In the past decade or so since J. Gibson McIlvain added softwoods to its impressive inventory of premium hardwood lumber, we’ve grown to realize the distinct characteristics of softwood species. In an attempt to help us provide for the needs of softwoods customers more effectively, we opened a dedicated softwoods distribution yard in southern Pennsylvania. [...]

For any lumber species, effectively drying the wood requires a long and slow process of gradually heating it up and cooling it down. However, the maximum temperature and heating and cooling rates vary according to species. As a result, many kiln operators use published species-specific schedules as guides while developing their own systems through personal [...]

While the J. Gibson McIlvain lumber company (visit website) has hardwoods down to a science (we should after over 200 years of working with them!), we’re just now learning the many unique needs of softwoods. A decade after entering the softwoods market, we finally feel like we’re getting it down. We’ve learned that softwoods are [...]

As a direct importer of exotic hardwoods, J. Gibson McIlvain (www.mcilvain.com) is constantly studying the ever-changing regulations of both foreign and federal governments as well as the U.S. market demands for various types of lumber species. For increasingly popular Ipe decking, the details surrounding this process are complicated, leading to a supply-and-demand struggle that we [...]

Hardwood flooring has long been heralded for its remarkable time-tested durability and beauty. Whether you’re looking at a massive hardwood flooring order or a small, one-time residential job, J. Gibson McIlvain lumber company (www.mcilvain.com) provides an expansive selection of species and varieties, all of which is high-quality lumber at reasonable prices. Some of our flooring [...]

As the election draws near, all this talk of who built what is getting a little old—no matter whose side you’re on or how you think that statement should be interpreted. Did the government build this country? No. Did you or I? No. Did plastics and metals? No. Lumber did. And, in many cases, it [...]

Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars recently posted a video on YouTube that announced a change to the guitar and wood world that may change minds about the quality of wood. He has decided that the use of B-grade ebony wood, which is used for the fret boards of high-quality guitars, will be used because the [...]

As a direct importer of exotic hardwoods, J. Gibson McIlvain appreciates the message of a video (see below) published in May 2012 by Bob Taylor, President of Taylor Guitars, regarding the Ebony trade. J. Gibson McIlvain does not deal in Ebony; however, we do supply many luthier customers with species that have excellent tonal quality [...]

All you have to do is check out the wide range of pricing among hardwood plywood suppliers to realize that there’s quite a disparity of quality, as well. The culprit, we believe, is a confusing grading system that results in the same grade being used to represent an incredible spectrum of quality levels. This situation [...]

Whether you’re a contractor pricing Ipe for a summer full of decking projects or a DIY homeowner setting out to create your own backyard haven, you’ll want to use only the best materials. When your hard work and expert skills are combined with high-quality lumber products from J. Gibson McIlvain, you’ll have a truly winning [...]