Teak

Evaluating Lumber Trends: Does Species Make a Difference?

Last updated on November 18, 2015 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Does wood species really make a difference? We’ll start, again, with the short answer: a resounding YES! We ended the previous post in this series on lumber trends by recommending that designers and architects keep the “undiscovered gold” of short boards in mind. Now, we’re going to take it a step further and discuss how keeping species in view during the design phase is absolutely crucial.

Imagine creating a plan for a structure made from popsicle sticks when only toothpicks were available, and you’ll get the basic idea. Such has been the case for boat builders who are used to working with Teak but receiving requests for other species, such as Walnut. It is possible, but some re-designing will be needed.

First, you need to know a little bit about Walnut — or whatever other species you are planning to use. With Walnut, in particular, there are some peculiarities of size and grading that require careful consideration. Your customer will probably come to you with a species request, enthusiastic about trying something different. Listen and take notes, but don’t make any promises. If the species is unfamiliar to you, you’ll need to do a little homework before you can respond. If they and you are used to working with Teak, you may know the sizes and grades of availability for that species; however, you may be completely in the dark about how other species run.

Education is a good thing, and here at J. Gibson McIlvain lumber company, we’re always glad to share our lumber knowledge and expertise with our customers. As you grow in your understanding of the particular species, you may be frustrated, at first. (After all, you may find out you have only toothpicks with which to build something designed with popsicle sticks.) As you adjust your expectations, though, and become increasingly open to how the job can be redesigned with a different species in mind, you may be surprised!

With the shift from Teak to Walnut, the necessity of having to work around knots can be quite a challenge. But a challenge doesn’t mean impossibility. When you’re willing to think outside the box — or, rather, around the defects — you’ll eliminate waste of both clear lumber and added funds. Even if you’re used to working with Teak (and the high prices that come with it), you’ll no doubt be impressed at how a little value engineering can affect your bottom line. Even if pricing isn’t a factor for you or your customer, clear Walnut is simply difficult to source, so designing with it in mind will only lead to disappointment down the road.

When you as the customer are open about your lumber needs with your lumber supplier, the education process goes both ways. When we know what customers need, we can more specifically source the lumber that will meet their needs. If we know that many prefer a higher grade of Walnut, for instance, we can justify keeping it in stock. We can also instruct an individual grader about the specific requirements for a particular customer’s order, making sure to keep exactly what that customer needs on hand.

Moulding quality control at J Gibson McIlvain

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.

Burmese Teak vs. Plantation Teak

Last updated on January 19, 2015 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

While the most recent issues regarding sourcing Burmese Teak may be good news for home builders, the constantly volatile lumber regulations on Myanmar certainly has lovers of Teak concerned.

J. Gibson McIlvain continues to source only authentic Burmese Teak, rather than Plantation Teak. We believe that the Burmese variety displays the superior coloring and vertical grain which we know the marine industry requires.

At the same time, though, we truly believe in educating ourselves and our customers about lumber and the industry. We are also open to change and continue to learn and grow ourselves. So just because we aren’t currently open to sourcing Plantation Teak doesn’t mean we never will.

Three year old plantation Teak in Panama

Excessive Knots & Inconsistent Coloring

To date, we have visited several Teak plantations and have examined the quality of the Teak wood which they produce. We have found the coloring to be quite inconsistent.

It seems that this problem is due to the rapid growth rate and lack of a forest canopy, which tends to result in the formation of a higher percentage of lower branches than Teak trees typically produce in natural forests.

Even though the branches on Teak plantations are typically pruned regularly, the resulting pin knots interrupt the flow of the grain and create water traps. These issues, of course, reduce the weather resistant properties of Teak, making Plantation Teak unsuitable for marine applications.

Different Soil Chemistry

In addition to the issues created by the plantation situation, in general, the location of the plantations create another issue. While the trees are still genuine Teak, the soil chemistry in the areas of the plantations has a very different soil chemistry than that which is found in Myanmar.

This difference translates into a lower percentage of silica. Since the typically high silica content of Teak is what makes it repel water, the soil chemistry leads to a less resilient board.

The climate variations found on the Teak plantations produce a less consistent board, when it comes to coloring and grain, as well.

