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Softwoods of Distinction

February 7, 2011 By Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

picking lumber at mcilvain
Picking lumber at J Gibson McIlvain

Having been providing American builders and craftsmen with quality hardwoods for more than two centuries, J. Gibson McIlvain entered the softwoods business only a decade ago. During our initial induction into this exciting aspect of the lumber industry, we’ve realized how different softwoods are from hardwoods and, therefore, the distinct care we need to take in moving and storing them.

For instance, softwoods present the following challenges:

Because softwoods are softer than hardwoods, they can more easily be damaged by forklifts and other equipment. Add in the fact that softwoods are often shipped from the saw mill already surfaced on 4 sides, there is no potential for running it through the planer to get rid of damage. Because of their softness, gravel and dirt that are typically kicked up in a lumber yard can scratch the finished surfaces.

Segregating softwoods allow us to wrap them, keeping dirt off finished surfaces and decrease potential for damage during storage. It also helps us to receive and ship softwoods in keeping with their more delicate nature. By carefully packaging and banding the lumber before it is loaded onto and off of trucks, we can deliver on our promise of higher quality materials arriving on your project site, ready for you to install. In order to accommodate these changes we wanted to make, we acquired a dedicated softwoods storage facility and distribution yard near York, Pennsylvania. You’ll see that when we decide to enter a new sphere of business, we tend to take it seriously.

In keeping with our well-earned reputation for buying only top-quality hardwoods, we specialize in softwoods suitable for high-end applications. If you’re looking for a source of construction-grade materials that are graded C and lower, J. Gibson McIlvain is not your solution. Carrying only A lumber and appearance-grade timbers and specialty items means that you can rely on us for products varying from Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Structural-Grade Douglas Fir, and Clear Vertical Grain Western Red Cedar. Specialty items include rustic face treatments and bevel-edged siding.

The most popular species we carry are Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir. Western Red Cedar has long been a best-seller when it comes to exterior applications. Because we deal with the highest grades of cedar here at J. Gibson McIlvain, you won’t have to worry about whether these large timbers will meet your high quality standards when they arrive on your jobsite. Another top-ranked choice is Douglas Fir. Ideal for timber framing applications and large posts, this species grows exclusively in the Pacific West, so we store some out on the West Coast.

Other species available in smaller amounts or with special orders include these: Port Orford Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Ponderosa Pine, Cypress, Southern Yellow Pine, and Eastern White Pine.

To find out more about which species would work best for your target application, contact our softwoods experts at J. Gibson McIlvain to discuss your softwoods needs.

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Filed Under: Construction, Lumber

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