If you’re getting ready to install a deck, you’ll probably find that figuring out how far apart to space your boards is one of the most challenging parts of the process (see Part 1 & 2). There are a whole host of factors that come into play when making your final decision. … [Read more...]

When it comes to contemporary limitations of in-demand species like African Mahogany, many people believe that lumber shortages are always caused by unsustainable forestry or a lack of natural resources. The Mahogany scarcity, like the Poplar crisis, is caused by factors within … [Read more...]

Like most tall tales, there's a kernel of truth at the root of all lumber lore. That is absolutely the case in the event of lumber shortages: Overharvesting and other concerns related to unsustainable forestry management have historically been key contributors. Recent shortages … [Read more...]

Decking installation is both a science and an art. Besides picking wood that is going to look attractive, you have to consider how well it’s going to hold up over time. One of the main factors to think about is wood shrinkage and expansion as it relates to deck board spacing (see … [Read more...]

Perhaps no other misconception about the lumber industry is as widespread - or as false. Perhaps it would be true, or might be true, in a hypothetical world where money grew on trees - except that money could only be accessible by damaging the trees from which the paper came to … [Read more...]

Whenever you receive an order for a deck installation, your customer probably has some pretty lofty expectations. Often, they’ll assume that you’re able to install a deck with little to no gap between the boards, and that once the deck is installed, the boards will stay in place … [Read more...]

J. Gibson McIlvain is a timber importer which sources lumber from all around the world. Each geographical area and individual lumber mills have their own distinct methods of operation when it comes to pre-drying their wood. While most imported timbers are dried to a moisture … [Read more...]

As an organic material, wood is hygroscopic by nature. Imagine a bundle of straws, and you’ll have an understanding of the structure of lumber. The capillary action allows the wood to take in moisture, causing fibers to swell. The outcome is grain movement in the wood. … [Read more...]

Wide plank flooring. It’s definitely in vogue for high-end construction and remodeling. And it’s gorgeous. But as attractive as wide plank flooring is, it’s equally difficult to achieve: sourcing, milling, and accounting for movement issues all combine to make installing … [Read more...]

If you haven't already read about the lumber lore regarding the beginnings of fraction-based lumber thickness descriptions, you’ll want to first do that.  Now regardless of how plausible you think that story is, at least you’re starting to understand what a fractional designation … [Read more...]

We at J. Gibson McIlvain, as a renowned wholesale lumber distributor, do our best to maintain enough of popular products like Ipe decking on hand. The traditional notions of supply and demand, on the other hand, have a significant impact on our price. We'd like to give you a … [Read more...]

J. Gibson McIlvain continues to live up to its industry-wide reputation, but it owes its current prominence to its pre-Revolutionary War antecedents. The McIlvain family has owned and controlled one of America's finest lumber suppliers since before the country's States were even … [Read more...]

There’s no doubt about it: lumber is really of the greenest building materials on the market. But don’t expect to get LEED points for just any lumber. In order for the Green Building Council’s program to award points for lumber though, it has to be FSC-certified lumber. Despite … [Read more...]

Remember learning all about fractions in elementary school? You always had to reduce them to mixed numbers and all of that. Mrs. McGuffy was a stickler about it. You can still remember her deep red pen markings all over your math page, reminding you. Well, forget it. All of it. … [Read more...]

Are you starting to understand why lumber suppliers have no choice but to seem like wishy-washy politicians, when asked about lumber pricing? When we say “it depends,” there’s a lot behind our words. From grade and board size to seasonal and geographic issues, Part 1 and Part … [Read more...]