Digital Edition Sponsored by
THE VOICE OF THE LBM SUPPLY CHAIN
ENGINEERED WOOD SPECIAL ISSUE • WHAT’S COOKING IN MODIFIED WOOD • TREATED LUMBER
B U I L DL I K E AB E A S T
July 2026
Per f or msl i k e at r uss. I nst al l s l i k eawoodI j oi st .
Happy
Anniversary America! From the brand that has helped make celebrations memorable for more than five decades!
Learn more at wolmanizedwood.com or reach out at wolmanizedwoodinfo@arxada.com
Please read all product information available at wolmanizedwood.com before use. © 2026 Arxada
E B I R C S B
Y A D O T
SU
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Patrick Adams padams@526mediagroup.com VICE PRESIDENT Shelly Smith Adams sadams@526mediagroup.com PUBLISHER EMERITUS Alan Oakes MANAGING EDITOR David Koenig • dkoenig@526mediagroup.com SENIOR EDITOR Sara Graves • sgraves@526mediagroup.com COLUMNISTS James Olsen, Kim Drew, Dave Kahle CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Jessie Chen, Jennifer Coskren, Sarah Duenas, Noah Humberston, Bob Lennon, Larry Lizotte, Bill Parsons, Nicholas Ritchie, Patrick Schleisman, Madison Stephens, Robin West
ADVERTISING SALES (714) 486-2735 Chuck Casey • ccasey@526mediagroup.com
Subscribe to receive print, digital, enewsletter & more!
Nick Kosan • nkosan@526mediagroup.com
BPD - BUILDING PRODUCTS DIGEST
John Haugh • jhaugh@526mediagroup.com
DIGITAL SUPPORT Katherine Williams kwilliams@526mediagroup.com
The LBM supply chain’s leading publication for qualified industry decision makers!
CIRCULATION/SUPPORT info@526mediagroup.com A PUBLICATION OF
526 MEDIA GROUP, INC. 151 Kalmus Dr., Ste. J3, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Phone (714) 486-2735 CHANGE OF ADDRESS Send address label from recent issue, new address, and 9-digit zip to address below. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Building Products Digest, 151 Kalmus Dr., Ste. J3, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Building Products Digest (USPS 225) is published monthly at 151 Kalmus Dr., Ste. J3, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 by 526 Media Group, Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Santa Ana, CA, and additional post offices. It is an independently-owned publication for building products retailers and wholesale distributors in 37 states East of the Rockies. Copyright®2026 by 526 Media Group, Inc. Cover and entire contents are fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission. All Rights Reserved. We reserve the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter, and assumes no liability for materials furnished to it. Opinions expressed are those of the authors or persons quoted and not necessarily those of 526 Media Group, Inc. Articles are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or business management advice, nor an endorsement of any company, product, service or individual referenced.
• Update your subscription • Sign up key colleagues • Enroll multiple locations
SUBSCRIBE NOW AT BUILDING-PRODUCTS.COM/SUBSCRIBE
INSIGHT. INFLUENCE. INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE.
Volume 45 • Number 7
4 • building products digest • J
uly 2026
building-products.com
TEXAS STRENGTH
PREMIUM WOOD PRODUCTS DELIVERED One of Texas’ leading independently owned manufacturers, wood preservers, and full-line lumber distributors.
Built on Experience Committed to Quality Focused on YOU!
OVER 78 ACRES…
MILLS + PLANTS + OPERATIONS Proudly serving retail lumber dealers, multi-family brokers, and fence distributors. WALLER, TX
CRESSON, TX
HEMPSTEAD, TX
PREMIUM PRODUCTS YOU CAN COUNT ON:
TOMBALL, TX
Borate Treated Lumber
Pressure Treated Wood
®
<< INBOUND/OUTBOUND RAIL SERVICE AVAILABLE >>
LET’S BUILD SOMETHING STRONG TOGETHER! Contact our team today for pricing, availability, or to request a quote.
