Oil vs. WiseCoat®: Which Is Better?

When homeowners and contractors start comparing wood finishes, one of the most common questions we hear is: “Is traditional oil better than WiseCoat®?” The truth is – it depends. Each product performs differently based on your goals, environment, and the type of deck you have. Penetrating Oil (Like Ipe Oil®) Penetrating oils are the classic …

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Deck Ventilation 101: Why Airflow Matters for Deck Longevity

Horizontal Deck Skirting

When planning or building a deck, most homeowners focus on the decking material, railing style, or overall design. But one critical factor often gets overlooked: deck ventilation. Without proper airflow, even the highest-quality decking—whether it’s Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa, composite, or PVC—can suffer premature failure. In this guide, we’ll break down why deck ventilation matters, …

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How to Avoid the Most Common Hardwood Deck Finishing Mistakes

Tropical hardwoods like Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, and Plantation Teak are some of the most durable decking materials available. They resist rot, insects, and moisture, and many even carry a Class A fire rating. That density, however, makes them a little tricky when it comes to finishing. Film-forming sealers that work on softwoods often can’t bond …

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Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring: Answering Your Top 6 FAQs

Brazilian Cherry Flooring

Welcome to the AdvantageLumber.com blog! If you’re considering hardwood flooring options, Brazilian Cherry (also known as Jatoba) has long been a favorite for its striking beauty and impressive durability. In this post, we’ll answer the six most frequently asked questions about Brazilian Cherry hardwood flooring with straightforward, honest insights based on real-world performance and current …

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Why Long-Length Hardwood Decking Doesn’t Have to Be a Nightmare: How AdvantageLumber.com Delivers 20-Foot Boards Straight to Your Driveway

hand unloading decking order

If you’ve ever priced out premium hardwood decking like Ipe, Garapa, or Cumaru in 16- to 20-foot lengths, you already know the struggle. Big-box stores and most local lumberyards simply don’t stock anything longer than 12 or 14 feet—and when they do special-order long material, the price is usually eye-watering and the delivery options are …

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What Is Composite Siding?

Trex Cladding

As exterior design trends continue shifting toward modern, clean-lined architecture, more homeowners, builders, and architects are turning to composite siding as their cladding of choice. At AdvantageLumber.com, we’ve seen a significant rise in customers requesting quotes for composite siding—driven largely by its sleek aesthetic, long-lasting performance, and minimal maintenance needs. But what exactly is composite …

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