Your local lumber yard has a lot more going on than you might realize. New construction designs, materials and technologies are popping up on the daily. Here are four exciting new finds at the lumber yard that will inspire and invigorate your projects and designs.
New find #1: Cable railing
Lumber yards carry a lot more than wood, tools, and hardware — they’re a great place to get ideas to spruce up your space. These days, cable railing is leading the charge. Originally used on battleships and for other maritime applications, cable railing is a sleek, modern take on indoor or outdoor dividers. Their open design provides protection with minimal view obstruction.
Formerly requiring professional installation, advancements in today’s cable railing design makes it easier to install than ever. Multiple options enable you to select a cable railing system that fits your aesthetic, including metal posts plus cable or wood posts that offset the cable in an eye-catching way. The main advantage of cable railing is that you are able to secure your deck, yard, indoor landing or loft while maintaining an open, airy feeling.
New find #2: Classes & workshops
Your lumber yard is more than a wealth of materials – it’s also a treasure trove of knowledge. Years of combined expertise from the staff is available to you. Take advantage of it! More and more lumber distributors are setting up classes and workshops to help you learn more about projects that are important to you.
We established “J&W University,” which is our own series of in-house workshops dedicated to all things lumber. Our schedule of standalone classes includes how-to workshops that provide step-by-step guidance about completing a particular project, product demonstrations to share information about new products we love, and helpful Q&A sessions that cover topics like permitting, outdoor fencing ideas or the pros and cons of particular wood species.
The advantage of an in-person class or workshop is that you are able to receive hands-on instruction from experts and ask specific questions that relate to your building project. You also get a chance to become familiar with professional terminology in a controlled setting, so you feel more comfortable articulating what you need.
New find #3: Alaskan Yellow Cedar
Alaskan yellow cedar is a fantastic wood species that, though durable and perfect for outdoor use, isn’t particularly well-known. We carry it as standard stock, but we’re one of the few lumber yards in Southern California that do. Alaskan yellow cedar is a dense soft wood that grows only in a limited area in Alaska but is widely used in construction in places as far away as Japan.
It’s an attractive, affordable alternative to western red cedar or redwood that’s perfect for outdoor use because it’s approved for ground contact and is decay- and pest-resistant.
In addition to its durability, Alaskan yellow cedar is a particularly pretty wood. Its natural blonde hue provides a warm base for stain, which the wood absorbs easily. Ask the experts at your local lumber yard to show you a sample of Alaskan yellow cedar so you can examine this versatile wood for yourself.
Learn more: The Lumber Industry’s Best Kept Secret.
New find #4: Custom milling
Custom milling services used to be reserved for professional contractors only. However, these days, retail lumber yards like J&W Lumber are opening up their onsite mills to all clientele. You share your exact specs and trained lumber experts will run planks through the mills to achieve fresh cuts that conform to your needs, for planks, corbels, siding, trim and more.
Custom milling is particularly helpful for projects that require matching a particular cut, such as siding to match existing exterior for home restoration. Custom milling services also include re-sawing timber to freshen up surfaces, reshape misshapen planks, or improve texture. If you’re looking for a custom cut, ask the team at the lumber yard. Depending on the size of your order, they may be able to get the job done same-day.
If you haven’t stopped by the lumber yard lately, it’s time to swing through. With more emphasis on innovative products and services to help DIYers and professionals alike, the lumber yard has got a lot more going on than just timber.