- joint lumber, non-structural softwood veneers, […]
Why Is Ipe Decking So Popular?
Sometimes the winners of popularity contests don’t deserve all the hype that surrounds them. Ipe decking, however, has a well-earned reputation for longevity and beauty that makes its rockstar status among decking lumber understandable. If you’re looking for the best decking material available, Ipe decking is, hands down, the lumber-of-choice for your project. Sometimes called […]
Ipe and Other Tropical Hardwood Decking Options
Tropical hardwood decking is a must-have component of the modern home’s outdoor space. While Ipe is still the hands-down favorite within the tropical hardwood decking industry, other options do abound. Comparing them to the ever-popular Ipe can help you discern the choice that’s best for your commercial decking project or your own back yard. Ipe […]
Massaranduba Lumber: a Mahogany Alternative
Fresh from the warm trees of South America, Massaranduba lumber is a distinct hardwood full of color and appeal. Massaranduba is primarily used for decking and outdoor applications, and a project made with Massaranduba lumber adds luxury and sophistication to a backyard. Massaranduba trees grow to heights of 100 to 150 feet tall with a […]
Is the Recycled Plastic Deck Lumber a Good Choice?
With many of the same looks and uses as regular lumber, recycled plastic lumber is a wood-like product made from recovered plastic and other materials. It can be used as a substitute for concrete, wood, and metals. Common uses for recycled plastic lumber include agricultural, civil engineering, gardening, industrial, recreational, transportation, and marine engineering applications. […]
Why Cherry Lumber Supplies Could Be Shrinking
Cherry lumber has been popular in America for centuries, and it’s no wonder why. The wood is workable, making it a favorite for furniture projects and other indoor applications. It’s also a very attractive wood, and its warm tones and subtle grain patterns have made it an American favorite. But unfortunately for Cherry lovers, supplies […]