SOLIDWOOD FOREST LTD. 42511 Old Houston Hwy | Waller, TX 77484
281–351–9109
rting suppo ss! r o f you sine Thank s family bu a a Tex
www.solidwoodforest.com
KNOWLEDGE INTEGRITY VERSATILITY
------------| CONTENTS
July 2026
VOL. 45 • NO. 7 |------------
STAY CONNECTED ON SOCIALS: @BPDMERCH
10
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
10
08 ACROSS THE BOARD
FEATURE STORY What’s cooking in modified wood?
12
INDUSTRY TRENDS
14
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
28
IN-DEPTH UPDATE:
14
Thermally modified timber—long a darling of Europe— comes of age in North America
Dealers can stand behind the new wave of marine-treated timbers
ENGINEERED WOOD Partnering with APA – The Engineered Wood Association, BPD brings you its largest-ever update on engineered wood products and mass timber, including: • Residential construction outlook • DLT: Dowel-Laminated Timber • Expanding mass timber design toolkit • Mass timber in model codes • Rated concrete formwork • Structural glulam rim board • Latest EWP projects
16
OLSEN ON SALES
18
TRANSFORMING TEAMS
20 LUMBER 411 22 NEWS BRIEFS 44 MOVERS & SHAKERS 50 NEW PRODUCTS 56 DATE BOOK 56 CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE 57 IN MEMORIAM 57 ADVERTISERS INDEX 58 FLASHBACK
THE VOICE OF THE LBM SUPPLY CHAIN
ENGINEERED WOOD SPECIAL ISSUE • WHAT’S COOKING IN MODIFIED WOOD • TREATED LUMBER
July 2026
CHECK OUT THE
B U I L DL I K E AB E A S T
Per f or msl i k e at r uss. I nst al l s l i k eawoodI j oi st .
28
D cover spine 7-26.indd 1
6/17/26 8:34 AM
WWW.BUILDING-PRODUCTS.COM
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
6 • building products digest • J
DIGITAL EDITION
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF
uly 2026
building-products.com
------------| ACROSS THE BOARD
IF THEY HAD ONLY COME ONE MORE TIME ------------ BY PATRICK ADAMS I DON’T BELIEVE there is such a thing as an easy business. Anyone who owns one knows the image of country club lunches, afternoons on the yacht, and the stress of deciding which exotic car to drive is mostly fantasy. The reality is far less glamorous. It’s long days, sleepless nights, adapting, improvising, and persevering through challenges you never saw coming. And that’s just the physical toll. The mental weight follows you home every night and shows up at every family dinner, vacation, holiday and life event. So when a business closes after a long and successful run, it always causes me to reflect. I believe there is something to learn from every experience, whether it mirrors your own life or not. For nearly 20 years, one of my favorite restaurants has been right around the corner. The owner became a friend over the years. Long ago, he and two partners left secure jobs to pursue a vision, a passion, and a dream. From the day they opened until their final day this past Saturday, every detail was exceptional. Every meal felt like the first time. The menu evolved beautifully over two decades. The service never slipped. Most impressive was my friend’s presence. Night after night, year after year, he greeted guests, remembered names, and somehow made every customer feel like they were the most important person in the room. In Southern California, there is certainly no shortage of dining options. But I’ve always believed in supporting small businesses that genuinely care. We celebrated birthdays there. Anniversaries. Company dinners. Countless special occasions. Then, two weeks ago, I received notice that our annual company holiday reservation would need to be canceled. No explanation. A few days later, my friend invited us to dinner on Saturday. When I walked through the door, it felt like opening night all over again. The dining room was overflowing. Every private room was packed. The patio was full. The bar was standing room only. There was a line out the front door. When he came over to greet us, everything felt normal at first. The same hug. The same warm smile. The same kiss on the cheek for my wife. Then he leaned in and quietly said, “I’m sorry, brother. I couldn’t make it work anymore. We have to close. Tonight is our last night.”
