Many people who choose to work with wood do so because of the natural beauty of this organic material. It comes in a variety of different hues from light yellows to rich reds to deep browns and even purples. Though the natural look of wood is charming, there are some applications where you may desire […]
Lumber
Utile/Sipo: Affordable Alternative to Genuine Mahogany
As prices climb for certain exotic hardwood species and availability becomes scarce or even nonexistent, alternatives to these species begin to grow in popularity. A species of wood known interchangeably within the lumber industry as either “Utile” or “Sipo” has found a growing market as an alternative to Genuine Mahogany. This Mahogany-like species originates in […]
How Lumber Imports Help Rainforest Conservation Efforts, Part 2
It has been said that a halftruth is often more dangerous than a lie. That’s because a halftruth is able to deceive more people, since it usually has a grain of truth in it. While it is true that there have been some abuses by irresponsible rogue rainforest logging operations, for the last several decades […]
How Lumber Imports Help Rainforest Conservation Efforts, Part 1
Lumber importers who deal in exotic hardwoods have often been unfairly painted with a broad brush by environmentalists. They portray us as uncaring ogres who are all too willing to strip the rainforests bare in selfish pursuit of profits. This caricature of our entire industry is far from the truth. In this two-part article series, […]
How Extractives Impact the Color & Stain of Wood – Part 3
We’ve already explored the impact of weeping sap, rot-resistant extractives, and tannins on wood (see Part 1 & 2). In this final article of our series, we’ll take a look at the way oxidizing chromophores affect the appearance of wood. Oxidizing Chromophores can dramatically change the color of lumber boards. Chromophores are molecules located in […]
How Extractives Impact the Color & Stain of Wood – Part 2
It’s no secret that extractives can play a major part in protecting wood from the elements. Those same extractives can also cause complications when it comes to using the wood in various projects (see Part 1). In this article, we’ll take a look at the effects of two more types of extractives on wood stain […]
How Extractives Impact the Color & Stain of Wood – Part 1
Extractives are chemicals that are present in each species of wood. Their purpose is to help make the wood less susceptible to rotting or getting damaged by the elements. Some extractives, like Maple Syrup and Turpentine, have been harvested and put to good use. Other extractives are purposefully left in the wood in order to […]
The Color of Quality Decks: Addressing Natural Color Variation
Color matching can be a tricky subject when it comes to lumber, in general, and to tropical decking lumber, in particular. To some degree, it boils down to expectations, and we’ll discuss that. But there are also steps you can take in order to achieve a closer color match as you prepare for and install […]
The Color of Quality Decks: Realizing the Beauty of Truly Green Building Products, Part 2
We hope that you’ll agree with us that even more important than the actual color of decking lumber is the fact that it’s a truly green building product! In addition to the lumber industry’s capitalizing on lumber’s renewable nature through responsible replanting practices and contribution to forest health through adding commercial value to forests, the […]
The Color of Quality Decks: Realizing the Beauty of Truly Green Building Products, Part 1
As much as we love the rich reddish brown color of Ipe and the golden beauty of Teak, the true value of tropical hardwood decking lumber is found in a different kind of color consideration: it’s green. As a society that increasingly understands and appreciates both diversity and environmentally responsible practices like using sustainable, renewable […]
Excellent Tropical Hardwood Decking Species: 4 Options You’ll Adore
After our top 3 best-selling tropical hardwood decking species, you still have plenty of lesser-known options that are nearly as fabulous! They’re just not as popular as our front runners. Many boast some of the same prize-winning characteristics, and here at J. Gibson McIlvain, we’re glad to recommend them to you as alternative hardwood decking […]
Better Than Composite Decking: The Real Deal, Part 6
We’ve said it all along: Composite Decking has a big leg up on its competition, Exotic Hardwood Decking, in that it is far more realistic to color match. At the same time, though, it will become bleached over time, and you won’t have the option of refinishing it or replacing any boards that are subjected […]