Hopefully after reading our first post on the topic of reconsidering the North American tendency for extra-wide, long boards, you're beginning to doubt the necessity of always ordering large lumber sizes. Certainly, some applications require bigger sizes; however, the current trend toward them has … [Read more...]

In Part 1 we made a case for the practical benefits of Sapele, and we’re guessing that you’re starting to appreciate what so many others have begun to see in this premium African hardwood species. Sustainable and Verifiable Many lumber species that quickly rise in popularity like Sapele fall … [Read more...]

In the world of premium woodworking and construction, few conversations are more common - or more misleading - than the simple request for "top grade" lumber. Whether the species is Teak, Mahogany, or Cherry, the exchange often starts and ends with grade, dimensions, and volume. But seasoned … [Read more...]

We understand that wood pricing sometimes appears to be a puzzle that needs some sort of secret code to solve it. Although the various variables that affect lumber pricing are far from straightforward or constant, the typical buyer can understand them with a little advance research. But because … [Read more...]

Importing lumber can be tricky, especially with all the regulations and obstacles involved. And that’s precisely why J. Gibson McIlvain decided years ago to become an Importer of Record. When you purchase your imported lumber from an Importer of Record, you all but eliminate your chances of buying … [Read more...]

Thanks to current design trends, just about everyone is used to requesting extra-wide, extra-long boards. What’s wrong with that? In short, it leads to waste, because each tree produces a variety of board sizes. But that’s not the only downside: in addition to paying more than you may need to when … [Read more...]

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we’ve begun to explore some of the many ways that extractives affect wood color and can cause staining — as well as how to avoid it. Now we’ll continue our expose of these naturally occurring chemicals with a continuation of the effects of tannins, followed by an … [Read more...]

If you contact any quality lumber supplier and ask about Marine Grade Plywood, you should expect the response to come in the form of several questions. Why? For one thing, there’s not necessarily a consensus among manufacturers about exactly what the designation of “marine grade” actually means. … [Read more...]

Premium tropical hardwoods such as Ipe and Cumaru have earned their reputations as exceptional decking materials because of their density, durability, natural resistance to decay, and ability to perform in demanding exterior environments. Those qualities do not mean, however, that the boards … [Read more...]

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 prepare those same … [Read more...]

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.) Understanding the movement … [Read more...]

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 discussed in Part 1, sap … [Read more...]