For expert tips and ideas on everything "wood", check out the "The Wood Whisperer" blog! A last minute gift idea for the woodworker in the family may be this movie he recently reviewed - "Woodshop". A bit on the cheesy, corny side, but for those into wood, it might be a good laugh!http://thewoodwhisperer.com/woodshop-the-movie/

DIY Home Energy Assessment

The last thing we want to think about during the holidays is another project around the house.  However, taking the time to do a home energy assessment can potentially save you some serious cash in the New Year.  Check out the Dept. of Energy's DIY tips; many utility companies also offer in-home assessments for a small fee.

Honeysuckle!

Honeysuckle has officially been declared the color for 2011.  So how can one possibly incorporate this color into wood?  Check out this picture!  Beautiful white wainscot combined with a great pink color wall and green accents!

Building or Renovating your home this year?

Click here to check out tips from Builder Magazine on the top products to consider!

Thanks to Frugal Farmhouse Design for mentioning our Eastern White Pine flooring! We look forward to seeing pictures of your finished kitchen. Be sure to check out Lori's blog and her shop (The White Flower Farmhouse) to see her beautiful designs!

This holiday season give the woodworker or do-it-yourselfer in the family a head start on their projects with a gift certificate to Wightman Specialty Woods!

There are no restrictions or expiration dates on our gift certificates in case that New Year's project doesn't get started as soon as the ball drops!

Get in the spirit of the season by making a wreath!

Wreaths are easy to make and don't have to cost a lot of money - you can find many parts of your wreath from your own backyard (pine cones, evergreens, holly bushes) or from decorations you already have (ribbons, bows, dried flowers) - the possibilities are endless!
Click here to learn more!

The holiday season has arrived!

Do you know which state is the top producer of Christmas trees in the U.S.?
Oregon! (though New York is in the top ten)

Thanksgiving trivia!

Did you know?
President Abraham Lincoln established the original date for our National Thanksgiving Day celebration in 1863, but it wasn't until 1941 that Congress officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday.

Winter heating season has arrived!

To help out with that heating bill, you may consider wood products as a source of heat. Check out The Department of Energy information on wood and pellet stoves to learn more!

How long should firewood 'season' before burning?

Answer: Regardless of the specie, it is best to burn firewood that has been drying for 1 year. Wood that has dried less than a year will produce a lot of smoke & not burn well, whereas wood that has been adequately dried will burn clean and hot!

The totals are in!

Our Silent Woodworking Auction raised close to $1,500 for 2 wonderful charities: Springbrook of Oneonta, and the Ronald McDonald House of Albany. Many thanks to the woodworkers and bidders!

Thanks to everyone to came out for our 17th Annual Open House on Saturday! We enjoyed sharing the day with you all. Look for an update in our next email newsletter!

Which wood is the "hardest"?

a. White Ash
b. American cherry
c. Hard Maple
d. Red Oak

Answer: Wood "hardness" is measured using the Janka Hardness test. Of these species, Hard Maple has the highest level of "hardness".

Only 3 weeks left before our Fall Open House!!

Click here to visit our website and learn more about the exciting activities we have planned for the whole family on Saturday Oct. 2nd! You can also preview some of the first items entered into our silent auction!

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Weekly wood question: What main factors influence autumn leaf color change?

Answer: Lack of water and sunlight.

The decrease in sunlight and water during the fall months causes photosynthesis to stop. Once photosynthesis ceases, trees will change color, loose their leaves and rest for the winter, living off the food they produced during the summer.

Local builder succeeds with Wightman's Custom-Joined!

Background

Based in Latham, New York, Faddegon’s Building and Remodeling is an upscale residential construction and remodeling company that specializes in custom designs. Utilizing Wightman’s Custom-Joined paneling Faddegon’s delivers a one-of-a-kind ceiling to a valued client.

The Challenge
Quality construction is paramount in each of Faddegon’s projects. “We always strive to locate high quality, aesthetically pleasing materials for our customers that are easy for us to work with and fit into our clients budgets”, says owner and operator Jim Faddegon. The company employs a small yet highly skilled crew of craftsmen who are well versed in all aspects of building.

