What are you paying for plywood? Ask this question to 10 different people and you will get 10 different answers. You will also find that those 10 people have 10 different products even though they are calling them the same thing. The issue is that plywood grades are just not simple and leave a lot of room for interpretation. This means you can have 2 sheets of plywood with the same grade and … [Read more...] about Vague Plywood Grading Leads to Pricing Confusion
J Gibson McIlvain News Blog
Welcome to our blog where we aim to inform about all things hardwood, plywood, and millwork. As importers of record we will throw in some import and regulation information as well and give you a peek behind the curtain of the lumber industry. Much of the content here is inspired by questions from our customers so feel free to drop us a line and ask a question. If we don't already have an article about it on our site, we may just write one in the future to address it.
Paint Grade Material
For most of us when you think of painting wood you think of Poplar. This is probably the best species around for taking paint well with it's good base color and close pores. Very little if any priming is necessary and the paint flows smoothly across the surface. Plus you just can't beat the price of Poplar! This is great for interior work but once you head outside Poplar … [Read more...] about Paint Grade Material
Lumber Sustainability and Stewardship
Whenever someone learns that I work for a lumber company I am often greeted with questions about where our lumber comes from or how we are coping with waning supply. The general perception is that loggers clear cut every tree in the last 200 years and there are so few trees left that how could an industry such as ours continue to operate. Whether this is because of an exhausted supply or in good … [Read more...] about Lumber Sustainability and Stewardship
Teak Specifications are Different from Other Wood Species
Lumber users have come to expect certain general specifications from their wood such as commonly available lengths and widths. However when talking about Teak those specifications play by their own rules. The reality is that is not so much the tree's natural limitations but the market driven price point that effects how Teak is available. Between sheer distance from forest to lumber yard and … [Read more...] about Teak Specifications are Different from Other Wood Species
Choosing the Best Wood: A Special Customer Request
One of our core value adds here at J. Gibson McIlvain is that we know a LOT about wood. Every day we help our customers pick the best species for their project and advise on care, installation, and maintenance. Recently it seems one of our would- be customers decided to test us to see how good we really are. It was a few weeks ago when one of the jolliest people you have ever heard called in. He … [Read more...] about Choosing the Best Wood: A Special Customer Request
Why J Gibson McIlvain
Over the last 6-8 months I have spoken with many of our customers and our sales staff in an effort to understand our place in the market and why people buy from us. The stories and feedback I got were powerful and helped to crystallize some points that have been running around my head for several months relating to why someone should use J Gibson McIlvain as their wood supplier. In every … [Read more...] about Why J Gibson McIlvain
What Story Does Your Lumber Tell?
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we are thankful for many things at J. Gibson McIlvain. It is a blessing to be surrounded by so much beautiful wood and to be able to work with so many customers who are passionate about what they do. Whether it be boats, homes, or furniture we are all bound together by the medium we work with: wood. So thank you to all our suppliers, partners, and certainly our … [Read more...] about What Story Does Your Lumber Tell?
