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...]

Lumber drying is one of the most important factors in achieving high-quality lumber that will perform well during and after installation. In many ways, it’s even more important than species or grade. Air drying is one drying method which we looked at in a previous article. Many … [Read more...]

Do you know what aspect of your lumber is perhaps more important than its species, its origin, and even its grade? The answer is the way the lumber has been dried. No matter how wonderful your lumber was for starters, if it’s dried too quickly, it can become worthless. But the … [Read more...]

Hopefully after reading Part 1, you’re starting to realize why lumber suppliers are hesitant to list pricing in a straightforward format. So much goes into determining exactly what your lumber order will cost. In addition to grade and board size, the origin of your lumber plays a … [Read more...]

I get it, I really do. You ask a simple question like, “How much will my lumber cost,” and you don’t get a simple answer. You grow frustrated, untrusting. After all, most industries indulge your desire for straightforward pricing. Why does the lumber industry take exception to … [Read more...]

Both consumers and producers are at the mercy of trends. Consumers often feel the need to upgrade or update everything from their technology to their wardrobes, based on current trends. Producers often redesign or rebrand products in order to gain alignment with trends. The … [Read more...]

Today’s homeowners and business owners care about their carbon footprint and are increasingly concerned with green building and LEEDS ratings. This trend makes environmentally responsible practices increasingly important to builders. As a result, new products are constantly … [Read more...]

The drying process is fairly straightforward, yet many lumber suppliers are willing to cut corners in order to respond to customer demands for less expensive lumber. Improperly dried lumber usually isn’t easy to identify until after installation — and that’s never a good thing. … [Read more...]

Whether it’s domestic or exotic lumber, locally harvested or imported, we essentially use the same mode of operation to get the moisture levels to where they need to be. Of course, depending on whether a given board is starting out at 35% or 15% moisture content will make a big … [Read more...]

In any discussion of wood movement or gaps between decking boards, knowledge about the wood drying process — and the nature of how wood naturally soaks up and sheds moisture — is often assumed. Wood is hygroscopic by nature, as described in this video by Wood Work Web; the … [Read more...]

Providing quality hardwood and softwood lumber since 1798, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company is no stranger to the lumber industry. Offering custom millwork is one of the services we’ve been offering for over 100 years. Since we opened our first mill in the early 1900s, our … [Read more...]

Known for its strength and stability, plywood is manufactured from thin sheets of veneer wood and a binding element. This layering process is what gives plywood its exceptional strength. Typically manufactured in a 4’ X 8’ sheet, plywood can come in a variety of widths from 1/4 … [Read more...]

So far in our series, we’ve discussed the journey your decking boards take from the forest to the job site, as well as some ways to prepare the boards upon arrival (see Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4). Any discussion of this topic would be incomplete without covering one of the most basic … [Read more...]