The Solution

Wightman’s solid wood materials have been the ideal solution for many of Faddegon’s projects. Strict quality controls throughout the manufacturing process as well as the ability to customize materials were key considerations for Faddegon when selecting Wightman’s products. “Being a small business owner myself I also like to source locally made products”, says Faddegon.

The company’s most recent project was a 2,000 square foot ceiling covered with Wightman’s select Cherry paneling. Wightman’s new “Custom-Joined” materials were chosen to allow for a quick and efficient installation.

“When consulting with Wightman’s on this project they offered us the Custom-Joined paneling as an alternative to a traditional random length paneling product. After some initial skepticism we decided to give the Custom-Joined a try. What a great product! The pre-assembled lengths allowed our crew to complete the ceiling in a much shorter amount of time, the boards were perfectly straight and the machined joints were tight and flawless”, says Faddegon. “Our client also saved on the cost of the project; since the paneling was manufactured to the exact length specifications of the ceiling there was no need to order extra materials to account for waste.”

“We feel that Wightman Specialty Woods is a proven and accomplished manufacturer of solid wood materials”, Faddegon claims. “They produce high quality products offered at reasonable prices and we feel confident using their materials for any of our customers”.

Save the date!

Wightman's Annual Open House
Saturday October 2, 2010
8:30am - 1:00pm
Click here to learn more about the exciting events we have planned for the day!

Wood question of the week

What tree have these leaves come from?



Answer: Red Oak tree! (notice the lobes - they are pointed; White Oak leaves have rounded lobes)

Remodeling a home?

Some of the most popular renovations helping to enhance the comfort and functionality of homes today are:

1. Kitchen makeovers
2. Bathroom renovations
3. Energy improvements (don't forget to check the Department of Energy site for rebates available!)
4. Landscaping

Silent Auction Woodworking Event!

Saturday October 2, 2010

Wightman’s annual open house is just around the corner! For all you woodworkers out there, our Silent Auction Woodworking Event offers a great opportunity for you to promote your work, earn some extra dollars, and also donate to 2 wonderful charities - the Ronald McDonald House of Albany, and Springbrook of Oneonta.

To submit a piece to this event or for more information, please contact Naomi at 607.286.9201, or Naomi@wightmanspecialtywoods.com.

More tips on small upgrades that make a big impact!

Wood question of the week

What's the difference between an arbor and a pergola?

Answer: Pergola's are generally more elaborate and substantial structures than arbors and are often used to cover walkways or outdoor sitting areas such as decks and patios.

Looking to spruce up your home in today's economy?

Here are some great suggestions!

Wood question of the week

What 2 "preserves" make up New York's Forest Preserve?

Answer: The Adirondack Forest Preserve and the Catskill Forest Preserve contain approximately 3 million acres of Forest Preserve lands that are protected as "forever wild" by the New York State Constitution.

To learn more visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4960.html

Take a tour!

Our online virtual tour shows you how your wood materials are made right here in central NY! (remember to turn on your speakers)
http://www.wightmanspecialtywoods.com/milltour.htm

Wood question of the week

Identify the structure pictured.













Answer: Arbor - a freestanding structure often placed over walkways or at entrances to gardens. Arbors may be purely decorative or functional with use of trellises, benches or swings.

"Home for the New Economy"

Interesting article about what today's new home buyers are looking for - click here to check it out!

Remodeling a staircase?

Check out this DIY step-by-step guide!

Wood question of the week

What type of mouldings are pictured here?













Answer: Casing mouldings - typically used where walls meet doors and windows.

What did Noah's Ark and the first doors of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome have in common? Legend has it that both were made of Cypress!

Interested in our Cypress materials? The Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association is a great resource for learning more about this beautiful wood!

Have a safe & happy 4th of July!

Wood question of the week: What does "VOC" stand for?

Answer: Volatile organic compounds
When tackling those weekend projects, be sure to look for "low" or "no" VOC paints, stains, & finishes.