Value Engineering Millwork and Mouldings
I'm decidedly biased in this statement but I'll say it anyway. Wood is beautiful. Natural wood mouldings make an incredible statement in any home. I think many will agree with me as we are seeing an increase in millwork jobs and the design styles in vogue are starting to feature more natural wood. The issue however is that for several decades the growth of composite and … [Read more...] about Value Engineering Millwork and Mouldings
Fijian Mahogany Alternate to Genuine Mahogany
OK I admit maybe the title of this post is a bit much but there has been a lot written on this blog in the past about finding good alternatives for difficult to obtain and expensive species. Mahogany is often the subject of this search. Since being listed as a CITES protected species, Mahogany availability and price has become an issue. Additionally, the reputation (whether true or not) of … [Read more...] about Fijian Mahogany Alternate to Genuine Mahogany
LEED Certification and Sustainable Lumber
In the construction trade whether commercial or residential, luxury tropical resorts, corporate offices, or single family homes every one is seeing green. The green building movement is here to stay and is only gaining in popularity. The Green Building Council's LEED certification program is adding certain legitimacy to these green construction efforts by awarding levels of certification … [Read more...] about LEED Certification and Sustainable Lumber
Kiln Drying Wood
Wood is an organic and hydroscopic material. Think of it like a bundle of straws. It will take in moisture and expel moisture as the humidity of it's environment changes. The capillary action of the wood takes in the moisture causing the fibers to swell and the wood moves across the grain. It is this essential element of wood that makes working with it so wonderful and at the same time … [Read more...] about Kiln Drying Wood
Ipe Wood Decking Quality Control
We pride ourselves on high standards for quality control. Every stick of lumber we sell has been thoroughly inspected and graded multiple times for stability, appearance, and consistency. In many instances we inspect our lumber with customer specifications in mind to exactly meet the demands of the particular job. Decking products pose a problem however as they are milled and moulded in Brazil … [Read more...] about Ipe Wood Decking Quality Control
Just Because It Is Certified Doesn’t Mean It’s Legal Lumber
Much ink has been spilled in the last week on the raids at the Gibson Guitar factory over "illegal" Indian wood. The most startling element is that the wood in question was FSC® certified and had all of it's CITES documentation. This begs the question, "Do I need alternate or additional certification to protect myself?" This is something that J. Gibson McIlvain has been looking in to … [Read more...] about Just Because It Is Certified Doesn’t Mean It’s Legal Lumber
The Best Decking Materials are Odd Lengths
Several weeks ago we wrote about the issue of thinner and odd thickness stock that the US market demands versus the much larger demand for thicker stock in the rest of the world. This week we will take a look at length of Ipe and similar decking products and how buying odd lengths can end up saving the US buyer money. Less Waste Makes the Best Decking Materials Traditionally, the U.S. … [Read more...] about The Best Decking Materials are Odd Lengths
Ipe Clip: Hidden Fasteners vs Deck Screws
Installing a tropical hardwood deck with a species like Ipe or Cumaru is done the same way as your typical pressure treated Pine or even composite deck: Ipe clip and other hidden fasteners or face screwed. Each deck fastener system method has pros and cons. Face screwing is fast and secure but it leaves exposed screw holes that many find unattractive. Hidden fasteners leave an unblemished … [Read more...] about Ipe Clip: Hidden Fasteners vs Deck Screws
Is There A Shortage on Thinner Exotic Lumber?
4/4 lumber is probably the most common lumber thickness we sell. Lately it seems that an increase in popularity of African exotic species like Sapele, Utile, and African Mahogany (Khaya) has run into shortages in 4/4 thicknesses. This is in no way an indication that these species have limited supply. In fact getting 8/4 and 12/4 lumber is no problem at all. These African trees are plentiful … [Read more...] about Is There A Shortage on Thinner Exotic Lumber?
A Real Life Lacey Act Example
We have mentioned several times that we often visit our lumber mills around the world to ensure quality and legality. On a recent trip to Peru, our exotic buyer, Caroline McIlvain got a look at some beautiful Genuine Mahogany. She also came face to face with a pack of lumber that we bought but was never exported. This was some time ago so all the details are a little fuzzy, but I thought it … [Read more...] about A Real Life Lacey Act Example
Cost of Ipe Decking Price Study
For many people lumber pricing is a mystery. It varies widely from once supplier to another, one week to the next, and even within the same species. So many variables are in play and questions that have to be asked. Board foot or lineal foot? Widths, Thickness, and Length requirements? Specific grade or grain pattern? Delivery or pickup? Milling or moulding needed? All of these elements … [Read more...] about Cost of Ipe Decking Price Study
The Importer of Record
Over the last 4 weeks, we have talked about the regulations, obstacles, penalties, and relationships required to import lumber. It is a bumpy road from forest to your job site and to wrap up our series on lumber importing and the implications to the buyer and the environment, I wanted to offer a solution that should make all of this a whole lot easier. Buy your lumber from the Importer of … [Read more...] about The Importer of Record
The Lacey Act Holds Everyone Responsible for Legal Lumber
Last week we talked about regulating the tropical forests and international organizations like CITES. These factors are important to consider as the lumber is harvested, processed, and exported to the US. Once that lumber hits our shores, a different kind of regulation, called The Lacey Act, kicks in that is unique to the US. This regulation holds everyone in the supply chain … [Read more...] about The Lacey Act Holds Everyone Responsible for Legal Lumber
