Wood Archives - Page 23 of 40 - AdvantageLumber Blog

Wood of the Month: Cumaru (Brazilian Teak)

June 7, 2023June 30, 2014 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Cumaru, also known as Brazilian Teak, is an excellent hardwood that many have never heard of. Its botanical name is Dipteryx Odorata, and is primarily found in the Northern regions of South America. The Cumaru tree’s seeds have been used to create a vanilla extract substitute and are highly sought after. The heartwood of Cumaru is very dense and filled with silica particles making it denser and stronger than softwoods and most hardwoods . The most common use for Cumaru is in decking and outdoor furniture because of its strength, density, and lifespan.

Can Composite Decking be Recycled?

July 3, 2023June 30, 2014 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

For years the decking industry has gone back and forth as to what is a “green” decking option and what isn’t. In an industry where everyone boasts their product is the best, how are we supposed to make an educated decision when buying a new deck?

Some composite decking does use recycled materials, but does that mean the boards themselves can be recycled? The majority of the time the answer will be no. Our findings suggest that the composite deck boards that can’t be recycled are made from wood and plastic fibers which are combined using bonding agents that deter any machine from separating them.

Wood of the Month: Aromatic Cedar

December 16, 2014June 13, 2014 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

Cedar wood is perhaps one of the most storied woods in history. Cedar’s amazing properties are the reason why it’s prevailed for centuries. During a recent renovation in Newport, RI the contractor needed aromatic cedar to maintain the historical accuracy of the structure. AdvantageLumber.com supplied him with high-quality aromatic cedar to provide the structural support needed.

Wood of the Month: American Black Walnut

June 7, 2023May 6, 2014 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

American black walnut is one of our finest and most cherished native hardwoods. It is prized by woodworkers, craftsmen and carpenters for its rich dark color, stability and workability. The black walnut can be found growing from the Mississippi Valley to the Carolinas and from upstate NY to Florida. It rarely dominates a woodland. At one time, American black walnut was considered for our national tree.

Woods of the Bible

December 11, 2023May 6, 2014 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

37 specific names of trees are mentioned in the King James Version of the Bible. While most of the trees spoken of are native to Israel, some were brought there in antiquity by travelers who passed through Israel along their trade route between Asia Minor and Egypt. Acacia: (acacia spp.) Acacia was called Shittim wood …

Demand for Tropical Hardwood is Projected to Rise

December 16, 2014February 21, 2014 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

According to industry analysts, the residential market for tropical hardwood decking will account for the vast majority of a 7.0 percent growth in imported hardwoods. More homeowners are selecting tropical hardwoods such as such as Ipe, Tigerwood, Cumaru, Garapa and Massaranduba because of their long term durability, fungal and insect resistance, and imperviousness to damage caused by moisture. They also value the fact that decks made from tropical lumber require much less maintenance than other wood types.

Common Ipe Decking Problems

April 24, 2019January 8, 2014 by Mr. Ipe Hardwood

What to Expect When Working with Ipe

No material comes without its share of challenges, and Ipe is no exception. This includes drilling, cutting, and price. Addressing these problems individually will help you understand why they arise and how you can solve them

Predrilling is an important step when it comes to fastening hardwoods.