Router Basics

From "The Family Handyman/Woman" - great article on the basics of using a router: http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Woodworking/Woodworking-Tools/router-basics

Wood question of the week

What wood specie is typically used as flooring for basketball courts?

Answer: Maple
Maple's high level of hardness and good shock resistance make it the premier choice!

Looking for a fun & easy woodworking project?

Try making wood building blocks for the kids! Here are some neat ideas: http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/wooden-building-blocks.html

Technopalooza!

Check out our Facebook page to see photos of Middleburgh High School's recent Technopalooza! Many of the wood materials used to create these beautiful pieces came from Wightman Specialty Woods.

Wood question of the week

What type of home construction is pictured here?

Answer: Post and Beam

Timber frame and Post and Beam construction articulate the skeleton of a building by exposing the timber components of the building frame. Though very similar in style, timber frame and post and beam construction differ in joinery. In true timber frames all joints are made using wood pegs or wedges (mortise and tenon joints). In Post and beam construction mechanical fasteners and steel plate connectors are often used to join adjacent members together. These connectors may be hidden or exposed in various ways.

Wightman featured in "Shop Talk"!

Wightman Specialty Woods was recently featured in The Daily Star's "Shop Talk" - click here to read the article!

What will you make?

Our craftsmen raised more than $2,600 last year for themselves, the Ronald McDonald House of Albany and Springbrook by submitting pieces to our Annual Open House silent auction.
Get ready to save the date and make this year another great event!

Wightman's Annual Open House will take place on Saturday October 2, 2010. All types of woodworking pieces will be accepted to the silent auction including carvings, furniture, turnings and more.

If you would like to receive details and an entry form please call 607.286.9201 or email naomi@wightmanspecialtywoods.com.

Give us a call for your next woodworking project!

We have a wide variety of northeastern species available this month in various widths and lenghts!

Species include: Basswood, Black Walnut, Birch, Butternut, Cherry, Hard Maple, Hickory, Red Oak, Soft Maple, and White Oak.

You may purchase in large quantities or even just 1 board!
Minimum orders for Small Lot Wholesale are 200 Board Feet

Wood question of the week

True or False? Today, New York State contains more forest lands than it did 80 years ago?

Answer: True! Today, 61% of the land in New York is forest land. 80 years ago New York contained only half this area of forest.

To learn more visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/economic.pdf

Stop on in!

With summer officially underway, please stop in and see us if you're in the area! We're located just 12 miles south of Cooperstown (http://www.thisiscooperstown.com/) and are open Mon - Fri 8:00-4:30, Saturdays 8:00 - noon. Have a great weekend!

Wood question of the week

What pigment gives leaves their green coloring during the summer?

Answer: Chlorophyll

May Profile: EcobuildersNY

Building is in the genes of the Najdek family of Millerton, New York. As residents of this Hudson Valley community for ten generations, the Najdek's have been makers of fine furniture, cabinetry, and homes. As the third generation of builders in the family, Donald Najdek worked for many years in high end home construction throughout the Hudson Valley. In 2007, realizing a changing landscape in his industry, Donald began to rethink his building methods of the past. On December 1 of that year he made the decision to take his business in a new direction and EcoBuildersNY was born.

Donald's vision was to continue creating beautiful spaces for his clients, but re-think the science behind the construction of these spaces. Like the generations of builders before him, Donald wanted to build sound structures he knew would last for years to come.

Today, EcoBuilders' range of capabilities are extensive. Donald and his crew of seven full time employees complete projects from rehabilitation of historic homes to design of contemporary residences, pool houses, cabanas, decks, and even projects as small as changing out fixtures. Donald's goal is to provide each client with his undivided attention regardless of the size or scope of their project. He not only acts as a general contractor and builder, but also as a consultant to home owners, professional architects and designers. Researching and understanding the best alternatives for each project are the core of his mission. Donald is committed to utilizing high performance, energy efficient, and when possible, locally produced building materials.

