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General Wood

Should You Paint Your Wood?

Last updated on April 4, 2014 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

planingFor many, the idea of slathering paint over a beautiful piece of mahogany, rich in red color and unique in characteristics, is enough to make any wood lover cringe. However, in some instances, there is a need to paint wood, but it is important to find the right species, for an interior and exterior project, to paint, as well as the right grade.

In order to protect wood with a sealant or paint, much prep work is needed. Many species that are naturally resistant to weather have oils that will interfere with the oils of primer and paint, making it difficult to paint. For many species, such as a Mahogany or a Western Red Cedar, the product itself is so beautiful that a paint should not be used to cover up the natural characteristics. Instead, a high quality, Grade A lumber free of defects and knots with a consistent color and grain pattern should be sealed with a clear protectant to not only protect it from the outdoor elements, but also to highlight and showcase the natural beauty of the lumber.

carvingFor those who understand the “clear” yield of wood, you know that for every board foot of clear wood, you will end up with 2-3 board feet of less than perfect appearance wood. There is nothing necessarily wrong (structure wise) with this wood. However, appearance wise, it may have knots, sticker stains, inconsistent grain or color, or even sapwood mixture that makes it less than desirable for a clear coating protectant. In turn, this wood ends up set aside in the shop as a by-product necessary in order to yield clear wood.

This byproduct could become the next best thing for your exterior painted project. While you will still have to do much prep work to paint an exterior wood project, it becomes extremely necessary in order for the finish to last for years. While it may take time and money, priming, filling, and sealing your product will prevent an unsightly, uneven finish that will need to be refinished in perhaps just a year’s time. If you are planning to paint an exterior wood anyway, why spend top dollar for Grade-A clear yield that will be covered up anyway? Instead, the byproduct that may have just some physical appearance variations but provides the same structural purpose will provide the same product for less money.

woodworkerIf you are planning to paint the exterior product, it is extremely important to let your distributor know so that they can provide you with the appropriate product. It would be a waste of money and clear product to purchase a Grade-A clear product that deserves to shine with a clear coat and instead, you paint over it. J. Gibson McIlvain Company does not necessarily market a “paint grade” product but can steer you in the right direction to help you complete your exterior painted product in a cost-effective, beautiful way.

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the McIlvain family has been immersed in the premium import and domestic lumber industry. With its headquarters located just outside of Baltimore, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (www.mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods.

As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums. Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.

Filed Under: General Wood

Specialty Softwood Products

Last updated on October 2, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

The same quality that you’ve come to trust when it comes to hardwoods and millwork from J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber now extends to softwoods, including high-end products such as tongue-and-groove Yellow Cedar and Red Cedar bevel-edge siding. These specialty products are dried, moved, stored, and shipped with the specific needs of softwoods in mind. While you can almost certainly find construction-grade softwoods for framing needs available at your local big box retailer, you just as surely will not find the kind of carefully milled and cautiously handled quality that our premium millwork and other softwood products reflect. We at McIlvain firmly believe that we are the nation’s best choice for hardwoods, plywoods, millwork, and now softwoods, too.

Experience and Growth in Softwoods Handling

With more than 200 years of experience in the wholesale lumber business under our belts, McIlvain Lumber ventured into the softwoods market only a decade ago. We quickly learned that softwoods have very different needs from the hardwoods to which we were accustomed.

Early in our softwoods extension, we learned the hard way that we would need a different process and even a separate space reserved for softwoods in order to cater to their unique needs. We added a new softwoods dedicated facility in order to accommodate the needs for more careful handling, and now we take steps like the following to ensure that these more easily damaged lumber products make it to your jobsite in pristine condition:

• Wrapping softwoods in order to keep dirt off finished surfaces
• Keeping softwoods under cover during storage
• Carefully packaging and banding to protect lumber during loading

Those added steps help us make sure that your softwoods products will arrive on your job site, ready for installation, rather than marred from the shipping and handling process.

Quality Softwoods Products for Specialty Applications

When it comes to durability and aesthetics, you really can’t put a price on quality. Both contractors and homeowners alike know that premium materials—including lumber and wood products—are well worth the added expense. Two trending products that we proudly provide are tongue-and-groove Yellow Cedar and Red Cedar bevel-edge siding.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar excels in durability, in part because of its high resistance to damage by termites, fire, rotting, and chemicals. Long used in marine applications, this strong wood species can be used structurally for applications like bridges, while at the same time boasting workability and tight grain patterns that also make it ideal for decorative paneling and cabinetry. With 50-60 annual rings per inch, Yellow Cedar is often used for carvings and other specialty applications.

In addition to tongue-and-groove Yellow Cedar, Western Red Cedar bevel-edge siding is a highly acclaimed and increasingly popular product for home exteriors. With characteristics similar to those of Yellow Cedar, the nearly invisible joints of Red Cedar bevel-edge siding provide both a beautiful appearance and optimal weather resistance. The pieces are thicker on one side than the other and are also smooth on one face but textured on the other face, providing two distinct appearance options for customers who choose this premium softwood product.

