Once we understand the reality that wood moves, we can appreciate the significance of proper drying. After that, we can see the need for slow and steady air drying that flies in the face of our have-it-now culture. When quality is desired above speed, however, there is no … [Read more...]
The Importance of Slow & Steady Air Drying for Lumber
Because of the reality of wood movement and the potential problems tied to improperly dried wood, proper drying is an extremely important component in high-quality lumber. At J. Gibson McIlvain, we’re serious about achieving quality, and part of that is taking the time to ensure … [Read more...]
The Wonder of Lumber: What’s the Deal with Shortages of 4/4 Lumber? (Cont)
If you read the first post in this series, you realize that 4/4 lumber is essentially a U.S. product. As a result, most mills around the world saw 8/4 and thicker boards. Adding an extra bump in the road, U.S. window and door manufacturers don’t like using 4/4 or 8/4 lumber. Like … [Read more...]
The Wonder of Lumber: What’s the Deal with Shortages of 4/4 Lumber?
Like short lumber and odd-length decking, 4/4 lumber is kind of a U.S. thing. It’s definitely the most popular thickness we sell. Other markets are willing to accept a greater variety of widths, so mills outside the U.S. are used to turning out a variety of widths. Because … [Read more...]
The Wonder of Lumber: What’s the Deal with Short Lumber?
First, let’s define exactly what we mean when we use the term “short lumber.” Here in the U.S. lumber industry, “short” is used to describe the entire category of boards that fall below the 8-foot length. Most of them are actually longer than 7 feet, and the rest are typically 6 … [Read more...]
The Wonder of Lumber: What’s the Deal with Odd-Length Decking?
Like short lumber is for all imported lumber, odd-length decking is a by-product of exotic decking lumber: It’s here, it’s perfectly good lumber, and most builders are afraid to touch it. Will you dare to be different? Keep reading to find out what’s in it for you, if you … [Read more...]
Teak Wood Color Changes Explained, Part 2
In our first article in this series, we discussed the tendency of Teak wood to change color. Unlike some other species of wood, the changes in Teak tend to be pretty dramatic from the time it is freshly milled to the weeks and months following its installation. This change from … [Read more...]
Teak Wood Color Changes Explained, Part 1
Besides its durability and water-resistant nature, Teak has long been prized for its beautiful golden brown color. If you’re very familiar with Teak, however, you know that it doesn’t start out with that signature color. Teak lumber can actually go through many significant color … [Read more...]
Plywood Problems: Why Counting Plies Doesn’t (Necessarily) Determine Quality
Unlike hardwood grading, plywood grading falls short of indicating the actual quality of a sheet of plywood. In an attempt to find a simple way to help determine the quality of a sheet of plywood, many would like to reduce the entire issue to the number of plies. While we can … [Read more...]
Plywood Problems: Introduction to Veneer Core
The McIlvain lumber legacy certainly enhances our relatively recent dive into the unique branch of the lumber industry that is plywood. We made that leap in response to our customers’ frustration with the plywood market in general: the quest for quality plywood can be difficult. … [Read more...]