In addition to smart construction, job site waste and energy conservation are of key importance to EcoBuilders. At each of their job sites, rather than setting up one large dumpster, many small dumpsters are put in place so that waste materials may be separated. By segregating all waste when it is initially removed, recyclables can be easily delivered to larger recycling facilities and clients realize significant savings by returning materials that may be repurposed (ie. concrete, metal materials and 'clean' wood).

EcoBuilders strives to conserve energy at their sites by generating their own power as often as possible. One of their trailers is equipped with solar electric panels and a battery bank system for power generation. This system decreases the need for fossil fuel powered generators and also works particularly well at sites where access to power is limited or during times when electricity must be turned off at a job site.

EcoBuildersNY is a great example of how today's builders are rethinking building practices and making our homes more comfortable while also minimizing our carbon footprints. This ensures a healthy way of life for us and generations to come.

To learn more about EcoBuildersNY please visit http://www.ecobuildny.com/. Donald Najdek may be contacted at 845.233.0928 or donald@ecobuildny.com.

Wood question of the week

How many board feet are in a board measuring 1 inch x 6 inches x 8 feet?
a. 8 BF
b. 12 BF
c. 4 BF

Answer: C, 4 BF
Board footage is calculated by multiplying (Length (feet) x Width (inches) x Thickness (inches)) and dividing by 12.
In this case: (8 feet x 6 inches x 1 inch) /12 = 4

*Note: Width and Thickness are nominal, so in this case 6" width and 1" thickness. In the lumber industry, "nominal" and "finished" dimensions are different. Nominal dimensions are the original measurements of the board in its rough state. Finishing the board (making it smooth and/or adding a profile) removes small amounts of wood material therefore diminishing the nominal dimension. A nominal 1x6 board will have "finished" dimensions of 13/16" x 5 1/4" (or somewhere in this range, depending on the manufacturer and their equipment).

Refinishing your wood deck

With the summer months fast approaching, you may be looking for a way to spruce up your outdoor space. Refinishing a wood deck is a simple do-it-yourself project that will give your home a fresh new look.

Steps to take:

1. Wash/power wash your deck.

2. Sand your deck and railings taking extra care in areas where the wood has splintered.

3. Apply stain and/or outdoor sealer to your deck depending on the look you'd like to achieve.

Sit back and enjoy!

Wood question of the week

What specie of wood is most often used for making baseball bats?

Answer: Most wooden bats are made from White Ash, but in recent years Maple has become a popular option. This trend started with the success Barry Bonds had with maple bats during the 2001 season.

Wood question of the week

What pest is affecting northeastern Hemlock trees?

Answer: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is related to aphids. These pests extract sap and nutrients from hemlock foliage which prevents new growth. Hemlocks may die within 4 years or persist in a weakened state for many years. Currently 20 countie...

Interested in home improvement, woodworking, trees and many other cool things involving wood materials? Sign up for our monthly email newsletter! http://www.wightmanspecialtywoods.com/

Wood question of the week!

Which tool is used by a carpenter to shape and smooth wood?

a. Plane
b. Rasp
c. File
d. Spokeshave

Answer: All 4 of these tools may act to shape and smooth wood.

Plane: There are many different types of hand planes available to produce different types of cuts, but all planes contain a sharp blade that shaves off pieces of the wood into the cutter's desired shape.

Rasp: Rasps are used for shaping wood wherever a chisel might be too large or might create tear-out in a project. Rasps are found in flat, half-round, and round shapes and in a range of coarsenesses.

File: Files are basically rasps but offer a finer cut.

Spokeshave: Spokeshaves, which must be pushed or pulled with both hands, are used for shaping and smoothing rounded objects, such as spindles.

Celebrate Earth Day!

In honor of Earth day, we'd like to share with you again the steps that Wightman Specialty Woods takes each and every day to ensure the safety and well being of our planet. By completing all wood manufacturing processes at our facility we keep our carbon footprint on planet Earth as small as possible, while also ensuring our customers the highest quality materials at reasonable costs.

Take a virtual tour of our facility and read our commitment to environmental responsibility at: http://www.wightmanspecialtywoods.com/enviro.htm, and http://www.wightmanspecialtywoods.com/milltour.htm

To learn more about Earth Day, events in your local area, and what you can do to make an impact, visit http://www.earthday.org/

Wood question of the week!

