Expert insights on lumber, craft, and building with nature — from America's oldest lumber company since 1798
Both Ipe and Cumaru rank among the hardest, most durable tropical decking species available. But they differ in cost, color, workability, and long-term performance. Here's what 226 years of lumber expertise tells us about choosing between them.
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Plantation teak, old-growth Burmese teak, and reclaimed teak each offer different performance characteristics. Understanding FEQ, select, and standard grades helps architects specify with confidence.
Thermal modification heats wood to 400°F+ in oxygen-free kilns, permanently altering its cell structure. The result: Class 1 durability without chemicals.
Sapele offers ribbon-stripe figure and superior hardness at 60% of mahogany's cost. But genuine mahogany machines more predictably and holds finer detail.
When the Salk Institute needed to restore its iconic teak window walls after 50+ years of Pacific salt air exposure, they turned to McIlvain for 12,000 board feet of FSC-certified Burmese teak.
FSC Chain of Custody certification traces every board from forest to jobsite. With LEED v5 awarding up to 3 points for FSC-certified wood, here's how to specify correctly.
With a Janka hardness of 3,680 lbf and a Class 1 durability rating, Ipe outlasts every competing decking material. Grading, sourcing, installation, and the 40-year maintenance timeline.
White oak's closed-pore structure makes it ideal for wet environments, while red oak's open grain accepts stain more evenly. McIlvain stocks both in FAS grade, 4/4 through 16/4.
Garapa delivers a Janka hardness of 1,620 lbf with a warm honey color that weathers to silver. At $3.50–$5.00/lf vs. Ipe's $7–$12, it's the budget-conscious tropical hardwood choice.
BS 1088 marine plywood, teak decking, and white oak keels each require specific grading standards. McIlvain supplies boatyards from Maine to the Chesapeake with certified marine-grade stock.
One board foot equals 144 cubic inches of rough lumber. But nominal vs. actual thickness, random widths, and yield loss make real-world calculations more complex. Here's how McIlvain quotes projects.
Quarter-sawn boards shrink 50% less across their width than plain-sawn. For flooring, doors, and furniture where seasonal movement is critical, the cut pattern determines long-term performance.
Composite decking costs less upfront but fades, scratches, and retains heat. Ipe and Cumaru cost more initially but last 40+ years with minimal maintenance. Here's the lifecycle math.
Ventilated rainscreen assemblies with Ipe, Cumaru, or thermally modified ash meet fire code in most jurisdictions while delivering the warmth of natural wood. System design, clip selection, and species options.
From 1,010 lbf Eastern white pine to 3,680 lbf Ipe, Janka hardness alone doesn't tell the full story. Grain character, stainability, and dimensional stability all factor into the right flooring choice.
Wood delivered above equilibrium moisture content will shrink, cup, and gap after installation. McIlvain kiln-dries all hardwoods to 6–8% MC and stores them in climate-controlled warehouses.
Reclaimed heart pine, chestnut, and Douglas fir carry character no new-growth lumber can match. But hidden fasteners, lead paint, and structural compromise require expert evaluation before reuse.
Urban rooftop decks face stricter load limits (typically 40–100 psf) and fire-code requirements than ground-level builds. Ipe's Class A fire rating and 68 lb/ft³ density make it the standard.
Penetrating oil finishes require recoating every 1–2 years but never peel. Film-forming finishes last longer initially but fail catastrophically when breached. Field data from McIlvain's test decks.