Residential spending in North America on decking and railing will rise 10% next year to total $3.1 billion, in part because of a revival in the price and market share for wood decking, Principia Partners predicts.

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Initiatives by two of the premier green certification schemes are pushing the green building movement into a new, more complicated phase–a phase that could bring new opportunities for LBM dealers.

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The share of builders reporting problems repaying acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) loans from banks has increased in the past year, survey data collected by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and reported today indicates.

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American Lumber reports it has been steadily growing its FSC offering and now boasts over a million board feet of FSC material available right from inventory. “We have FSC pine, cedar, spruce, fir, hardwood plywood, and more all generally available from stock for quick delivery.” American has worked particularly hard to grow its FSC offering in commonly used domestic species.

“For many FSC buyers, LEED compatibility is important.  LEED rewards the % of FSC material used in a project, so being able to get FSC material in the most commonly used items is key.  It’s great to have the tropical hardwoods like Ipe, and we do, but for LEED it’s the old standby’s that matter most. We have to make it possible for an FSC-certified customer to call us for some cedar bevel or 2x4 SPF without worrying that it will take weeks or not be available at all.

“It’s no secret that the number one dealer concern about selling FSC-certified lumber is availability.  We felt with our first-mover advantage that we’ve been in a good position to change that.”

American Lumber has held FSC certification since 2007, making it the first wholesale lumber distributor in the northeast to address the growing interest in FSC wood.

Says Kaye of American Lumber: "Don't bet against the current.  Whoever fills the consumer's needs, wins."

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New innovations from NuCedar Mills®, manufacturer of the pre-finished PVC siding with the lifetime warranty, now enhance the siding and trim line. The improved clip system makes installation even simpler, eliminating the expansion and contraction risk commonly faced by vinyl installers when they fasten too tightly.  Combined with the universal trim system which “makes installation a snap”, and the manufacturer’s active support for new installers, putting up NuCedar is now unbelievably easy.

NuCedar also continues to innovate in product offering.  In addition to a growing line of vertical siding, the new rough-sawn texture option may be the most realistic-looking wood alternative on the market.

“NuCedar is a terrific option for anyone who wants the appearance of painted CVG cedar siding but wants a low-maintenance option.  NuCedar carries a lifetime warranty and never needs to be replaced or repainted.  The paint process also carries unique ‘green’ benefits that will appeal enormously to environmentally-conscious homeowners.

“Architects agree that of all alternatives to wood siding, NuCedar is the highest quality and most realistic.”

American Lumber is now proud to offer Glen Oak domestic hardwood.   Highlights of the line include:

• Oak, cherry, and poplar S4S boards

• Prime Poplar® Zero-VOC paint-primed FJ poplar

• Engineered Solutions™ veneered FJ/EG for extra-stable clear wides and longs

• Stepping and other specialty profiles

“We’ve long known Glen Oak as one of the elite American hardwood manufacturers for boards. They are dedicated to doing things right, rather than doing whatever is cheap – so for example, they don’t end up compressing the grain of their oak boards as some other manufacturers do trying to save costs.  

“But they have now achieved such a well-organized operation that they are price-competitive even while offering the high-end product.”

The domestic hardwood line complements American’s existing strength in hardwood plywood.

Sidney M. Kaye turned 90 this year - as did American Lumber.

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American Lumber is pleased to present Sourcing Green Products, a webinar offered through the NRLA.  Participants can earn CBMS education credits. Those who miss the live webinar may purchase the DVD through the NRLA.  The course description is as follows:

Amid all the media buzz, there is a niche and market demand for ‘green’ or sustainable, high performance products in the construction supply industry.

Learn what customers are looking for in a green product and how to differentiate between a ‘green’ product and ‘green washing’. Hear about valuable resources you can use today to locate and start carrying green products and educate your customers to enhance sales.

American Lumber is pleased to introduce the newest addition to its line of acoustical products from Quiet Solution. 

QuietPad floor underlayment reduces impact noise in high-rise concrete construction such as hotels, condominiums, and office buildings. The new product provides superior performance to other popular rubber and cork underlayments at significantly lower cost.

QuietPad is only 1/16” thick, contrasted with alternatives which are often ¼” thick or more.  It is affixed directly to the concrete subfloor and allows attachment of wood or tile directly on top, without an extra layer in between.

“Anyone building a high rise today needs to re-evaluate their underlayment choice immediately – or risk throwing money and performance out the window,” according to Steve Weiss of Quiet Solution.  

American Lumber first introduced QuietRock® to the northeastern marketplace in 2004, and continues to promote the Quiet Solution line to builders and architects in support of QuietRock® dealers across the region.