LOUISIANA OUTLOOK

JAMES L. DUKE erecullve vlce prealdent tFUe business outlook continues to I improve in most areas. Experts predict a 33%0/o increase in single family homes and a 2290 increase in multi-family units. Estimated annual housing starts will range in the area of 1.45 million. If interest rates continue to decline, we may be on the long road to recovery.

We sincerely hope you will remember what you have experienced and learned during the past 3G36 months. Control is the watch word.

Commodity prices find lumber very firm and rising. Roofing is under threat of allocation with a l09o price increase announced. Gypsum's price is firm with some manufacturers on allocation. A severe shortage of Portland cement is expected. Prices on sheathing plywood are firm.

From what we hear, prices will continue to rise as demand moves up. Most all asphalt products will be in short supplv.

Is wood bevel siding over rigid foam still a problem? From our obscrvation most failure is due to improper application. Full instructions are included in siding packages. You should remind purchasers to read instructions before application.

Pneumatic nailers and staple guns tend to cause splits because of the void behind the siding. The last lick of the hammer is very important. Fasteners must penetrate wall studs I % inches. We have yet to se€ a staple long enough to do the job.