A current trend in the lumber industry mirrors the general American ideology that encompasses almost everything except our perspectives regarding our physical bodies: The bigger, the better. People want wood that’s wider and longer than ever before. And it’s not just for those … [Read more...]
Distinguishing Among Mahoganies
In the wake of Genuine Mahogany’s decreased availability and quality, many customers are looking for alternatives. African Mahogany has long been considered a viable alternative, but it’s currently experiencing a different kind of shortage. Once you understand the distinctions … [Read more...]
A Look at African Mahogany Alternatives
With the current shortage of Genuine Mahogany and concerns about quality and grading, one positive side effect is the increased availability and popularity of African alternatives — including, but not limited to, African Mahoganies. Other species that produce long, wide, and … [Read more...]
New Insight on Due Diligence – Lacey Act Compliance
When it comes to Lacey Act compliance, the waters can be more than a little bit muddy. Especially since ensuring your lumber is FSC certified does not equate “due diligence,” then anything to clear up the meaning of the Lacey Act’s requirements can be quite helpful. The Gibson … [Read more...]
Distinguishing Between Plywood Core Types
After literally hundreds of years of building a reputation as a purveyor of high-quality solid hardwoods, several years ago J. Gibson McIlvain ventured into the world of hardwood plywood. A popular manufactured lumber product, plywood can greatly vary in quality. After hearing … [Read more...]
Not All Kiln Dried Lumber is the Same, Part 4
In this final article of our series (see Part 1, 2 & 3), we’ll be making a few more comments about the importance of lowering lumber’s moisture content in order to promote ideal stabilization. Then we’ll attempt to explain why this issue is one that everyone from overseas … [Read more...]
Not All Kiln Dried Lumber is the Same, Part 3
As we’ve attempted to demonstrate in our first two articles (see Part 1 & 2), not all kiln dried lumber has the same moisture content. The numbers can vary significantly based on where the wood originates from and what the typical moisture content standards happen to be for … [Read more...]
Not All Kiln Dried Lumber is the Same, Part 2
In our first article in this series, we explained the different standards for moisture content of kiln dried wood in North America vs. Europe. North American kiln dried lumber is considered acceptable when it’s dried to a moisture content level of 6-8%. The standard European … [Read more...]
Not All Kiln Dried Lumber is the Same, Part 1
If you plan on using lumber for construction, you probably understand the importance of making sure the lumber is properly dried before starting your project. Lumber that isn’t dried correctly can lead to a whole host of problems, such as the appearance of large gaps between … [Read more...]
Plywood Pricing, Grading, Ordering: Know the Basics
Perhaps even more foreboding than lumber pricing and grading in general, are those key issues as they relate to plywood. While it’s completely possible to save money on high-quality solid lumber by carefully choosing unpopular sizes, there’s really no shortcut when it comes to … [Read more...]
