Be aware that Lacey Act legislation applies to all lumber species, not just those protected by CITES. If the offending party is not in the U.S., the Lacey Act may be unable to hold them accountable; however, if you’re the first player in the U.S., you may be the one … [Read more...]
Guide to Domestic Hardwoods: Hard and Soft Maple
The great diversity of American forests can be credited to temperate climates, and because of the special conditions that contribute to thriving hardwood forests, most of them grow in the Eastern U.S. Of course, that comes in handy for us here at J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber, since … [Read more...]
Guide to Domestic Hardwoods: Red Oak and White Oak
North American forests are home to more than 20 unique species, and J. Gibson McIlvain keeps an inventory of the 5 species that make up 75% of domestic hardwoods. Whether you’re looking for hardwoods for flooring, cabinetry, furniture, or millwork, we won’t be surprised if one of … [Read more...]
The Secrets to Installing Wide Plank Flooring, Part 3
Don’t let wide plank flooring's current popularity lead you to believe that it’s easy to achieve. Choosing, sourcing, and preparing wide plank lumber for installation is the easy part; the installation itself is pivotal. Because every step along the way to achieving a wide plank … [Read more...]
The Secrets to Installing Wide Plank Flooring, Part 2
Once you’ve determined your wide plank lumber species and size, it’s time to prepare those floor boards for installation. While these steps are similar to those you’d go through with any lumber, greater widths require extra care and consideration. Special Considerations for … [Read more...]
How to Properly Space Decking Boards, Part 3
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...]
How to Properly Space Decking Boards, Part 2
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...]
How to Properly Space Decking Boards, Part 1
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...]
The Secrets to Installing Wide Plank Flooring, Part 1
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...]
What Lumber Customers Need To Know: What’s With the Fractions? Pt 2
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...]
