J. Gibson McIlvain has a long, rich history of selling lumber to furniture makers. In fact, our relationship with them marks the start of the McIlvain lumber legacy, dating back over 200 years. While we’ve expanded into other markets, some aspects of our business, like our unwavering commitment to … [Read more...]
Wide Plank Flooring Basics: Getting the Right Boards
Wide plank flooring is a hot commodity in the high-end remodeling and construction industry presently. Planks a foot or more wide are often needed in larger rooms in order to appear in proper proportion to the area — unless your room happens to be a bowling alley, that is! Of course, the trend … [Read more...]
Buyer’s Guide to Premium Plywood
As we discussed in a previous post, issues relating to the ideal number of layers in plywood hail back to the glue. Glue issues, in turn, typically hinge more on the application than the glue itself, making consistency and quality control in the manufacturing process incredibly key. The hard part? … [Read more...]
Expert Installation Tips: Wide Plank Flooring, Part 2
Wide plank flooring can definitely provide a striking look for high-end residential and commercial projects! In Part 1, we discussed how wide-plank flooring (especially the kind that’s made from extra-wide planks in widths over 8 inches) presents some unique challenges. From species limitations to … [Read more...]
Expert Installation Tips: Wide Plank Flooring, Part 1
Wide plank flooring can certainly offer a striking addition to your next build! Particularly suited to large rooms in today’s high-end residential and commercial construction and remodeling industry, planks topping 12 inches in width are becoming increasingly popular. However, any boards wider than … [Read more...]
Understanding FSC Certification & Responsible Forestry
When people shop for hardwood lumber or specify materials for an architectural project, they often encounter terms like sustainably sourced, responsibly harvested, or FSC Certified. These phrases appear on websites, product literature, and construction specifications, but they are not always clearly … [Read more...]
Is Buying Exotic Lumber Bad for the Environment? Part 3
Hopefully, you’re convinced that buying imported lumber is actually beneficial for the environment and that thanks to CITES regulations, it’s become very difficult to illegally harvest and export lumber. But how can you be absolutely certain that the imported lumber that you purchase has been … [Read more...]
Tips & Tricks for Color Matching Lumber – Part One
Perhaps you’ve been dreaming of installing a deck with boards that are completely consistent in color. This would be the type of deck you’d see pictured in a high-end home magazine or featured in a home improvement store’s showroom floor. If that’s your ultimate goal, don’t be surprised if turning … [Read more...]
Is Buying Exotic Lumber Bad for the Environment? Part 2
As we discussed in a previous post, the lumber industry is not the culprit many people assume it to be when it comes to deforestation. While the lumber industry does contribute to 2-3% of deforestation along the Amazon, logging bans essentially contribute to at least 85% of it! As a lumber importer … [Read more...]
How Lumber Is Graded: Inside the NHLA System
When purchasing hardwood lumber, most people naturally focus on species, color, grain, and price. But behind every high-quality hardwood board is another critical factor that heavily influences appearance, usability, yield, and value: grading. Lumber grading helps establish expectations for the … [Read more...]
What Any Decking Lumber Needs Before it’s a Finished Product, Part 1
Did you know that decking lumber isn’t actually a finished product? Sure, decking boards come to you planed on 4 faces and typically have sharp corners already eased (commonly abbreviated as S4S, E4E). If you’re using a clip system, your boards will also have a groove already routed out along the … [Read more...]
Why Value Engineering Makes Sense – and Cents
One of the most important things to remember when designing with lumber is also one of the easiest to overlook: wood is not a made-to-order raw material. A manufacturer can produce steel, plastic, glass, or an engineered product according to tightly controlled dimensions. A tree grows according … [Read more...]
Challenges & Benefits of Working with American Black Walnut Wood
American Black Walnut wood, scientifically known as Juglans nigra, is one of the most loved native hardwoods in the United States. With its widespread utilization in furniture crafting, wood turning, wood carving, and panel veneering, this prime species possesses charm and high performance. Despite … [Read more...]
When Plywood Quality Comes Unglued
There’s no question about it: Plywood pricing and grading can be confusing. The core matters, when it comes to finding quality plywood. It’s not just the materials that comprise the core, but the number of plies and quality of glue that makes a difference. Let’s read between the layers and take a … [Read more...]
How to Choose the Right Lumber for Your Next Construction Project
Choosing the right lumber is one of the most important decisions in any construction or architectural project. Whether you’re building a custom home, designing a commercial space, or crafting high-end millwork, the materials you select will directly impact durability, appearance, performance, and … [Read more...]
Decking Board Fastener Pros & Cons – Part 2
If you’re installing a new deck and you’d like it to have a state-of-the-art appearance, you may want to consider hidden deck fasteners. This relatively new method is often used in deck construction for high-end properties. Hidden deck fasteners are normally made from materials such as powder coated … [Read more...]
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