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...]

3 Big, Green Reasons To Re-Think Composite Decking. One of the major arguments touted by composite decking manufacturers to support their products has to do with the environment. The logic goes something like this: We’re preserving the rain forests by not killing trees, and … [Read more...]

Here at J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber, we have plenty of Teak in our lumber yard. Even if you’ve seen how much we have, you may not realize that we’re actually one of the largest importers of FEQ Teak in the entire United States! Luxury boat builders are, undoubtedly, our primary … [Read more...]

4 Considerations in Using Composite Decking Products. While many high-end decks and boardwalks use premium tropical hardwood decking species such as Cumaru or Ipe, composite decking products are certainly on the rise. With issues such as durability and sustainability … [Read more...]