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, […] The post Water vs Oil Based Exterior Finishes appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

On the hunt for the perfect species of wood for exterior cladding? When taking on a large construction project as the architect, builder, or even homeowner, the selection of wood cladding can greatly influence both aesthetic charm and longevity. It also can be a seriously confusing subject! Get this wood selection wrong and it will […] The post Best Species for Wood Cladding appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

Why factory finish? Because it makes for a better looking and better performing finish. Having your cladding or decking pre finished or factory applied provides so many benefits. Pre finished wood cladding just looks better but it saves loads of time and money. When talking about exterior products this goes ten fold. Here are 7 […] The post The advantages of factory finished wood appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

What is Alpha? J. Gibson McIlvain Co. proudly presents our line of branded products called Alpha. Specifically we are starting with a wood cladding line that highlights superior woods and finishes. After substantial market research, testing, and product development, we are excited to launch these lines of pre-finished exterior cladding, perfect for any structure and […] The post Introducing Alpha Wood Cladding appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

When I was younger I asked my parents if I could paint my room. They urged me to pick a light and unassuming color that I wouldn’t end up hating in a few years. I didn’t like that advice. As an adult, I still don’t like it. I always thought that painting my walls seems […] The post 2023 Colors of the Year and the Woods that Make them better appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

You just bought some decking or flooring (or really any lumber) and one of the first things you hear is that it needs time to acclimate to its new surroundings before installing deck boards. The maddening thing is you will rarely get the same answer twice when it comes to how long that particular lumber […] The post Wait Before Installing Deck Boards appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

Organic Modern style is all about clean lines and natural tones. But warmth is necessary. So is light. Actually the interplay of light on warm surfaces might be the better way to define Organic Modern design. Without these you get sterile, museum like spaces with white walls and white floors and surly looking docents making […] The post Organic Modern Should be Renamed Wood Design appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

I have written briefly about how Walnut lumber is graded differently from other North American hardwoods, but it seems that customers are still surprised by the apparent lack of quality in Walnut lumber. Usually these inquiries are met with surprise on the part of our grading team, as our graders were quite proud of the […] The post Walnut Lumber Grade Explained appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

When you buy decking boards, they are already planed on 4 faces (S4S) and usually have the sharp corners eased (E4E). Depending on whether you are face screwing or using a clip system, there may or may not be a groove routed on the edges. This is a product ready to install right? But is […] The post Ipe Deck Maintenance: New Decking is Not a Finished Product appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more

How Much Will My Lumber Cost? This question is asked several thousand times a second in the lumber business. Lumber prices cause a great deal of confusion and even anger. No matter whether the customer is buying hardwood, softwood, plywood, or even a milled wood product, it all comes down to, “How much will it […] The post Lumber Prices Explained appeared first on mcilvain.com ..read more