Texas linebacker scores in redwood

lltHEN asked to comPare the UU lumber business with football, Lee Roy Jordan, former Dallas Cowboy linebacker, said it all boils down to the qualitY of People You have on your team. If you have quality on the management level and on the field, you're headed for success.

Jordan has met with success in Texas-on the football field and in the business. He came to be a lumber merchant by chance. Originally, he was looking for a car dealershiP.

When the deal fell through, his banker told him about an established lumber company on the market, and Jordan has been a lumberman since 1977. A decision he doesn't regret.

Lee Roy Jordan Redwood Con- sists of two office/stocking yardsone in Dallas and one in Austin, Tx. Jordan estimates 5090 of his sales are to lumber dealers and the other half direct to contractors.

He explained that Texas is an excellent market for redwood. Outdoor living ls a tradition, so naturally redwood is popular for decks, trellises, shade structures and surrounds for spas, tubs and pools. Texas is influenced by West Coast architects and as a result wood siding is rapidly growing in popularity. The increasing costs of brick and labor have also contributed to the use of wood. Redwood receives a good share ofthe demand because of its beauty and reputation for performance.

Redwood sales remained relatively stable in spite of the slump in new construction because remodeling projects made up the difference, Jordan said. People may be staying in their homes longer, but they are improving them to fit their families and suit new lifestyles. Redwood is often used for room additions both on the inside and outside. Jordan said there has been an increase in the use of redwood for accent walls and ceilings. Deck additions are seien as a way to increase living space without the cost of a complete room addition. The popularity of spas and hot tubs has created another strong market for redwood in providing decking and amenities. The majority of the remodeling that is going on is being done in affluent neighborhoods which make up redwood's strongest base of customers.

Lee Roy Jordan Lumber Co. establishes contact with customers by attending homebuilder and building supply shows. Company representatives attend meetings of the builder associations.

"It's surprising how many people

Story at a Glance

Jordan scores in redwood as wellas football... ranch home demonstrates beauty and ver. satility of rustic siding . . Texas developing excellent redwood market.

showcasing his merchandise. Both the offices in Dallas and Austin display redwood paneling and Jordan's new home on a 560 acre working cattle ranch is clad in redwood knotty rustic siding.

Jordan says he's excited about his new home and its location near Wills Point-about an hours drive from Dallas. He spends weekends and holidays there with his family and is looking forward to making it a permanent residence.

Rustic redwood siding was a natural choice for the ranchhouse. "We wanted it to look like it belonged on the ranch. What we didn't want was something that looked like it was brought in from town. " Working with architect Larry Lacy, Jordan helped design a luxurious 3600 sq. ft. home with a typically-Texas profile.

here think of redwood as just decking material. We always display redwood siding in our booth to give them an idea of some of the other uses." Jordan is an advocate of

Jordan chose redwood rustic sidings for the ranchhouse because the knotty texture which characterize this new redwood product worked well with the rural design. The sturdy, thick-butt, rabbeted bevel pattern used is air-dried for stability and creates a strong shadow line and is one of the easiest to apply. Jordan ex-

Lee Roy Jordan

plained that redwood rustic sidings are gaining in popularity because they offer many of the traditional redwood values at an economical price.

Some of the other features built into the ranchhouse include inviting porches and decks that run along three sides of the house. Inside, a soaring l0 x 28 natural stone fireplace sets the tone for entertainment and living areas. Wood paneling and wainscotting combine with the use of textured plaster to create a feeling of country living at its best. The first floor has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths and second floor combines a bunk room and game room complete with pool table.

0ESlGt{-A-DECK, the California Redwood Association's successlul d-i-y deck conslruction package, is available l0 relailers and consumers. Comolete olans. materials lists. pre-punched deck templates and a 20-0. instruction manual hel0 l0 sell redwood. Pictured is a typical dealer promotion using these materials.