Sometimes, certain lumber species are faddishly popular for no good reason. Not so with Ipe. This remarkable hardwood decking species is truly second to none. Yet it does come with its unique set of potential problems, particularly during the installation process. Most of these are connected to the … [Read more...]

Though the lumber industry has a checkered past marred by corruption and irresponsibility, valiant efforts have been made to better conserve our natural forestry resources for the future. So what should you, whether you’re a contractor, lumber dealer, or consumer, take away from the information … [Read more...]

The lumber industry is unique in many ways. Because we are selling organic materials, no two boards are exactly alike, and so many factors affect a board’s grade and price. Because of those issues, both lumber grading and lumber pricing can be complicated; complexity, however, does not mean random. … [Read more...]

Like many other wood product manufacturers, deck builders will find a wealth of relevant information on the J. Gibson McIlvain website (mcilvain.com). Of course, you can also find an even more extravagant inventory of exotic decking lumber in our lumber yard. We’re passionate about providing you … [Read more...]

Among the many types of builders for whom J. Gibson McIlvain provides lumber, cabinet makers stand to benefit uniquely from our many avenues of lumber supply since we can provide them with not only hardwood lumber, but also with whatever millwork and architectural plywood they might need, all … [Read more...]

With all the tropical decking choices out there on the market, you may wonder which one is best for you (see Parts 1, 2 & 3). The decision will largely depend on your budget, your area’s environmental conditions, and your personal tastes. Make sure that whatever alternative you go with is … [Read more...]

It might seem a bit odd to you that some popular exotic species, such as Mahogany, are actually less expensive than Walnut, but there’s definitely logic behind the pricing of this highly sought-after domestic species - and its unusual downgrading. A lot of it has to do with the natural limitations … [Read more...]

In construction, "value engineering" is sometimes misunderstood. For some, the phrase has become synonymous with cutting costs or eliminating features to stay within budget. When value engineering is approached this way, projects often suffer. Lower-quality materials replace premium ones, … [Read more...]

Choosing the right material for your decking project is an important decision. You want to select something that will last for years and hopefully decades to come. Keeping this goal in mind, it makes sense to invest in a material that’s known to be extremely durable. If you can’t afford the … [Read more...]

Whether you’re an architect, an interior designer, a builder or simply an observant individual, you know how significantly moulding can impact the appearance of a room. A well-designed, flawlessly-implemented moulding can provide the perfect finishing touch, while a poorly designed or executed one … [Read more...]

There’s no doubt about it — there’s a lot to love about Ipe! But this premium tropical decking species comes with a few extra challenges you’ll want to know about before you install your first Ipe deck. As long as you anticipate these differences that come with working with such an extremely hard, … [Read more...]

No matter what kind of end product you’re building, by partnering with J. Gibson McIlvain you’ll receive even more than the lumber you purchase. You’ll also be receiving a wealth of information and insight that comes from a family-owned business that has been in the lumber industry for generations, … [Read more...]

In our first article in this series, we pointed out the fact that many people have an inaccurate picture of what goes on in today’s lumber industry. Their ideas are, understandably, negatively impacted by the harmful and unsustainable practices of past centuries. It’s important not only from a … [Read more...]

When it comes to constructing a deck, you want to use a material that’s as durable and stable as possible. That way, it will be able to withstand the dramatic climatic changes and harsh weather conditions which it will constantly be exposed to throughout the year. This is especially true when you … [Read more...]

As a boat builder, you are probably aware that J. Gibson McIlvain imports more FEQ Teak lumber than almost any other lumber supplier in the U.S. Because of that fact, we have established a reputation with luxury boat builders, having supplied them with the golden Teak with consistent grain that they … [Read more...]

The color change of Cherry isn’t the only one that has mystified many. Teak, Purpleheart, and Mahogany are some other special cases. We’ll look at how those unique species change color later on, but first we’ll consider exactly what contributes to the kind of extreme color change that Cherry and … [Read more...]