Southern Lumber

Wood: Indoors and Outdoors

Here are five great online resources on wood maintenance and cabinetry upgrades to help you get started on your next woodworking project.

• For tips on protecting your outdoor wood from the weather, check out this page from DoItYourself.com.
• Check out these trendy kitchen cabinet styles from Better Homes and Gardens for some cabinetry inspiration.
• How can you protect your outdoor wood from water infiltration and rotting? Visit this page from This Old House to learn about water-repellent wood preservatives.
• Visit this gallery from HGTV to see how big of an impact kitchen cabinets can make in your home.
• If you’re ready to give your home a serious value boost, take a look at these 15 ways to invest in your home with wood with this article from Freshome.com.

For beautiful vanities, cabinetry, decks, and specialty woods, contact Southern Lumber today at (408) 533-0360.

Transforming Condemned Urban Trees into Beautiful Wooden Bikes

Woodworking is something we’re passionate about here at Southern Lumber, so we find a lot of joy in seeing others use their woodworking skills to build something cool and unique. That’s why we really love this video featuring Bill Holloway and Mauro Hernandez from Masterworks Woodworking in San Jose, right down the street from Souther Lumber!

Bill and Mauro build custom beach cruiser bicycles from reclaimed urban wood from dead or dying trees. These wooden bikes are as beautiful as they are unique and include the histories of the trees they were built from. In this video, you’ll learn a little more about Bill and Mauro’s passion for lumber and where they draw their inspiration from.

Are you ready to put your woodworking skills to the test? Come to Southern Lumber today for a great selection of specialty woods and lumber, woodworking tools, decks, vanities, cabinetry, moulding, and more. Call (408) 533-0360 today!

Outdoor Wood Care and Maintenance Tips

Are you refinishing or building a new deck or outdoor living space this year? Before the summer weather wears out your new wooden deck or fence, be sure to properly weatherproof outdoor wooden surfaces. With a little time and effort, your decks, fence, steps, gazebo, and other exterior wood features will stay strong and beautiful for years to come. Here are some basic weatherproofing tips for outdoor wood surfaces:

• Start With High-Quality Woods

While many types of lumber are great for outdoor construction, certain types of robust, stronger hardwoods are ideal. Cedar and redwood are top choices because they are stable, strong, and receptive to beautiful finishes. Both of these specialty woods also contain natural oils that help protect them from mold, rotting, and insects. For added protection, opt for a pressure-treated wood that comes pre-preserved.

• Keep Wood Surfaces Smooth

At some point in the construction of your outdoor living area, make sure all surfaces are as smooth as possible. The smoother the wood, the less water will get trapped in the grains. This means a reduced chance of discoloration, mold, and rotting.

• Apply a Water-Repellent Preservative

In addition to sealing your outdoor woods, you can apply a water-repellent preservative to further protect your wood features from water damage. This preservative won’t need to be reapplied until the paint or stain requires touchups, so it’s truly a worry-free solution to water damage.

• Thoroughly Finish Your Wood

Remember to finish your wood with a high-quality paint or stain. These finishes will not only help to further block moisture, but also protect your wood from UV discoloration and some wear and tear.

To learn more about keeping your outdoor wood living areas beautiful and strong, come to Southern Lumber of San Jose. Call (408) 533-0360 to learn about our high-quality woodworking supplies and materials, specialty woods, decks and outdoor living spaces, and much more.

Treated Wood, Hardwood Floors, and Building a Deck

Are you interested in learning more about purchasing and using lumber in your next project? If so, browse through the various blog posts here on our page and click on the links below for more informative tips and ideas:

• Download this great guide from Purdue University on properly purchasing hardwood.
• For more information on deck building, take a look at this webpage on deck planning and design.
• Do you need to quickly calculate board feet and lumber costs? Use this easy board foot calculator from the University of Missouri.
• For easy-to-follow instructions on wall framing, visit This Old House.

Click on the links below, and then call the lumber experts from Southern Lumber at (408) 533-0360.

Raving 5-Star Yelp Review for Southern Lumber of San Jose, CA on 4.23.2012