Premium Architectural Millwork, Our Family Recipe

When it comes to architectural millwork, J. Gibson McIlvain is second to none. In much the same way as a gourmet chef leaves nothing to chance and uses only the best ingredients, techniques, and attention-to-detail, we carefully craft each piece of millwork that we run.

Our family-owned company’s 200+ year history gives us the kind of seasoned professionalism that produces time-tested results. The recipe for premium moulding applications starts with premium lumber, to which we add professional design and precision machining.

The result of our tried-and-true family recipe consistently has our customers craving for more.

Premium Lumber

While we carry an assorted array of hardwood and softwood lumber appropriate for a broad range of building and restoration projects, we pride ourselves on understanding the kind of high-caliber lumber that’s required for architectural millwork and keeping such top-notch boards in stock.

At J. Gibson McIlvain, we realize that even the well-respected NHLA grading system isn’t quite thorough enough to ascertain the wood that will work well for millwork applications, particularly those requiring long runs. While we see FAS-quality lumber as a starting point for architectural millwork, we also look for lengths exceeding 12 feet, with consistent graining that will resist tear-out during the milling process.

Professional Design

J. Gibson McIlvain’s Moulding Profile Catalog showcases an extensive collection of potential architectural millwork applications. However, we can also meet the requirements of nearly any custom order.

Whether your project requires precisely matched mouldings for restoration work or innovative new designs to accent modern designs, our highly trained staff will work directly with your architect to precisely craft each detail of your order. When you entrust us with your order, you can be sure that it will arrive on time, according to your detailed specifications.

Precision Machining

Our fully-equipped millwork operation contains top-of-the-line machines that allow us to complete long molding runs with consistency and provide even the most ornate applications with the exactness you require. Some of the equipment we have includes these highly specialized instruments:

Moulders (4 with various capacities)
Precision End-Trimming Saw
Radial Arm Saws
Shaper (for wide stair treads and various small jobs)
Straight Line Gang Rip Saws

Quality equipment is just part of the equation, though; we also keep all our blades razor sharp and insert moulding knives carefully into our moulding heads to start every single order.

Through the moulding run, your mouldings will be inspected to ensure an accurate, high-quality consistent product. As your custom order requires, our grinders can make any straight steel or carbide tool you need. Those carefully crafted tools will also be sharpened constantly throughout the process to ensure consistent sizing and a smooth finish, regardless of your lumber of choice.

Your completed order will be carefully inspected by our attentive team to make sure it’s absolutely perfect. We can also provide priming services or needed storage to help you control inventory. The next time you need paneling, chair rails, casings, or any other architectural millwork pieces made, find out why the McIlwain family recipe has been successful for more than two centuries.