J & W Lumber

Tips for Making Use of and Discarding Wood Scraps, Shavings, and Sawdust

When it comes to outdoor building projects, cedar  lumber is a favorite building material amongst homeowners and contractors alike. In addition to its natural beauty and resilience, cedar lumber can easily be cut, shaved, and sanded down to a particular shape or size. But what most people don’t realize is that there are a number of different ways to reuse the wood scraps, shavings, and sawdust that is produced by working with cedar lumber.

Some of the ways that you can make use of wood scraps, shaving, and sawdust include:

• Mulching – Mulching with wood is a great way to ensure a healthy and beautiful garden. Shavings and sawdust help prevent weed growth, increase water retention, and provide the soil with valuable nutrients as they decompose. In particular, sawdust is the ideal mulch for blueberries, rhododendrons, and other acid-loving evergreens. Wood shavings are also a beautiful decorative mulch to use around trees bushes.
• Animal Bedding – If you have horses, pigs, or livestock, then you’ll be glad to hear that sawdust and wood shavings make great animal bedding. The tiny wood particles are excellent at absorbing moisture and reducing odor. Sawdust and wood shavings become compact when wet, so cleanup is a breeze. The only drawback to using sawdust and wood shavings as bedding is that you will need a lot to adequately fill a stall.
• Heating – Another great use for excess wood scraps is heating. Large pieces of untreated scrap wood can be used as an alternative to firewood, while small pieces can be used as kindling. If you happen to have a wood-chip boiler in your home, you can use wood scraps to keep your family warm during the winter months.

For all of your lumber fencing and decking needs, visit J & W Lumber today. We offer a great selection of redwood, cedar, and rough Douglas fir lumber. If you have any questions about our products, contact us online or call one of our six locations around San Diego.

El Cajon: (619) 442-0658

Sorrento Valley: (858) 452-0520

San Marcos: (760) 727-1510

Escondido: (760) 745-6800

Murrieta: (951) 698-0215

Chula Vista: (619) 585-3620

Thanks Don for the Pleasant Note - "I wouldn

The J&W Crew from San Marcos did an outstanding job assisting my wife and I on what products we would need to make a pergola structure in our back yard this past month. Their knowledge on types of wood and stain made it very easy for us to purchase product with confidence. I wouldn't hesitate to come back for any future home improvement projects. 

I'd like to thank Robert Lockhart for recommending Steve Waters who completed all the work on this project. My wife and I were impressed by his custom work and the outcome of the project. It was nice to see that such style and craftsmanship still exists. 

I will certainly recommend J&W Redwood to all of our friends. We had numerous compliments on the structure during our recent open house party. I thought you might enjoy a couple of pictures of a job well done. 

Thanks again for the excellent customer service. 

Don & Monica Wynam

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Welcome the Next Generation of Composite Decking

Composite decking was the alternative to traditional decking years ago because of its ability to last and maintain its look. Welcome the new type of composite decking called “capshock composite decking.” Capstock decking offers all the benefits of traditional composite decking, but can be a cost-effective solution when compared to regular composite decking.

Traditional composite decking is made from recycled wood flower and recycled plastic. For the last five years, there have also been deck boards made with High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and even virgin materials like PVC. This type of decking carries less maintenance and typically has a longer lifespan than natural wood decking. It’s been the alternative to natural wood because it doesn’t crack, warp or separate due to external elements. It does not take in or give off moisture which prevents the wear and tear you see with natural wood.

Capstock composite decking uses recycled material for the core and virgin material as a cap. The cap allows the deck board to be fade, scratch and stain resistant while also being a cost-effective solution when compared to totally virgin material decking, like traditional composite deck types.

Some popular brands of this capstock decking are Trex Transcend and Fiberon’s Pro-Tect, both in stock at any of J&W Lumber’s six locations. Trex Transcend recently added a tropic collection, which offers capstock composite decking in colors like spiced rum, lava rock and fire pit. Fiberon Pro-Tect Decking is backed by a 20-year, limited warranty for stain and fade protection. And all of these options are now available at J&W Lumber.

J&W Lumber is currently running a rebate program is you replace your old composite decking with Trex Transcend decking. Now through June 30th, 2012 you may be eligible for a rebate that brings your cost down to $2.25/lf for solid color Transcends of $2.39/lf for Tropical Transcends. To learn more about this offer and capstock decking, give J&W Lumber a call at (760) 741-8776 or visit us on our website. 

Your Wood Project Questions Answered with These Links

Here's some great sites to check out if your taking on a wood project in the near future. 

• Do you know how to safely work with wood? If not, check out this page from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• If you master woodworking, you could build a lot of great toys for your kids. FamiliyFun.Go.com has several excellent woodworking projects that your kids will love.
• Does your deck need to be sealed? This page from DoItYourself.com offers a handy step-by-step guide.
• Every builder needs a garage full of tools. Learn which ones you should own at this page from DIYNetwork.com.
• J&W Lumber has all your supplies to complete any lumber project you’re talking on. Learn more on our website.  

If you have any questions about completing your project, call J & W Lumber at (760) 741-8776. 

3 Projects to Consider Starting with Your Leftover Lumber

If you’ve recently finished a home improvement project, there’s a good chance that you have some leftover lumber. Since leaving lumber sitting in your yard is an invitation for termites, and sending your wood off to a landfill is not environmentally-friendly, consider putting that wood to good use. Here are three relatively easy woodworking projects that are great for leftover redwood lumber:

• Kids’ Toys: For kids, just about anything can be a toy—so consider taking the time to cut, sand, and paint your leftover wood into fun and easy to use wood blocks that your kids will appreciate for years. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, you might even try something as complicated as a train set. If you don’t have kids, you can always donate your handcrafted lumber toys to a local orphanage or foster home.
• End Table: If you need some place to set down your drinks in your living room, consider turning your leftover lumber into an end table. End tables are small, don’t require much wood, and are relatively easy to make. In order to prevent drinks or plants from damaging your new end table, set a sheet of glass on top of it.
• Garden Bench: If you have a few long boards left over, you could use them to create an attractive garden bench. An easy way to do so is to place boards on top of stone blocks. If you want to challenge yourself, consider sanding and staining the wood before attaching wooden legs with screws.

If you’re looking for a great place to buy lumber in the San Diego area, come by J & W Lumber. We carry high-quality redwood lumber for fencing, patios covers, decking, and any other project you have in mind. For more information, call any of our six locations in the San Diego area today.

• El Cajon: (619) 442-0658
• Sorrento Valley: (858) 452-0520
• San Marcos: (760) 727-1510
• Escondido: (760) 741-8776
• Murrieta: (951) 698-0215
• Chula Vista: (619) 585-3620