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TimberTips is a video series offering information worth knowing about lumber products and projects.

From product reviews and comparisons to installation tips and home tours, our goal is to keep you informed on what's out there and how you can use it on your next project. Hit subscribe and click the notification bell to get the latest tips, trends, and tech behind today's specialty lumber products!

Can You “Pre-Gray” Ipe Before Installation?

#TimberTips Can You “Pre-Gray” Ipe Before Installation? Can you let Ipe or other hardwoods gray out BEFORE you install it? We tackle this “gray area” on this episode of TimberTips! Working at TimberTown over the years, a topic that gets brought up by builders and architects regularly is…more

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Ipe vs. Massaranduba

#TimberTips Ipe vs. Massaranduba Is Massaranduba a real Ipe alternative? Let’s see what the data shows on this episode of TimberTips! If you are in the decking industry, you’ve probably heard of Massaranduba. No doubt you’ve run across a supplier, broker or website that promotes Massaranduba as an…more

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3 Things Every Builder Will Love About This Hotel

#TimberTips 3 Things Every Builder will Love about This Hotel What do I love about the Carpenter Hotel?  Originally home to Austin’s Carpenter’s Union, the Carpenter Hotel is a newly opened boutique hotel with a restaurant, bar, and event space. Developed by Portland-based Mighty Union and constructed by…more

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A Plastic Footing that supports 1,700 lbs!

#TimberTips A Plastic Footing that supports 1,700 lbs! Could a piece of plastic replace traditional concrete footings? When building a deck, traditionally the builder will dig footings and pour concrete for the foundation. Another method for low profile decks is concrete blocks that can be placed directly on…more

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The Worst Foods and Household Items to Drop on your Deck

#TimberTips The Worst Foods and Household Items to Drop on your Deck How stain-proof are different decking products? We put their warranties to the test on this episode of TimberTips. It’s inevitable that someone at some point is going to drop a burger or spill some wine on…more

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The “Coolest” Decking Product: Temperature Test

#TimberTips The “Coolest” Decking Product: Temperature Test Is there a decking product that can beat the summer heat and not burn your feet? This week Ben Roberts was joined by Michael Rowland, a product expert at Gaiennie Lumber, and we talked about heat; specifically, heat as it pertains…more

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Decking Scratch Test: Azek vs. TimberTech vs. Ipe vs. Cedar

#TimberTips Decking Scratch Test: Azek vs. TimberTech vs. Ipe vs. Cedar Is there a solution to a scratched-up deck? Nothing is more frustrating than getting a brand-new deck installed in your backyard, then having your neighbors come over and drag the outdoor furniture across it causing all kinds of scratches.…more

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The Most Fire-Resistant Decking: Composites vs. Ipe

#TimberTips The Most Fire-Resistant Decking: Composites vs. Ipe What happens to deck boards when they’re exposed to fire? On this episode of TimberTips, we have four different types of decking that we’re going to put through a trial by fire and see how they did. The four different…more

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Why is Cedar So Expensive Right Now? What’s New in 2018.

Editor’s Note: This blog has been updated as of February 15, 2018 to reflect recent changes in Cedar and Softwood Prices.  Western Red Cedar and other Softwood lumber prices have increased by 20% to 30% since the start of 2017, and it isn’t getting better at the start…more

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Mothers Day Planter Box

The Best Fall Plants for Your Deck or Garden

The seasons are changing, and with the drop in temperature comes the perfect time to refresh your outdoor plants. From mums to Russian Sage, we’ve listed seven of our favorite fall plants to give your deck or landscape some pops of color during this season.

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Landscaping in Backyard

Should I Hire a Landscape Architect for My Outdoor Project?

To hire a pro or not hire a pro? That seems to always be the question with home improvement projects — and it’s no different when it comes to the outdoors. Do you shell out the money and hire a professional who can transform your backyard or embark…more

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Five Reasons You Need To Be A Houzz Pro

Whether you’re an architect, designer or builder, Houzz is a platform that can help expand your reach and help you connect with companies and customers. It allows different home improvement and building professionals to showcase their products and home projects — all while giving current and potential customers…more

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Wood Decking Options That Stay Cool In The Summer Heat

  If you live in a hotter climate, it’s important to make sure you choose a decking material that will “keep its cool” during the summer months. Needless to say, nothing is worse than stepping out on your deck in the middle of July, only to be met…more

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7 Must-Have Tools to Build A Deck

You’ve finally designed your dream deck, picked the perfect wood, and rounded up a few hands to help. You should be all ready to go, right? Not so fast. Before you think about placing that first board, you need to gather all of your tools. Doing so will…more

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Glass Railing

Railing Ideas With Your View In Mind

You’re ready to get the ball rolling on the beautiful deck plans you’ve been working on. However, there’s one problem – you don’t want to obstruct that stunning scene right outside of your backdoor.

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How To Properly Finish A Deck: Softwoods

The weather is getting warmer and summer is just around the corner. This means more time outside and on your deck. However, you may have noticed that your deck’s stain is starting to wear off and it’s in need of a little TLC. While restaining or painting a…more

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interior dining room

7 Ways Wood is Used in Modern Home Design

Today, we’re seeing wood used more and more to create pieces of dynamic style and function in modern home design. Both indoors and outdoors, beautiful types of wood are utilized for accent walls, ceilings, barn doors, and more. Here we list seven of our favorite ways wood is…more

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Concrete Slab Before

The Perfect DIY Project For That Concrete Slab

  When you step outside the door of your home are you met by a concrete slab? Do you look down at that plain gray canvas and wonder, “what can I do to make this look better?” Whatever state that block of concrete is in, there must be…more

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outdoor shower

Outdoor Showers: Clean Comfort Worth Craving

It’s a clear fact and an undeniable trend: We’re taking the well-designed comforts of our homes’ interiors and replicating them on the outside. Exhibit A: the outdoor shower. It’s what makes home not just a shelter, but a destination. The routine shower is officially over. So let’s talk…more

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An Arbor, A Pergola, A Patio Cover; is There a Difference?

  When someone mentions building an arbor, pergola or patio cover we all get a picture of an outdoor structure in our head. The problem is those pictures can look very different, which makes communicating what you want to a builder or contractor more challenging.

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Yard privacy by Pool

Tricks To Making Your Yard More Private

Odd, noisy and curious neighbors might provide interesting material for water cooler talk, but having a yard with privacy is far more preferable. We love to brainstorm attractive and stylish ways to solve our residential problems. By making a few changes to your yard, you can reclaim the…more

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How to Clean a Deck

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Your Deck

Spring is almost here! And after a long, cold, and very snowy winter for many in the United States, just the thought of enjoying a warm day in April or May must warm the soul. For deck owners, all you have to do is just step outside onto…more

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Christmas Wood

Last Minute Gift Ideas to Make it a Merry Christmas for Your Woodsman

Sometimes no matter how well you plan a few gifts on your Christmas list slip through the cracks. If someone on your list is a woodworker than we’re about to make your search for the perfect last minute gift a little easier.

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Graying Wood Deck

What To Do With A Graying Wood Deck

So your wood deck is turning gray. Like the the hair on your head, watching your deck turn gray can be a little scary. Graying comes with age, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to start over. Here’s what you need to know about a wood deck graying.…more

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FSC Woods

Should I Buy FSC Certified Lumber?

“Is this wood from a sustainable forest?” “Is this product eco-friendly?” If you’re an architect or builder, you probably get asked these questions a lot. We all want to do our part to take care of the environment, and purchasing recycled or sustainable products like lumber is a…more

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