For over 200 years, McIlvain Company has been providing some of the nation’s most discerning customers with the highest quality wood in the world. Whether you are in the market for plywood, millwork, domestic or exotic hardwoods or softwoods, or just information for your next project, McIlvain  Company is here to help. As one of the nation’s oldest and most respected lumber importers and wholesalers, McIlvain is your go-to source for all things lumber-related. For more information, to request a free quote, or to search our vast inventory, visit us online today. And for insider tips and woodworking tricks, check out these selections from our blog:

  • Using Decking Lumber as Siding
  • Paint Grade Material
  • New, More Affordable Mahogany Substitute

Filed Under: General Wood, Lumber Companies

Making Sure Your Lumber is Legal

Last updated on September 25, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Illegal wood is a problem that affects all of us. As a buyer, you need a way to know that the wood you are purchasing is, in fact, legally harvested. FSC certification once provided that guarantee, but recent events have caused people to wonder.

In 2011, the Justice Department raided Gibson Guitar Company. In the process of the raid, the government seized shipments of lumber that were believed to be illegally obtained. The company lost millions of dollars, yet the wood in this particular case was FSC certified. It also had all required CITES documentation. Still, the government determined that the lumber was illegally obtained.

So how can those in the market for wood protect themselves? First, they need to realize that the FSC stamp may not provide the full protection they need. The FSC certifies forests, not the harvesting and processing of the wood. FSC certification simply means that the forests are healthy and thriving.

Because we want to be aboveboard, J. Gibson McIlvain  looks for suppliers that offer more than just the FSC guarantee. The Timber Legality and Traceability Verification (TLTV) is one of these. This certification is overseen by the Societe Generale de Serveillance (SGS), and through regular audits and continued monitoring, the SGS verifies a company’s wood production and also its tracking information. This is so thorough that it literally tracks everything a lumber mill does, and this easily weeds out illegal practices. Basically, TLTV takes over in verifying the legality of the wood once it leaves the forest and the protection of FSC oversight.

Harvest, process and export are not all that needs to be overseen, however. Sometimes, companies can legally process and export a tree, without having the legal right to harvest it in the first place. This is where Verification of Legal Origin (VLO), a verification shows that a lumberyard has the right to harvest the tree, comes into play. VLO certification follows the paper trail that proves what forest the wood came from. This does overlap with the FSC certification to some extent, but the added protection is ideal for those companies who want to be certain that they are above reproach.

We also pursue wood with Verification of Legal Compliance (VLC). This looks at the way in which the tree is harvested and makes sure that it is legal. VLC takes into account state and local laws about forestry, which helps to ensure that valuable hardwoods continue to thrive. In most instances, wood with VLC certification is harvested in a low impact way.

In the United States, most companies and consumers rely on FSC certification. While this is good, it may not be enough. Therefore, lumber industry leader McIlvain Company also relies on TLTV, VLO, and VLC to provide consumers and suppliers with further options to ensure the wood they are buying and selling is, in fact, legal.

For over 200 years, McIlvain has been a top player in the lumber wholesale business.  With our centuries of experience, the unmatched expertise of our dedicated order specialists, our vast inventory of domestic and exotic hardwoods and softwoods, our in-house millwork capabilities, and our newly introduced plywood selection, it’s no wonder that we’ve been one of America’s favorite lumber wholesalers since 1798. We offer the highest quality lumber in the business and serve some of the world’s most discerning customers, and  our nationwide shipping ensures that your top quality lumber will arrive on your job site on schedule. For more information on what sets McIlvain apart or to request a free quote, visit our website today, or check out these selections from our lumber blog:

  • Lumber Sustainability and Stewardship
  • How Lumber Built This Country
  • Bruynzeel Marine Grade Plywood

Filed Under: General Wood, Lumber Lingo

How Well Do You Know Your Exotic Hardwoods?

Last updated on September 18, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

You may know Genuine Mahogany and Honduran Mahogany are the same species and that African Mahogany is still genuinely a mahogany. But do you know the difference between Utile and Sipo lumber? If you think you do, you actually don’t: Those names both refer to the exact same exotic species, an increasingly popular African alternative to the higher priced mahoganies. A fourth exotic hardwood species that can be used instead of a mahogany is Sapele. How do these exotic hardwoods compare to one another? Let’s take a look.

African Mahogany

While still part of the mahogany family, African mahogany species vary greatly from one another, all falling under the same genus, Khaya.While some species certainly rival their South American cousins, others are clearly inferior to the so-called “Genuine Mahogany.” Color, workability, density, and finish vary greatly from among species. This great inconsistency means that the price of African Mahogany can be as little as 1/3 the price of its Honduran counterpart. The best application for these species would be paint-grade work.

Sipo or Utile

Flat & Quartersawn Sapele

The names “Sipo” and “Utile” are currently used interchangeably throughout the wholesale lumber industry to describe this species that closely resembles Genuine Mahogany. The wood’s interlocking grain pattern and alternating bands of light and dark coloring are similar but slightly less striking than those of Genuine Mahogany. While slightly softer than Genuine Mahogany, it is harder than African Mahogany.

