Redwood: The Timeless Giant of Woodworking

Stack of milled redwood boards showing rich reddish-brown tones and straight grain

Redwood isn’t just a wood — it’s a symbol of natural beauty, longevity, and craftsmanship. From the towering coastal trees of California to the finely milled boards in your local lumber yard, redwood has a history and set of properties that make it stand out from almost every other building material. I’ve worked with redwood … Read more

Virola Plywood: Lightweight, Strong & Versatile for Woodworking

Virola Plywood

Virola is a newer type of wood used in plywood. Unlike most woods, it is commonly sold under its scientific name rather than a traditional common name. It is also known as Ucuuba, Sebo, Dalli, Cumala, Cajuea, and other regional names. Native to Brazil, the Virola tree is often seen as low-value because it naturally … Read more

Plywood vs. Hardboard: Which One Should You Choose?

hemlock plywood

Hemlock is one of the more prolific varieties of pine trees in the United States, making up some 60% of the virgin forests in the Pacific Northwest and up into western Canada. The species is generally divided into two subspecies, as eastern and western hemlock trees are slightly different, with western hemlock trees growing considerably … Read more

Cypress Plywood

cypress, ceiling strips

The cypress tree, sometimes referred to as “bald cypress,” grows in the United States, along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, often in swampy areas. It is also known to grow in the Mediterranean region, throughout Asia and in ancient times, in the trees also grew in the Holy Land, as evidenced by how much it … Read more