1. What is the definition of paneling?

2. What was the original purpose of paneling?

a. Structural
b. Decoration
c. Insulation


Answers:

1. Paneling is "a wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid components". Traditional paneling materials are interlocking wood pieces, but paneling today exists in a wide variety of other materials. Recently, paneling has also become popular as a ceiling covering.

2. C, insulation. Paneling was originally developed to act as insulation to make the rooms of cold stone buildings more comfortable.

April Profile: Barney Small, Woodworker, Cabinet maker

With no formal training in woodworking, other than his high school shop class, Barney Small is truly a self taught woodworker. Developing his skills mainly through trial and error over the years, Barney has always maintained woodworking as a hobby. He worked for Suit-Kote in Cortland, New York for a number of years as an asphalt grinding machine operator, helping with the rejuvenation of asphalt materials to be re-purposed for new roadways. After this, Barney owned and operated a trucking business for almost a decade, before retiring. Today Barney has returned to his love of woodworking and has unexpectedly created a new career for himself.

The very first wood piece that Barney made was a cherry hutch for his wife. This turned out so well that he began crafting other household furniture including desks and stand alone cabinetry. Barney would search through various catalogs for ideas, taking different elements and combining them together to create a unique style of his own; he refers to these as his "shake and bake" designs. Initially Barney enjoyed the challenge of creating his pieces without the use of prints, however, when he began building and designing kitchen cabinets, the complexity of the projects demanded that plans be drawn in advance.

In a way, Barney "stumbled" onto his cabinetry business. In the process of assisting his daughter in her home renovation, when the time came to revitalize the kitchen his daughter asked "well Dad, are you going to build the kitchen cabinets or should I buy them?" Barney pondered the question. He had never built kitchen cabinets before, and even admits that being a 'typical male', he had never really taken much notice of kitchen cabinets in the past. Intrigued by the idea, he examined his own cabinetry and concluded that compared with the other wood pieces he had created in the past, the cabinets didn't seem too difficult. He agreed to take on the challenge, drew up a set of prints, and created custom Red Oak cabinets for his daughters kitchen.

As the saying goes, the rest is history. Word began to spead that Barney was building kitchen cabinets and he started receiving inquiries. He now completes about 2 kitchen projects each year; enough to keep him busy with this new path and also allow him the freedom to enjoy his retirement. He currently works with a local designer who creates prints for his projects, which he then uses to calculate his material requirements and labor. Barney produces everything in his wood shop, which has graduated from his basement to a 700 square foot addition onto his garage.

Barney Small has proven that it's never too late to begin something new and we often find that life leads us down an unanticipated path when we least expect it!

If you are interested in speaking with Barney about a potential project, he may be reached at 607.334.9889

March Profile: Faddegon's Building and Remodeling

For decades the Faddegon family has been known throughout Albany and its surrounding area for the business that Cornelius Faddegon began in 1920: Faddegon's Nursery - now a 40-acre garden center and landscape facility located along Troy-Schenectady Road in Latham, NY. After graduating college with a degree in landscape design Jim Faddegon began his career in the family business. Focusing on the nursery's corporate design clients, Jim designed and coordinated the production of plantscapes for nearly 200 corporate accounts (typically office facilities) throughout the capital region. For over 30 years he worked with his family operating the nursery until ten years ago when life took him down a different path. In 1999 Jim decided to start a business of his own and "Faddegon's Building and Remodeling" was born. As with many new businesses the first years were challenging, but Jim was fortunate to have the assistance of a skilled carpenter who helped him to develop the key skills and techniques that served as the fundamental building blocks for his business.

Over the past decade Jim has grown Faddegon's Building and Remodeling through word of mouth referrals and repeat customers who know the quality workmanship and dedication that Jim and his crew put into each and every project. Faddegon's Building and Remodeling now employs a crew of 5 full time craftsmen who specialize in detailed trim work and custom creations. The company's main focus is on upscale residential remodeling, additions, and new construction. Jim has also partnered with Barden Homes to offer his customers an economical alternative to stick built home construction. The Barden panelized systems allow homes to be completed quickly and efficiently with the same quality craftsmanship as traditional stick built structures. Just last month Faddegon's completed a new Barden home in about 2 months.

