The Grain

Getting it Done in Dunn County Dunn County, in heavily wooded northwestern Wisconsin, is a perfect example.“What would the community be without the sawmill? A lot of us put our lives into it,” wonders a longtime operations manager for a Midwestern hardwood lumber company. He takes the long view. “Think...

Why Choose Oregon White Oak?Oregon White Oak offers a unique combination of natural resilience, visual appeal, and versatility, making it a favorite among designers and craftsmen. Whether for indoor projects or outdoor applications, this wood delivers on both beauty and performance. Here’s how Oregon White Oak stands out:Strength and Durability:...

Cost-Effectiveness and Reliable SupplyWhile Alder generally has a higher initial purchase price compared to Rubberwood, it offers significant advantages for manufacturers in terms of long-term value. Alder’s ease of machining translates to faster production times and lower labor costs, reducing overall manufacturing expenses. Its uniform texture, grain, and color ensure...

It would hard to find a bigger proponent of building and crafting with wood than Frank Lloyd Wright. His driving purpose was to create emotional connections with the spaces we inhabit by creating designs that were in harmony with nature.Wright’s “organic architecture” sourced wood and stone from the landscapes near...

Overview of AlderAlder is a robust hardwood that mirrors Poplar’s workable properties while excelling with aesthetic appeal. It is easy to machine and finish, featuring a color palette that ranges from light tan to reddish-brown. The uniform closed grain of Alder provides a subtle elegance to finished products. More importantly,...

Nurturing Biodiversity North American hardwood forests are home to 85 species of mammals, 130 species of fish, about 32,000 species of insects, and 300 species of birds, all of which rely on hardwood forests for their survival. Add to this about 40 species of plants and trees, and 45 species...

Beyond being the leading supplier of hardwoods, our meticulous grading and precise tally processes underscore our commitment to quality and accuracy. We pride ourselves on superior performance in every facet of our partnership, from industry insight to the unparalleled quality of our products. With NWH, you're not just getting lumber;...

Which feels better? And which is best for lowering your blood pressure under a deadline? That’s the question researchers posed in “Effects of Biophilic Indoor Environment on Stress and Anxiety Recovery,” a study published by Science Direct in 2020. It found that interiors that drew from nature—its materials, colors and...

Recently, NWH implemented a real-time manufacturing platform to gather and monitor facility floor data. With instant feedback on utilization, downtime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), NWH is able to offer customers benefits from improved quality and delivery times to cost. Also, NWH received a 2023 grant from the USDA to...

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At NWH, our people come first. Our goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We also strive to make a positive impact on the communities where we work. From supporting local organizations to our focus on sustainability, we're committed to...

Naturally sourced hardwood products are a smart solution for designers and manufacturers striving to do the right thing by the environment. Hardwood products do more than add beauty to any space, they play an important role in reducing our carbon footprint. Nathan Jeppson, CEO of NWH, shares his thoughts on...

Are we running out of trees? Absolutely not. This video, created by The Timber & Forestry Foundation and narrated by Criswell Davis, gives a brief history of U.S. Forest Resource Management and how we have vastly improved forestry practices over the past 100 years.Criswell Davis says, "In the last one...

“The story of civilization is, in a sense, the story of engineering—that long and arduous struggle to make the forces of nature work for man’s good.” - L. Sprague de Camp  When author L. Sprague de Camp was writing his science fiction and fantasy books in the 1960s and 70s, scientific understanding...

Why Choose an Alder Pallet? Durability: Alder wood has a higher durability quality than softwood, making Alder pallet stock more resistant to wear and tear, reducing costs over time by decreasing the need for frequent pallet repair or replacement. Deflection: Alder has excellent strength when placed in racking that supports only...

A growing library of research points to the multiple health benefits of using wood for structural and decorative elements of interior design.A groundbreaking study by the University of British Columbia, for example, measured wood’s ability to reduce stress levels in an office setting. “This study provides evidence that wood provides...

Soft Maple: The Classic Choice with Market FluctuationsSoft Maple is widely used in furniture making and architectural millwork due to its smooth texture, fine grain, and appealing range of colors—from creamy pale tones to soft pinkish brown hues. Its balance of durability and pliability makes it a go-to material for...

So, what makes Alder worth considering as an alternative to European Beech? From its warm aesthetics to its reliable performance, Alder brings an array of benefits that make it an excellent choice for today’s demanding projects. Aesthetic Appeal: Warm, Clean, and VersatileWhen it comes to visual impact, Alder is hard...

Over 50 years ago NWH entered the hardwood lumber business with a single sawmill in Arlington, WA that focused on cutting Alder. At this time Alder was considered a low value, little known hardwood that was used for a variety of different applications and was considered an inferior wood as...

An investment of new hardwood floors in a new or renovated home or commercial property will last for decades, especially when consumers properly maintain and care for their hardwood floors.Fortunately, hardwood floors are easy to maintain. But do your customers know this?We run into occasional misconceptions about hardwood floors that...

