About "What the [McIlvain] family does not know about lumber is certainly not worth studying. Some lumbermen come and others go, but the McIlvains go on forever." -The New York Lumber Trade Journal of June 15, 1898 on the hundredth anniversary of the J. Gibson McIlvain Co.- With over 200 years in business, wood is in our blood at J. Gibson McIlvain. As it was in the late … [Read more...] about About
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Cladding Care & Maintenance Guide
Proper maintenance of solid wood cladding is crucial to ensure its longevity, beauty, and continued performance as an exterior finish. By following the steps outlined below, you can protect your investment and keep your wood cladding looking its best. Cladding Installation Best Practices Please be sure to consider the following as it relates to your specific cladding installation. This is an … [Read more...] about Cladding Care & Maintenance Guide
CITES and Lumber Import Regulation
Last week we talked about how the lumber import business is actually keeping the rainforests vibrant and well managed. As lumber importers we need to be very aware of how government regulation will change the way we do business. Not only how processes change, but who is responsible, and liable, for what. Navigating this quagmire is our job as the importer of record, but we also want our … [Read more...] about CITES and Lumber Import Regulation
Dispelling the Myth That Lumber Importing is Bad for the Environment
As an importer of record in many exotic species like Genuine Mahogany, Teak, and Ipe; J. Gibson McIlvain is acutely aware of the stigma attached to rainforest wood species and the spectre of global warming that looms over our industry. The facts are that deforestation is not a result of the lumber import trade, but in many cases caused by the disruption of it. Additionally, regulation … [Read more...] about Dispelling the Myth That Lumber Importing is Bad for the Environment
Wood Color Changes Explained
One thing that is difficult when working with wood is the range of colors you find within a single species. All woods will change color throughout the process from sawmill to finished project. Wood continues to change color years down the road. It fades in the sunlight, but some woods also undergo chemical changes that change the wood color. The one thing you can count on is the color will … [Read more...] about Wood Color Changes Explained
Deck & Dock Builders
Deck & dock builders Best Wood for Decking In the commercial and residential decking market today, there are many options for long lasting, low maintenance, and attractive lumber. J. Gibson McIlvain focuses on the high end decks, docks, rainscreen siding, and ceilings that are synonymous with tropical hardwood decking. Our experience has proven to us that nothing can beat the … [Read more...] about Deck & Dock Builders
The Salk Institute Teak Restoration Project
We are fortunate to get the opportunity to consult on and provide materials for a lot of cool and even historic projects. The Salk Institute in San Diego, designed by reknown architect Louis Kahn in 1965, was just such a project. Kahn's creation of concrete with Teak window walls is striking but in recent years that vision has been blemished by the fungi staining and highly weathered appearance … [Read more...] about The Salk Institute Teak Restoration Project
Yesterday’s Philippine Mahogany is Today’s Meranti
Philippine Mahogany is synonymous with boat building, thanks to the iconic Chris Craft boats from the 1930-60s. So when asked if the species will be good for exterior projects, we answer with a strong yes. Boat building tests wood in a way that nothing else will, so if a particular wood is good enough for that, then trim, windows, or siding have nothing to fear. Times have changed, however, … [Read more...] about Yesterday’s Philippine Mahogany is Today’s Meranti
Wood Dust Toxicity
The first week of May is always Woodworker's Safety Week. Nothing formal, but really the brainchild of woodworking new media savant, Marc Spagnuolo, of The Wood Whisperer. Four years ago, he gathered together as many bloggers he could reach to elevate awareness of safety in woodworking shops everywhere. So this week I want to take a look at a safety issue that is commonly known and heavily … [Read more...] about Wood Dust Toxicity
Water vs Oil Based Exterior Finishes
Even for an experienced woodworker or finisher, oil-based and water-based finishes can easily feel like two different worlds. Whether you're a homeowner planning to spruce up your new deck or a contractor looking for the best finish for your project, understanding the differences between these two types of finishes is essential. In the following sections, we will explore the characteristics and … [Read more...] about Water vs Oil Based Exterior Finishes
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
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
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
Ipe State of the Market
Over the years we have written a lot about the ever changing landscape of not just Ipe but the tropical decking market in general. In the last year many of our predictions and concerns have come to fruition creating a chaotic state of the market. It seems like it is time to discuss the state of the species and what we can expect over the next year with regards to Ipe availability, quality, and … [Read more...] about Ipe State of the Market
Composite Decking Problems and Boardwalks
It seems that every year another boardwalk is being replaced. Whether the catalyst is a hurricane or just age, these monstrous projects keep coming up. When "boardwalk season" comes around, new construction bids and RFQs are on everyone's minds. Unfortunately, pressure is being brought to bear on city planners from environmental lobby groups to use composite decking to rebuild the … [Read more...] about Composite Decking Problems and Boardwalks
How to Prevent Cracks in Your Large Timbers
Easy answer: you can't... That's not entirely true. You could dry the timbers in a vacuum kiln and definitely not use them outside and keep them away from direct sunlight. Probably a good idea to speak in low, soothing tones around those timbers too. I joke, but the reality is that these cracks or checks are just the nature of wood. Checking can be controlled in "regular" sized 4/4 through 8/4 or … [Read more...] about How to Prevent Cracks in Your Large Timbers
Change of Species Changes the Rules
All of us are at the mercy of trends. Whatever is the latest and greatest, we all have to have it. Or we have to redesign our products to embrace that trend. Since we are a large importer of genuine Burmese Teak, we understandably do a lot of business with boat builders. These boat builders almost exclusively use Teak for both exteriors and interior elements of their boats. These days we are … [Read more...] about Change of Species Changes the Rules
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
Spanish Cedar Is Regulated Out of Fashion
Update 9/19/20: Spanish Cedar Plywood Added to CITES Appendix II Long anticipated due to the ongoing shortage and regulation of Spanish Cedar lumber, now the manufactured Spanish Cedar plywood has been added to CITES appendix II. Up until now the distribution of manufacture of the plywood allowed for face veneers to be sourced from both Souther American Spanish Cedar, but also African sourced, … [Read more...] about Spanish Cedar Is Regulated Out of Fashion
Cumaru Wood
CumaruAKA Brazilian Teak Dipteryx odorata Cumaru Decking Cumaru is a South American hardwood that is excellent for decking. It is extremely hard and rot resistant, and one can expect at least a 25 year lifespan when used for your deck. Those same characteristics make Cumaru just an outstanding exterior species in general. We supply it to customers for siding, soffits, or other … [Read more...] about Cumaru Wood