Utile was once difficult to acquire due to its vulnerability as a species, but more responsible forestry practices have helped it to turn around. J. Gibson McIlvain does extensive on-site research to make sure our wholesale lumber sources and supply chains provide our customers with the highest quality lumber that’s been harvested and transported ethically, legally, and responsibly.

From a woodworker’s perspective, Utile may actually be preferable to Genuine Mahogany, due to its comparative resistance to tearing. Especially when projects will be finished with a clear or semi-transparent stain, such a characteristic can be important. At around half the price, this up-and-coming exotic hardwood is certainly worth considering.

Sapele

Sapele is the most expensive Genuine Mahogany alternative, at 2/3 the price. Its great stability and high density make Sapele an excellent choice. However, its hardness and interlocking grain makes workability difficult and tear out quite common. The ribbon-like striping of quartersawn Sapele has created a unique market for the wood, in addition from its marketability as a lower cost alternative to Mahogany. With the newly heightened demand for Sapele, its price is expected to rise and may eventually mirror the highly priced Genuine Mahogany.

With the recent recession, Genuine Mahogany has been in lesser demand, due to its high price tag. While J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber still carries a large inventory of both Genuine and African Mahogany, we also carry Utile, Sapele, and other alternatives. Our wholesale lumber experts are equipped and willing to discuss your project requirements and help you discover which species will best suit your building needs.

J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber Company

McIlvain is located in the Baltimore, Maryland region and ships wholesale supplies of exotic and domestic hardwoods and softwoods throughout the United States. To learn more about our services, visit our website at mcilvain.com or call us at (800) 638-9100.

From the McIlvain blog:

  • Sapele is the cream of the African Mahogany market
  • Utile is the best Mahogany alternative
  • Plantation Fijian Mahogany could rescue Spanish Cedar users

Filed Under: General Wood

African Lumber Species and Sustainability

Last updated on September 18, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

For exotic hardwood lumber aficionados, African species are part of a bad news/good news scenario. The bad news is that as the available supply of popular South American lumber species such as Genuine Mahogany continues to dwindle, the prices tend to skyrocket. The good news is that several comparable African species are comparatively plentiful. Realizing the problems with the South American lumber market actually makes the African market preferable in many ways.

Even though Africa has become infamous for unethical logging practices regarding expeptionally exotic species, such as Ebony, most African lumber species- species such as African Mahogany, Afromosia, Sapele, Utile, and Wenge- are actually quite well regulated. When you receive your African lumber from a direct importer such as McIlvain Lumber Company, you can be sure that you’re receiving high quality lumber from an exceptionally above-board supply chain. What’s more, you’ll be getting it for the best price possible.

While African exports are generally managed by Europeans, McIlvain Company directly imports the lumber that we sell. If, as with other lumber suppliers, your order has come from Africa by way of Europe, it will have been marked up by each of 3 or 4 middlemen, increasing the price you pay. What this translates into is lower quality lumber for the same price you could pay for the premium lumber supplied through a direct importer like McIlvain. Because we refuse to accept sub-par lumber, you won’t find the least expensive boards at our lumber yard; you will, however, find the best lumber for your money, dollar for dollar and board foot for board foot.

As far as determining the quality of African lumber species, the system is actually better than that of the North American FSC system. Certification programs are strong, as well. Combine that with the quality control practices of McIlvain’s lumber specialists, including on-site evaluation and thorough supply chain research and documentation, and you can be sure that what you’re getting is sustainably grown, ethically harvested, and legally exported.

Concerns over dwindling supply and unethical practices have prompted many woodworkers to shun exotic species. Instead of saving forests, however, decreasing demand for exotic lumbers by avoiding their use actually leads to repurposing of the land.  The people who sell their exotic lumber need a market for their trees; even the most noble forestry management enterprise cannot afford to continue in the forestry business with continually decreasing lumber values.

When markets boycott these exotic lumbers, the result in most cases is that instead of continuing to be used for logging and replanting, the land will instead be burned. Because the landowners need to find a new source of income, they generally choose to destroy their trees to make room for cattle farming and other agricultural pursuits. In fact, cattle ranches are currently the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon.

In order to continue to promote the health of Africa’s rainforests, it is imperative that we continue to support the well-regulated and properly managed lumber sources. Respecting these natural resources means continuing to use them. When you purchase African lumber (or any lumber product) from J. Gibson McIlvain, you can always ask for documentation and concrete assurance of a well-regulated original source and supply chain. This dedication to sustainability and direct sourcing is part of what has kept McIlvain an industry leader for over 200 years. For more information on the lumber industry or McIlvain’s current supply, click here to visit them online, or check out the following selections from their blog:

  • Why McIlvain Lumber Company?
  • Is lumber importing bad for the environment?
  • How lumber built this country

Filed Under: African Mahogany, General Wood

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