Alder’s popularity continues to grow as it solidifies its role as one of the most versatile species of hardwood.Because of its natural consistency, beautiful color, and workability with both hand and machine tools, Alder complements a variety of design schemes and is ideal for projects such as furniture sets, interior...

We all want to make choices that are good for the bottom line and for our planet. Fortunately, choosing hardwood products is both. Because of a variety of factors ranging from deciduous trees' reproduction to their carbon-absorbing powers, hardwood lumber is one of the most environmentally responsible building materials available....

We take pride in our implementation of modern technology at Northwest Hardwoods. It’s not just about cutting costs—our technologically-based systems allow us to minimize waste, increase employee safety, ensure the consistent quality of our products, and improve the overall customer experience. The lumber industry isn’t exactly new. Its significant history in...

We’re back from Las Vegas and the 2019 Kitchen & Bath Industry Shows (KBIS) and International Builders’ Show (IBS). The joint event for builders and designers exhibits the latest ideas, appliances and technologies. “The energy was palpable,” says Brian Pagel, Senior Vice President of Emerald Expositions, one of the event’s...

Today’s practices for growing, harvesting and milling U.S. hardwoods make this building and design material an environmentally friendly, economically conscious and socially responsible choice for a range of applications, from furniture and flooring to cabinetry, millwork and more. Below are 5 reasons to consider American hardwoods when creating beautiful wood...

At Northwest Hardwoods, we take safety seriously.In an industry that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers to include some of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, we have to.We are committed to providing a safe place to work for each one of our employees.  It is...

Revitalizing Red Oak with Cerused Finishing Back in the ‘70s through early ‘90s, oak cabinetry – often seen in a golden, “honey spiced” hue – dominated kitchens and bathrooms across the country. But, with the onset of newer design options hitting the market, including maple, cherry and engineered wood alternatives,...

We recently returned from High Point, N.C., where we attended the Fall 2018 High Point Market. Dubbed “fashion week for home furnishings,” High Point Market – the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world –  boasts 11.5 million square feet of showspace, featuring everything from furniture and casegoods to...

With several species and grades available, hardwoods – whether American or globally sourced – are cost-effective and high-quality materials suitable for a range of applications and industries, from furniture and cabinetry manufacturing to interior design and construction. An added benefit is that hardwoods are often considered an environmentally friendly and...

Through its membership with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), which promotes American hardwoods overseas and is a partner of The London Design Festival, Northwest Hardwoods has donated American tulipwood for a pavilion installation called MultiPly to be featured in the Sackler courtyard of the Victoria & Albert Museum in...

From on-time and on-grade products to an unwavering commitment to its customers, Northwest Hardwoods continues to think ahead and lead with high-quality products and approaches to market. The company announced the launch of its new marketing campaign, Lumber Brings Everything to Life at IWF 2018, which unites its two brands...

Cabinetry is a great way to add functionality and style to a space – whether a kitchen, bathroom, basement or laundry room. But, it can also be a substantial investment, so it must be built to last. That’s why hardwoods – offering a combination of versatility, durability and beauty –...

Northwest Hardwoods has donated $25,000 worth of lumber to the new Forestry Complex at Oregon State University. The lumber donation of alder wood will uniquely and innovatively be used as cladding for the outside of the new building.   The Oregon State University College of Forestry is an internationally-recognized leader...

Photo Courtesy of Canyon Creek Cabinet Co.   Workable. Versatile. Beautiful. It’s easy to see why alnus rubra – better known as Alder – has gained popularity in the global wood industry, particularly among cabinetry and furniture makers. What is Western Alder The primary hardwood of the west, alder grows within the...

The working properties of African Redwood, or Mukulungu, make it ideal for decks, siding and other outdoor applications.African Redwood, or Mukulungu, is a tropical hardwood ideally suited for commercial or residential applications, including decking, because of its durability, rich color and fine texture. It also happens to be a great...

The alder tree: understated, fast-growing and resilient. This is how Northwest Hardwoods veteran and current Hardwood Lumber Product Manager, Dave Bosley, views the company that gave him his start 39 years ago.“Working at Northwest Hardwoods has been like being on a rocket,” said Bosley, who has witnessed the company change...

If you're thinking of trying a new wood species for a project, research is key to your success. Choosing the best wood material for the job requires more than evaluating options based on looks, durability and grade—it’s also important to consider stability. Knowing how stable a species is helps you...

When asked what the biggest misconception is about his job as Timber Resource Manager for Northwest Hardwoods (NWH) in northwest Pennsylvania, Christopher Guth laughs and says quickly, "When I say I’m a forester, people think I mean forest ranger. They think I’m up in a fire tower looking for smoke."...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XypOhfdhDcoAmerican Hardwood Improves Our Lives | Criswell Davis | TEDxDayton Iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright described wood as “universally beautiful to man. It is the most humanly intimate of all materials.” Biophilic design brings the symbiotic relationship human beings have with trees into the interior spaces of where we live, bringing...