Addressing Sustainability

Since our customers are looking for consistent coloring, straight and clear grain, and weather resistance, we currently believe that Burmese Teak is our only true option when it comes to quality Teak wood for marine applications.

While we’re mindful of the sustainability issues that drive the movement toward Plantation Teak, we believe that properly managing the existing natural Teak forests is a better long-term solution. We ensure that the mills from which we buy Teak (as well as any other species) use sustainable practices. In addition, stringent governmental regulations disallow irresponsible harvesting, anyway.

We’re committed to continuing to provide our customers with top-notch Teak that’s responsibly and legally harvested. If someday that means Plantation Teak is an option, so be it. But for now, we truly believe that Burmese Teak is our only option, so we will continue to try to source as much as possible and monitor the quality to meet the needs of our valued customers.

Dried lumber grading at J Gibson McIlvain Lumber Company

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.

Good News for Home Builders: Teak Is Waiting for You

Last updated on July 17, 2014 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Logging bans and increased export regulations can affect the lumber market in interesting ways, and the changes in Myanmar are no exception to that rule. In this instance, the benefit falls in favor of home builders who use Teak: This formerly hard-to-obtain wood just became easier to source.

Summary

If you know anything about the Teak market, it’s primarily driven by boat builders. As you might expect, the boat-building industry has extremely high standards for the Teak that they can use, due in part by the weather their products must endure and in part by the high-end pricing of their products. The large volume of Teak that must be imported in order to provide enough high-quality Teak for the boat builders includes plenty of Teak unusable to boat builders. That “leftover” Teak is here in the U.S., ready to go for home builders.

High Quality “Leftovers”

The Teak that’s unusable for boat builders is not necessarily low quality, nor even of lesser quality than what the boat builders have chosen from the shipment. Sometimes, boat builders just have specific requirements in view, requiring especially long or wide boards or only boards with a particular grain pattern. (For instance, boat steps will require an easy-to-match vertical grain pattern for each step.)

Sometimes the boat builder will use only 1 in every 10 boards, depending on how specific his needs are. The remaining FEQ Teak looks great and is available to you. Other times, a small pin knot can determine a board’s unsuitability for sea, but for many land-loving applications, it will work just fine. The knot can often be easily cut out, if you don’t need a very long cut. Typically, any of this “leftover” Teak would be considered above-grade for all other industries, too.

Lesser Grades and European Sizes

Of course, not all Teak is going to be FEQ. Some will be rejected, because they are of lesser grades, since most shipping containers include a percentage of B grade material. The price break really won’t be that significant (maybe 10%), but that lesser grade Teak lumber is also here, not across the globe nor with a 10 months wait before it’s here. As home builders and those in other industries continue to take an interest in Teak, we’ll be able to continue to offer greater variety.

For instance, we currently reject many narrow pieces which are readily accepted in Europe (and which are perfect for trim and paneling). As we continue to see growing interest in Teak from home builders and others outside the boat-building industry, we as importers can expand the sizes of Teak we purchase, increasing our customers’ options. We look forward to seeing the U.S. Teak market continue to grow and our inventory correspondingly grow to accommodate these changes.

At J. Gibson McIlvain, we anticipate market trends and spend time evaluating what it will mean for the lumber industry, at large, and for our customers, in particular. We make it our business to make recommendations based on a wide body of information, and our long-time customers expect such thorough service. We look forward to offering you the same kind of quality lumber and service that we’ve been known to offer, for centuries.

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.

Teak Flooring

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

Finishing a beautiful kitchen remodel with a gorgeous floor brings full richness to the new room. Teak is an especially good choice for flooring applications because it carries a perfect combination of beauty and strength. Decorative shelving, outdoor furniture, boat building, and indoor adornments are all popular uses for this lumber. Likewise, domestic and commercial flooring are wonderful applications for teak.

Durability

The durability of teak has made it a sought-after commodity for indoor flooring. Trend-setting homes and remodeled houses all have rooms with a lot of traffic. The kitchen, for example, is used every single day, along with hallways, bedrooms, and living rooms. Using a lumber like teak means the beauty of the wood will withstand this high traffic. Teak will not crack, stain, rot, or scratch easily at all, unlike some other hardwoods that can betray the amount of traffic that passes through a room. Boat builders have long used teak in their boats, and if teak can withstand the salty, wave-tossed conditions of the open water, it will certainly hold its own in even the busiest kitchens.