In addition to his main focus on interior work, with his background in landscape design Jim is also able to offer his clients a unique perspective for exterior projects. When plantings and landscape work are involved, Jim will often coordinate these projects with Faddegon's nursery.

Always striving to deliver the best possible service to his clients, Jim is currently in the process of creating a web based system in which clients may log on to a secure site to check the status of their projects and receive progress reports.

To learn more about Faddegon's Building and Remodeling and see examples of their fine work, please visit: http://faddegonbuilders.com/. Jim Faddegon may be contacted at 518-783-2044, or jpfaddegon@yahoo.com.

To learn more about Faddegon's Nursery, please visit: http://faddegons.com/

New! Custom Joined materials

Check out new information on our solid wood custom joined materials!

Celebrating 65 years!

As we celebrate our 65th year in business, we honor the relationships we have developed over the years with you, our customers. In large part the foundation of our success comes from your continued support and referrals. Thank you for choosing our materials for your projects over the years and we look forward to serving you in the future!

Visit us at the Hudson Valley Builders Trade Show!

Wednesday March 3, 2010
2:00pm - 7:30 pm
Anthony's Pier 9
New Windsor, NY

Free admission to card carrying professionals
$5 general public

25% off Strip Cherry flooring!

2 1/4" width, Select and Rustic grades

February Profile: Victorian Builders and Remodeling

Brian Squire began his career as a builder in the mid-west and New England areas completing home renovations and constructing barns and stables. When life brought him to settle in the Hudson Valley in 1993, Brian and his wife Eva formed their own company, Victorian Builders and Remodeling. Initially working out of their house, they completed home renovations and various projects requested by their clients. As Victorian Builders became known through the Hudson Valley area for quality workmanship and customer care, business increased and additional staff was hired to meet the growing demand. In just six short years, Victorian Builders and Remodeling was incorporated and new offices and a shop were constructed at their current location in Cottekill, NY.

Today, with a staff of nine, Victorian Builders has grown to become one of the most respected contractors in the Hudson Valley area. Truly a versatile organization, they are known for completing everything from small bathroom renovations to brand new homes to unique construction projects. Brian and Eva's motto is: if their customers can dream it, Victorian Builders can build it! With their wide range of construction experience and skilled crew, Brian and Eva are able to complete projects that architects have designed or home owners have envisioned. For those clients whose project ideas are not yet fully developed, Victorian Builders helps them to create a direction and design that complements their lifestyle.

Always striving to meet the needs of every type of home owner, Victorian Builders has teamed up with Alta Log Homes and Normerica Post and Beam Homes to offer these different styles of home construction. Victorian Builders constructs these homes and finishes all interior work with the same quality and attention to detail as they do their own designs.


Victorian Builders is also committed to being an active member of their local community. Each year they sponsor a golf tournament to benefit an organization close to the Victorian Builders "family". Through these events, Victorian Builders has raised and donated thousands of dollars to various organizations including Hospice of Ulster and Dutchess Counties, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the Rondout Valley Food Pantry, and Family of Woodstock's Darmstadt Homeless Shelter and Domestic Violence Shelter.

To learn more about Victorian Builders and Remodeling and see examples of their fine work, please visit their website:

http://www.victorianbuilders.com/.

Brian and Eva will also be exhibiting at the Hudson Valley Builders Association Trade Show coming up Wednesday, March 3 from 2:00pm - 7:30pm at Anthony's Pier 9, New Windsor, NY. Admission is free to all members of the trade, and is $5 for the general public.

New Custom Moulding profiles online

We've updated our custom moulding profiles! Check them out at: http://www.wightmanlumber.com/moulding.htm.

These profiles can be ordered in most northeastern hardwoods and softwoods that we carry; Don't see a profile that matches what you're looking for? No problem - our skilled technicians can create new custom profiles to fit your project specifications.