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...]

In our first article, we discussed the ambiguity that exists in the lumber industry when it comes to deciding whether or not plywood should be designated as “marine grade.” We discussed the APA – The Engineered Wood Association’s credentials as a nonprofit engineered wood product … [Read more...]

Determining whether or not you need to use marine grade plywood for your next outdoor project can be a bit complicated. For a number of different contractors, ordering marine grade plywood for each and every exterior plywood application would seem to make sense. But the term … [Read more...]

J. Gibson McIlvain, as a lumber importer, is very conscious of its social and environmental responsibilities. Buying imported lumber, according to the International Wood Products Association, is actually the best way to save the rainforests. That is far from ludicrous, despite … [Read more...]

In the early to mid decades of the 20th century, Philippine Mahogany gained a reputation as a top-notch boat building material. This was the era of the Chris Craft boats made from this durable and eye-catching wood. If a species can be used for building boats, that’s a clear sign … [Read more...]

Is the legitimate logging industry really putting rainforests in jeopardy? It’s ironic that during a time when green building and sustainability are increasingly popular concepts, composite decking is still considered an option. Among its many downfalls, these manufactured … [Read more...]

What McIlvain Lumber Quality Really Means, Part 2. At J. Gibson McIlvain, we realize that quality isn’t something to take for granted. We go to great lengths to ensure that our lumber products maintain the high standards for which the McIlvain name has become well known for … [Read more...]

What McIlvain Lumber Quality Really Means, Part 1. “Quality” is one of those words that gets thrown around so often, that its meaning becomes blurred. At J. Gibson McIlvain, we pride ourselves on supplying high-quality lumber, but you may be wondering exactly what we mean by … [Read more...]

Like the myths about tropical lumber, many myths surround the sustainability of Bamboo, as opposed to Hardwoods. When you look at the cold, hard facts, there are actually plenty of reasons to choose lumber of any kind over Bamboo. We’ll take a look at a few of … [Read more...]