In addition to hardness, stiffness, and weight (see Part 1), there are a few more categories useful in comparing Jatoba and Ipe. While both are excellent choices of tropical decking species, Ipe is, by far, the favored one. As Ipe becomes increasingly difficult to source, some builders and customers alike are finding Jatoba to be a suitable Ipe alternative. Others are even finding it preferable to … [Read More...] about Comparing Jatoba and Ipe, Part 2
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Evaluating Lumber Trends: Does Species Make a Difference?
Does wood species really make a difference? We’ll start, again, with the short answer: a resounding … [Read More...] about Evaluating Lumber Trends: Does Species Make a Difference?
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Where Has All the Beautiful Mahogany Gone? Part 2
The shifts in how Genuine Mahogany is sawn and graded is proving disastrous for this once prized … [Read More...] about Where Has All the Beautiful Mahogany Gone? Part 2
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Domestic Species Focus: Western Red Cedar Wood
Tropical decking is definitely in vogue, but you know what? So is Western Red Cedar, a domestic species perfect for other exterior applications. While J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber focuses on multiple hardwood lumber species, we also carry a few exceptional softwood species, and Red Cedar is one of them. Introducing Western Red Cedar Why do people … Continue about Domestic Species Focus: Western Red Cedar Wood
Domestic Species Focus: Walnut Wood
Particularly with design trends relying on extreme colors — extreme lights and extreme darks — American Black Walnut is renewing its place as a favored domestic species. No other North American lumber species can boast the same chocolate-colored heartwood, and even exotic species lack the same unusual beauty that Walnut displays. Since before the … Continue about Domestic Species Focus: Walnut Wood
Domestic Species Focus: Douglas Fir Wood
In addition to the many domestic and exotic hardwood species, tropical decking, and hardwood plywood which we carry, we also supply our customers with some select softwoods species, including Douglas Fir. Particularly for those customers who require timber framing and exposed beams, Douglas Fir has become a favorite species. As the popularity of … Continue about Domestic Species Focus: Douglas Fir Wood
Domestic Species Focus: Cherry Wood
With roots meandering as far back as the Colonial period of America’s history, the J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber enterprise can trace beginnings back to 1740, even before the American Revolution. Just in time for the urban sprawl of Philadelphia and westward expansion of our fledgling nation, Hugh McIlvain established a new lumber business on the banks … Continue about Domestic Species Focus: Cherry Wood
Domestic Species Focus: 3 Types of Maple
Did you know that Maple is the North American lumber species with the most widespread growth range? This remarkable tree can be found in almost every region of our continent, and J. Gibson McIlvain keeps two of the most common species, Hard and Soft Maple, as a regular part of our inventory. We’ll take a look at some of the most significant … Continue about Domestic Species Focus: 3 Types of Maple
Domestic Species Focus: Alaskan Yellow Cedar
Alaskan Yellow Cedar is actually a member of the Cypress family. Like Western Red Cedar, it has become associated with Cedar trees because of its aromatic quality and similar texture. Unlike Red Cedar with its more widespread growth range, Alaskan Yellow Cedar can be easily sourced and matched. Highly available and ideal for a variety of interior … Continue about Domestic Species Focus: Alaskan Yellow Cedar
Domestic Species Focus: 2 Species of Oak
Domestic hardwood lumber species such as Maple and Walnut are certainly part of our nation’s rich history. At the same time, one could argue that Oak is even more representative of our rich lumber heritage. Two specific species, White Oak and Red Oak, are still widely available today, making them both affordable hardwood options for interior and … Continue about Domestic Species Focus: 2 Species of Oak
The Continual Flooring Trend: Real Hardwood Flooring
Interior design trends come and go, some more quickly than others. From architecture and materials to patterns and colors, many styles come and go more quickly than you can hire a decent contractor. Perhaps you’re not one to place yourself at the mercy of trend-setting sources, but you do like to mix it up a little, and your likes and dislikes tend … Continue about The Continual Flooring Trend: Real Hardwood Flooring
Make a Dramatic Statement with Light or Dark Wood Floors
Color trends are important, when it comes to wood floors. Of course, they’re not nearly as important as color trends with other flooring materials, since wood floors can certainly be refinished and stained a different shade, as those trends change. What’s in vogue right now, when it comes to wood flooring colors? It’s all about extremes: dark and … Continue about Make a Dramatic Statement with Light or Dark Wood Floors