8 • building products digest • J
A lifetime of sacrifice. Twenty years of passion. Thousands of 12-hour days. All summarized in a single sentence spoken over the noise of a crowded room. I looked around and asked the obvious question: “How?” The answer hit harder than I expected. Once word got out that they were closing, every night looked exactly like this one. Full dining rooms. Long waits. Loyal customers returning one final time to say goodbye. Then he said something I’ll never forget. “If they had only come one time a month, things might have been different.” That is the part that has stayed with me. We often don’t appreciate things until they’re gone. We assume the businesses, people and institutions that have always been there will somehow always remain there. But every day brings new challenges. Costs rise. Competition grows. Markets shift. The pressure never stops. And too often, support arrives only after the outcome has already been decided. The truth is that community isn’t built during the farewell tour. It’s built in the ordinary days. It’s built when we intentionally support one another during the good times and the hard times. It’s built when we choose to do business with people we believe in. It’s built when we recognize that behind every company logo is a family, a dream, and years of sacrifice. I often describe this industry as a family. Families celebrate together when things are good, but they also show up when things are difficult. They support one another before the crisis, not just after it. Maybe that’s the lesson. Don’t wait until someone is leaving to tell them how much they mattered. Don’t wait until the doors are closing to become their best customer. Don’t wait until support no longer changes the outcome. The people and businesses that make our communities and industries special need us today. As always, it is a privilege to serve you and this great industry. And if this story reminded me of anything, it’s that the strongest communities aren’t built by words of support after the fact. They’re built by actions taken while they can still make a difference. PATRICK S. ADAMS, Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com
uly 2026
building-products.com
Stock the door that stops the walk. ODL Entry Doors deliver the in-demand styles customers want, backed by the proven performance contractors trust, ensuring every entrance earns second looks, and even a pause from passing paws. TRUSTED TO TRANSFORM.
LEARN MORE AT ODL.COM
------------| FEATURE STORY
UFP FORGEWOOD SIDING
KEBONY BLACK CLADDING
WHAT’S COOKING IN MODIFIED WOOD? ------------ BY DAVID KOENIG MODIFIED WOOD is clearly going mainstream, as more species, more applications, more treatments, and more producers enter the category. Here are the latest:
Thermory USA Thermory USA has partnered with Saferwood by Chemco to create a new category for exterior building materials: ignition-resistant, Class A thermally modified, fire retardant-treated wood. FRT pine is already in stock, with FRT ash on the way. “This was a big need we identified in wildfire-prone markets, and we are proud that we can now meet this need,” noted marketing director Meg Hartman.
The company also just launched the Luik, a premium line of sauna kits that incorporate CLT for additional insulation, wrapped in thermally modified wood. The first batch is selling out quickly to both residential customers and commercial spas, hotels and resorts. Other thermally modified wood products in the pipeline include 1x8 and 2x3 spruce Board & Batten, 4x4 pine posts, additional species, and more.
UFP Edge ForgeWood is a perfected thermally modified wood siding made from poplar. It’s put through an all-natural preservation process and tempered to remove moisture and natural sugars, making it durable, dimensionally stable, lightweight and resistant to rot and fungal decay. ForgeWood is available in end-matched tongue-andgroove nickel gap with 1x4 inch matching trim or Edge’s primed exterior trim and comes in a variety of natural and two-tone finishes. It is available in 1x6 and 1x8 nominal widths and random lengths of 11 to 16 ft., backed by a 20-year limited warranty.
Kebony Addressing the demand for darker finishes, the new Black Kebony Cladding features a deep black stain that still allows the wood’s character to show through. The deep black stain plays a major role in how the house interacts with its environment. “The deep black wood absorbs light instead of reflecting it,” Mecklenburg explains. “This creates a contemplative effect that fits perfectly into the forest landscape.”
SICARO FORTIFIED WOOD
10 • building products digest • J
uly 2026
building-products.com
KLAASWOOD VERTICAL GRAIN
Beyond aesthetics, Kebony Character is selected for performance. The material offers excellent durability and dimensional stability, helping support long-term exterior use with minimal movement over time. It’s backed by a 30-year warranty, and its stability can also help finishes remain consistent and durable for longer maintenance intervals.
