Stains and extractives affect lumber color — and so much more! The more we learn about the natural qualities of lumber, the more effectively we can all work with this fabulous green building product. Added Effects of Sap In addition to its unattractive appearance which we … [Read more...]
Wood Color Change: Extractives & Staining, Part 1
Wood color change can be caused by a variety of factors; extractives represent a major one. What are extractives? They’re basically chemicals naturally found in a tree, typically making the wood rot and weather resistant. (Sometimes extractives can even be tasty, such as maple … [Read more...]
It’s Not Easy Being Green: Wood Movement in Winter, Part 2
During the colder winter months, the boards in your climate-controlled shop are subjected to an unnatural degree of dryness; in a previous post, we talked about how to avoid significant issues that can stem from exposure to such an environment. Now we’re going to discuss how to … [Read more...]
It’s Not Easy Being Green: Wood Movement in Winter, Part 1
During the winter months, the extremely dry conditions of artificial heat present a unique movement-related issue. Think about it: your lumber supplier typically stores lumber in an environment that is not climate controlled. Whether it’s in an outdoor storage area or an indoor … [Read more...]
Specialty Wood Products: Wide Plank Flooring, Part 3
The uniqueness of wide plank flooring certainly needs to be taken into consideration during the planning stages as you select species and value engineer the design in a way that offers your client the best bang for their buck. (You can read more about that in Part 1.) … [Read more...]
Specialty Wood Products: Wide Plank Flooring, Part 2
As the trend toward wide plank flooring continues, you as a builder will want to understand the difficulties it presents (see Part 1). Perhaps even more importantly, you’ll want to learn how you can install these floors to help you achieve the highest degree of stability … [Read more...]
Specialty Wood Products: Wide Plank Flooring, Part 1
In the high-end construction and remodeling world, wide plank flooring is quickly becoming a must-have design element. These wider planks, usually 12 inches wide or more, are required for the right look in larger rooms. However, as striking as wide planks can be, they can also be … [Read more...]
When Is the Best Time to Buy Ipe?
Lumber Buying for Smarties: The Right Time To Buy Ipe. One thing is for sure: If you’re looking for a premium weather-resistant deck, dock, or boardwalk, the best option is Ipe. It’s more resilient than other tropical hardwoods or pressure-treated Pine, and much better … [Read more...]
What Size Ipe Lumber Should I Buy?
Smart Lumber Buying: Determining the Right Size Ipe To Buy Perhaps you’re likely to balk at the price of Ipe and are having a hard time deciding whether it’s worthwhile to spring for Ipe. Even so, there’s really no debate when it comes to the fact that Ipe is the most durable … [Read more...]
How to Decide If You Need Marine Grade Plywood, Part 3
Determining whether or not you need “marine grade plywood” isn’t always a cut-and-dried decision. You have a lot of factors to consider, including cost, durability, and how much weatherproofing and water resistance is truly necessary for the application you have planned for the … [Read more...]
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