We looked at an introduction to value engineering in consideration of the issues facing Teak, last time. Now we’ll look at a variation on that theme, as we look at boat-building designs created with Teak in view but being used for Walnut, instead. Our case study involves a customer making a switch from Teak to […]
Lumber
Value Engineering & Teak: An Introduction
Value engineering – what is it? According to Dictionary.com, to value means “to calculate,” and engineering refers to “the art or science of making practical application of the knowledge of pure sciences” or “skillful or artful contrivance; maneuvering.” Applied to lumber and building, value engineering refers to planning based on the specific characteristics (particularly size […]
Compensating for the Effects of Artificial Heat on Your Wood, Part 2
As you work on lumber indoors this winter, not only should you keep in mind the shift in moisture level between now and summertime, but also the significance of your ultra-dry, artificially heated shop. As you begin to understand the effects of artificial heat on your lumber this winter, you need to realize that the […]
Compensating for the Effects of Artificial Heat on Your Wood, Part 1
Are you among the first to turn on your home’s heater, or are you one of those proud to hold out longer than anyone else you know? Either way, as temperatures outside plummet, heaters may make things more comfortable for us humans indoors, but have you ever considered how it can affect your lumber? Building […]
Value Engineering & Teak: Case Study, Part 2
Heralded as both an art and a science, the Salk Institute restoration project represents what all value engineering and restoration projects require. As we discussed in our introductory post about this case study, the project was able to be completed, salvaging a remarkable 2/3 of the original Teak; this achievement points not only to the […]
Value Engineering & Teak: Case Study, Part 1
As we’ve discussed previously, value engineering is an extremely important aspect of planning your next build. In the past we’ve looked at a value engineering case study using Walnut, and now we’ll take a look at a recent project we participated in using Teak. In any value engineering project, it’s important to remember that wood […]
Rethinking Standard Sizes for Lumber, Part 4
To a great extent, when it comes to lumber, you do get what you pay for. If you want top-quality boards, you can expect to pay a premium for them. However, there is one way you can get around that rule a little bit: reconsider sizes. We’ve already looked at how the U.S. standards are […]
Rethinking Standard Sizes for Lumber, Part 3
Thickness isn’t the only size issue about which the U.S. lumber industry is a little different than the rest of the world. While we tend to prefer thinner thicknesses, we also prefer longer, wider boards. Americans typically prefer boards that are in the 10-12 foot range and refer to boards shorter than 8 feet as […]
Rethinking Standard Sizes for Lumber, Part 2
In Part 1 we discussed the issue of North American norms when it comes to lumber thicknesses and began to explore how that ends up meaning that we pay more per linear foot than do our European and Asian counterparts. This time, we’ll continue to look at that issue and then consider some potential solutions […]
Rethinking Standard Sizes for Lumber, Part 1
We hear it all the time: customers decrying the way lumber prices continue to rise. While we can talk all we want about how lumber pricing is a complicated issue and how higher pricing can actually be good news, we get it: as a customer, you’re concerned about your bottom line. We all wish we […]