Sicaro Biotanex unveiled an entirely new category of modified wood: fortified timber. Branded Sicaro, the product is different from thermally modified or acetylated wood. It infuses a water-based resin with pressure; the resin locks into the cell walls of the wood (hardening it) and the heat cures it into the wood permanently. Sicaro is also pre-oiled and pre-machined into decking, siding or other finished products, ready to install. Sicaro offers ASTM-E84 Class A fire performance without the need for any additional treatment, Class 1 durability, a 55-year above-ground warranty, and outstanding insect resistance. “Sicaro takes renewable, sustainable plantation timber and fortifies it, locking in all performance attributes throughout the product. This process is irreversible; the finish endures for the product’s lifespan, so you get the look and performance of a premium tropical hardwood without cutting one down in the rainforest,” explained Sicaro USA owner Paul Duncan. It is distributed in the U.S. by Lee Roy Jordan Lumber Co., Dallas, Tx.
Klaaswood Klaaswood just launched a line of vertical grain southern yellow pine products. Architectural-grade building-products.com
MAXIMO PRE-FINISHED
Klaaswood Modified Vertical Grain Pine speaks to the aesthetic desire architects and designers are looking for, with consistent grain patterns throughout each piece of wood, while also providing higher natural durability and performance through the quarter-sawn cut. It features offers a 25-year warranty.
Maximo Wood Maximo has introduced its Pre-Finished line for both Maximo Thermo and Maximo Accoya, featuring advanced factory-applied finishing technology for consistent color, refined texture, and long-term surface protection. All products are backed by a 20-year warranty for both interior and exterior applications
Amble Wood Co. This year, Amble Wood Co. has been concentrating on education—helping dealers, architects and contractors understand modified wood and the differences in durability class, warranty, certification and finish. “Modified wood is showing up everywhere now— windows, doors, decking, siding—and the range of species and the ways they’re modified has exploded,” said president Chad Amble. “That’s exciting, but it’s exactly why education matters more than ever: getting the right product specified and installed correctly is what separates a great project from a callback.” His company believes modified wood is the technology of today and tomorrow. He said, “It’s sustainable, available in a range of species, backed by a warranty, and can be finished with custom textures and stains. Put all that together, and you’ve got a product that works for the architect, the contractor, and—most important—the customer.” BPD July 2026 • building products digest •
11
------------| INDUSTRY TRENDS
TMT PRODUCER makes the case for North American standards and association representation for thermally modified wood. (Photo ThermalWood Canada)
THERMALLY MODIFIED TIMBER COMES OF AGE IN NORTH AMERICA ------------ BY BOB LENNON THE STRONGEST FORCE driving demand for thermally modified timber (TMT) is simple: people almost always prefer wood. The phenomenon, known as biophilia, reflects people’s innate tendency to seek connections with nature in the built environment. However, the challenge for natural wood has always been meeting durability and dimensional stability requirements for demanding applications without relying on environmentally questionable sourcing alternatives or chemical preservatives. Thermally modified timber addresses those challenges. Produced from responsibly managed forest resources, TMT greatly improves durability and dimensional stability, while retaining and enhancing the natural beauty of wood. At the center of TMT’s global success is ThermoWood, a process which represents the largest aggregate volume of thermally modified timber produced worldwide. Developed and commercialized during the 1990s in Europe, ThermoWood is both a modification method and a quality system, administered by the International ThermoWood Association (ITWA) based in Finland. Supported by decades of scientific research, documented producer audits, testing, and field-performance data, ThermoWood represents the gold standard for TMT, the benchmark against which other methods are often measured. As demand for the category grows, greater transparency and clearer benchmarks will benefit the industry. While a growing number of producers market TMT, North America lacks adopted standards that allow architects, distributors, builders and homeowners to easily compare one process with another. Products manufactured using fundamentally different methods are often lumped together despite significant differences in process, audits, testing history, and documented performance.
12 • building products digest • J
To address this, the National Hardwood Lumber Association has convened a task force of producers, researchers and technical experts to develop the first North American standards for thermally modified wood. Testing is underway on products from a variety of systems—both open-system and closed-system technologies—to establish consistent benchmarks for performance, classification, and verification. To strengthen the visibility and shared understanding of the brand across North America, a group of regional members, together with participating ITWA members worldwide, are working to establish an official North American chapter of ITWA, representing Canada, the U.S., and interested international partners. Under the proposed framework, this group would focus on marketing, education, outreach and supply chain development, while ITWA retains responsibility for research, certification, quality systems, and trademark governance. The chapter’s membership model would span the full value chain—producers, secondary processors, distributors, retailers, partners, architects, designers, and international associates—ensuring that every stakeholder has a role in shaping the future of the industry. North America cannot afford to let TMT grow faster than the standards and education surrounding it. As adoption expands, the industry needs a clear, verifiable framework so architects, builders and consumers can distinguish reliable products from inconsistent ones and specify the material with confidence. Standardization will not limit the market; it will unlock it by reducing confusion, improving accountability, and making thermally modified wood easier to trust at scale. BPD – Bob Lennon is president of ThermalWood Canada, Bathurst, N.B. (www.thermalwoodcanada.com).
uly 2026
building-products.com
------------| PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
DEALERS CAN STAND BEHIND THE NEW WAVE OF MARINE TREATED TIMBERS ------------ BY LARRY LIZOTTE MANY LUMBER dealers and wholesalers have carved out a niche by offering treated marine timbers for docks, seawalls, bridges and other waterfront structures. But as environmental scrutiny continues to intensify across the construction industry, suppliers who understand the green advantages of today’s treated marine timbers are better positioned to answer customer concerns, counter outdated misconceptions, and capitalize on growing demand for resilient, long-lasting building materials.
A History of Success and Sustainability Treated timbers have been the foundation for marine piers, docks and structures since the early 1800s. Marine timbers give waterfront construction projects a more natural look that can’t be achieved with alternative materials. Wood is a natural renewable resource essentially grown by the sun’s energy. With climate change being a hotly debated issue, trees inherently help reduce carbon dioxide C02 in the atmosphere. Trees absorb C02 and convert it into oxygen. A typical fully grown tree can absorb around 21 kilograms of CO2 per year and produce as much as 90 lbs. of oxygen per day. Trees utilized in the treated timber industry are among the highest producers of oxygen. Alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plastic produce CO2 in their manufacturing process. Addition-
MARINE GRADE spray polyurea encapsulates treated pilings to protect them and prevent preservatives from migrating into the environment. (Photo courtesy Thunderbolt Wood Treating)
14 • building products digest • J
ally, plastic products degrade in the marine environment, producing microplastics which are consumed by marine life causing a toxic effect that works its way through the entire food chain.
Best Management Practices The treated wood industry has taken important steps to address environmental concerns about treated timbers. Best management practices (BMPs) are recommended guidelines for the production and installation of preserved wood for use in, near or over water. They were developed by organizations through a consensus process, based on research and a core philosophy of chemical minimization. BMPs for treating processes are separate from and in addition to the product standards. They address the environmental issues from treating plant through transportation, handling, inspection, storage, installation, demolition, maintenance and disposal of the treated products. Using the correct wood preservative is an important part of the BMP process. There are a variety of preservatives and treated wood products approved for use in or above aquatic and wetland environments.
An Extra Layer of Protection In 2020, the American Wood Protection Association Standards added spray-applied barrier systems for waterborne preservatives. These systems are designed to contain the waterborne preservatives in pressure-treated piles, poles and timber used in aquatic applications. Prior to the AWPA Standards, many inadequate processes and materials were used. There were no guidelines for physical property specification, material requirements, or the correct processing methods. According to the Standard, qualified spray-applied systems greatly minimize environmental contamination. Independent studies at Oregon State University have shown that spray-applied barrier systems are effective at preventing wood preservatives from leaching into the aquatic environment. The OSU study concluded that coating ACZA-treated marine pilings with Specguard’s SL08 spray polyurea “completely inhibited the migration of copper zinc and arsenic.” Similar studies conducted at Mississippi States University showed comparable results. The science confirms: even in marine environments, treated wood is an environmentally sound material. BPD – Larry Lizotte is sales director for the Specguard Coatings Division of Marine Fenders International (specguard.us.com).
