Premium Millwork Services: The Icing on the Cake, Part 1

Whether you’re a builder, a designer, or simply an observant person, you know that great moulding can help a project look complete and add just the right finishing touch to a room. On the flip side, though, poorly designed or executed millwork can detract from an otherwise stunning design.

Here at J. Gibson McIlvain, we take our millwork operations seriously, starting with a careful selection of hardwoods suitable for each individual millwork profile and application. And we can help you along every step of the way toward achieving that perfect look you’re after, putting just the right finishing touch on your carefully crafted project.

Lumber and Profile Selection

Some species of wood are ideal for interior millwork, whereas others respond well under the harsher conditions for exterior jobs. Not only does the natural weather resistance of the species play a part, but texture and grain properties of a particular board also take a major role.

Once the lumber is chosen, the moulding profile is the next matter of business. From historical profiles for restoration work to an innovative new profile for a new build, we can help you determine exactly what you need.

From crowns with astragals and coves to bullnoses flanked by fillets and maybe some quirk beads, we can help you evaluate not only the suitability of a certain style to your application but also the best species for holding up such fine detail work.

As our expert staff learns about the end use of your millwork, they’ll help you determine the right species, moulding profile, and finish that will best achieve what you have in mind.

Equipment To Handle any Job

To give you an idea of exactly what we mean when we call our millwork operation “fully equipped,” here’s a list of some of the saws we have on hand at J Gibson McIlvain:

• Precision end-trimming saw
• 310mm (12”) table saw
• 9 HP panel saw with 1250mm x 2500mm (4’x8’) capacity
• A 1400mm (54”) resaw bandsaw
• 2 chop saws
• 3 straight line gang rip saws
• 4 radial arm saws

In addition to our vast array of saws, our millwork operation is also equipped with the following precision instruments:

• 205mm (8”) jointer
• 1175mm (46”) belt sander
• 765mm (30”) planer
• 4 moulders, each with 3 capacities: 105mm x 180mm (4”x7”), 105mm x 205mm (4″x8″), and 105mm x 30mm (4″x12″)

Here at J. Gibson McIlvain, we’re also equipped to handle your custom knife-grinding needs, and we have a storage facility available to handle any reorders.

As you consider your next millwork order, one of the many issues that comes into play is value engineering, or ordering with the reality of lumber in view. To learn more about how that relates to millwork, check out Part 2.

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the McIlvain family has been immersed in the premium import and domestic lumber industry. With its headquarters located just outside of Baltimore, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (www.mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods.

As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums.

For more information on J. Gibson McIlvain’s lumber products and services, call Monday-Friday toll free (800) 638-9100 to speak with one of their representatives.