Strength

Many hardwoods are used for flooring, but teak is sought out especially for its strength. All lumber undergoes hardness testing, as this allows lumber companies like J. Gibson McIlvain to sell the wood for the correct application. Oak is the classical choice for high traffic flooring because of its durability, but teak ranks much higher than oak in all hardness tests, meaning it’s more durable. Therefore, teak will stand up to galloping pets, roughhousing children, and even high heeled shoes better than other types of wood. The modern home needs durable, beautiful flooring. The modern home needs teak.

Beauty

The warm tones of teak lumber range from golden reddish hues to a time-tested golden brown, and the lumber’s tight grain patterns display the colors beautifully. Teak’s beauty ensures that it will be a great choice for any room of the house, complementing any decor and adding a touch of elegance to every area of the home.

Low Maintenance

Adhering to a maintenance routine will only retain the newly sawn coloring of teak. This wood’s structural integrity and stability are not affected by lack of maintenance, which is great news for homeowners who want a low maintenance wood. Teak used in outdoor applications will fade to a silver shade without treatment, but many homeowners actually prefer this silvery-gray patina. For homeowners who feel the need, oiling is the preferred method of treatment for this wood, as staining, a nearly irreversible process, will erase the grain pattern for a uniform color.

Lastly, teak has a natural non-slip surface. Old growth teak contains softer growth bands, and these bands in the wood make the surface of the floor less slippery. Again, over maintenance of teak lumber can actually harm the wood, as sanding and harsh cleaning compounds will compromise this unique non-slip characteristic. The natural oils of the wood are enough maintenance for most floors.

Premier First European Quality (FEQ) teak is the highest grade available, known for its consistent grain patterns and stunning color. J. Gibson McIlvain carries FEQ and prices old growth teak from Southeast Asia in their lumberyards. With over 200 years of experience as a leader in the lumber industry, McIlvain is better qualified to help you than any other lumber company. For more information on why McIlvain is an American favorite, visit their website, or check out these selections from their lumber blog:

Teak Lumber – Applications & Wholesale Supplier Info

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

Teak lumber is incredibly stable and durable, and, as a result, it is very popular for use in construction projects in the boating industry. The wood holds its shape very well, and this makes Teak lumber a great choice for yacht building projects, as well as a wide range of other projects and applications in which the lumber used must perform well under harsh conditions and within tight tolerances.

With Teak, as with all other types of lumber, there are varying degrees of quality among the boards and sources. First European Quality (FEQ) Teak is prized among wood experts and average homeowners alike for its consistent coloration and grain patterns, so high quality lumber wholesalers like McIlvain Company therefore take great care to source their lumber from only the most proven and reputable sources. McIlvain, for example, only purchases its Teak lumber from old growth sources located in Southeast Asia, and there is a very logical reason for this choice of location, a reason which stems from the natural characteristics of Teak lumber: Teak wood naturally has a very high silica content, largely as a result of the sandy soil in which it is grown, and this silica content penetrates the fibers of the growing trees. This process makes the lumber nearly waterproof, which is one of the many reasons it is so popular in the boating industry and other outdoor applications. Old growth Teak like that sourced from the region preferred by McIlvain has a much higher silica content and is therefore naturally of a much higher quality than the cheaper Teak grown in plantations.

Adding to the durability of Teak lumber are the naturally occurring oils which serve to protect the wood. These oils effectively repel insects and also increase the wood’s natural ability to resist attacks by mold and fungus.

In addition to its natural durability, Teak is also prized for its beautiful appearance. The wood has a wonderful golden brown color, although when freshly machined its pattern can sometimes be somewhat variable. However, over time and if allowed to remain exposed to sun and air, the wood’s streaks have the tendency to mellow a bit and assimilate into the signature coloration of the rest of the wood.

Teak’s beautiful appearance, combined with its remarkable durability in terms of stability, ability to repel water, and resistance to insect attacks, make it a fantastic choice for projects across a wide range of applications.

Learn more about Teak: