In April 2016, newly elected government officials in Myanmar banned all logging activities for the country. While Teak is a major species affected, other species would be included as well. In addition to a much-needed 10-year ban on logging in the Pegu Yoma region, a 1-year national ban was scheduled to expire this past March […]
Construction
Thinking Outside the Trends: Utile as a Mahogany Alternative
Amid questions about Genuine Mahogany’s future, one species that’s an excellent Mahogany alternative deserves a little more attention. Referred to by both the name “Utile” and the name “Sipo,” this African species offers many of the same characteristics as Genuine Mahogany. Since it’s more readily available as well as more affordable than Genuine Mahogany, we […]
Thinking Outside the Trends: Red Balau Decking, Part 2
Red Balau may well be the best kept secret among tropical decking enthusiasts (see Part 1). Not only is it nearly as hard and durable as industry-wide favorites like Ipe and Cumaru, but its appearance is even more consistent! With the same reddish-brown coloring as other tropical decking lumber species, this gem from Indonesia is […]
Thinking Outside the Trends: Red Balau Decking, Part 1
While Red Balau is far from new to the decking market, it’s clearly not as trendy as Ipe or Cumaru. As part of the Shorea genus, Red Balau is related, so to speak, to species such as Meranti and Philippine Mahogany, both of which are commonly used for marine applications and other exterior work. An […]
Rehmeyer Hardwood Floors: Where Beauty Meets Variety
Hardwood floors are smart, but that’s not the only reason people love them! In fact, maybe the fact that they’re a healthy, durable, low-maintenance flooring choice just makes us feel a little less guilty about indulging our senses in their beauty. (Or maybe not — it’s just a little theory I have.) Regardless of any […]
5 Advantages of Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings
Cost: When working with steel there are no excess materials left over because there is a specific calculation of how much steel per building size. So, you are only paying for the materials being used and not the lumber that is usually left behind when building with wood. Also, labor costs decrease dramatically because of […]
Guide to Decking Installation- Mind the Gap, Part 2
As we discussed in Part 1, when a customer requests a certain size gap in their decking, you need to ask them when they would like that size gap. Depending on the season and climate in which you install the deck, that perfect ¼-inch gap may widen to a ridiculous size in the coming months […]
Guide to Decking Installation- Mind the Gap, Part 1
Many decking customers have an idea of the size gap they’d like between their decking boards. The best response to such a request is a question: When do you want that size gap? No matter how eager you are to please your customer, you can’t promise them that the size of the gap won’t change. […]
What You Need To Know About Kiln-Dried Lumber, Part 2
Hopefully Part 1 helped you understand a little more about why it’s not quite enough to request kiln-dried lumber as well as how we ascertain the moisture content of imported lumber. Now it’s time to learn about the rest of our re-drying process. Re-Drying Without Compromising Quality Two major factors in determining the duration of […]
What You Need To Know About Kiln-Dried Lumber, Part 1
Throughout the construction industry, most people know to request kiln-dried lumber. What some may not realize, though, is that there are differences among kiln-dried lumber, depending on its origin. The major factor is the moisture content, and it can make a big difference in the timeline and success of your next job. Understanding Moisture Content […]