uly 2026
building-products.com
DOORS | WINDOWS SIDING | STONE | ROOFING
MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY. ELEVATE AESTHETICS. Insulated Vinyl Siding by ProVia
Get Inspired with our Photo Gallery
®
CedarMAX® foam-backed vinyl siding insulates the entire exterior wall, boosting R-Value, improving energy efficiency, and reducing thermal bridging. The foam enhances impact resistance and minimizes outdoor noise, and the longer profiles install faster and show fewer seams. With authentic Cedar graining, 27 colors, and four styles – including Board ‘N Batten – CedarMAX delivers transformative curb appeal, value, and durability for your customers. Learn more at provia.com/siding/cedarmax
------------| OLSEN ON SALES
WORKAHOLICS AMONGST US ------------ BY JAMES OLSEN WE MUST COMPETE to sell. I am always surprised working with salespeople who don’t want to compete. They are what I call “quotron units” or “product presenters.” The phrase “It sells itself” should be stricken from the vocabulary and more importantly from the mentality of every professional seller. We should replace this illusory phrase with the more appropriate “If it’s to be it’s up to me” or my favorite: “If we don’t sell, we don’t eat.”
Less Is More Give me a salesperson with a little less personality, smoothness or charisma but with a bit more determination every time. I recently spoke with a brilliant salesman. He is one of the most likable, charismatic people I have ever worked with. He is one of the best sellers, at the moment of close, that I have ever met. I have sold side-by-side with this guy—he is great in front of the customer. His problem is that he doesn’t want to prospect. “If I could just hire someone to set up the appointments for me…” This salesperson, in spite of his enormous talent, is producing well below his potential because he lacks the discipline to prospect on a consistent basis. To be successful in sales we must be half gunslinger and half farmer. What do I mean? Our gunslinger is our closer. Our gunslinger is our person who can communicate with many different kinds of personalities. Our gunslinger is the one who can respond on the fly. Our farmer is the one who shows up every day and completes the steps of the sales process with discipline. It is rare to find both traits in one person. That’s why most of us have to work at being great salespeople.
Pareto and Workaholics Pareto’s Principle states that 80% of everything in any competitive activity goes to 20% of the people involved in that activity. Eighty percent of the fish are being caught by 20% of the fishermen. Eighty percent of the baskets in the NBA are scored by 20% of the players; 20% of the flower shops in your town are selling 80% of the flowers. Given that sales is a competitive field, 80% of the business is going to 20% of the salespeople. Who are those 20%? “Natural” superstars make up a small portion of this group. The “naturals” do exist. There is a segment of peo-
16 • building products digest • J
ple who are naturally great sellers. They are about one in 60. We then have the “man-made naturals.” These are the professionals who have studied the game of sales and worked on their skills until they are as good as or better than the naturals. The “man-made naturals” get another portion of the business. Then we have the workaholics. Their technique isn’t necessarily better than the rest, although they do build their skills faster than the salesperson who works less because they get a lot more practice. The real strengths of the workaholic are time and determination. If the average salesperson works 40 hours a week (it’s less), the average workaholic is working 60 hours a week. Assuming closing percentages are the same, the workaholic will get 50% more of the business! This assumes a portioned awarding of orders. In many “all or nothing” sales environments, the percentages will be even more slanted to the workaholic.
Balance, Skill Development, & Intensity Are we destined to mediocrity if we are not a “natural” or a workaholic? Yes, if we don’t change. I believe in balance. Life is more than getting the order. But I am not in denial about who I am competing against. The very talented, very dedicated, and the overly dedicated are getting 80% of the business. Do we have to work 60 hours a week to compete with the workaholics? No. But we will have to be disciplined and intense in our work day. We will have to work on our sales skills. We also have to be engaged while we are working. Showing up for 35-40 hours a week will put us in the bottom 80%. We must compete. We must work on our sales techniques and disciplines to be the top 20%—where sales is fun and profitable. BPD
JAMES OLSEN James Olsen is principal of Reality Sales Training, Portland, Or., and creator of SellingLumber.com. Call him at (503) 544-3572 or email james@realitysalestraining.com.
uly 2026
building-products.com
BUILD BETTER WITH BIEWER.
ABOUT OUR LUMBER SMOOTH ON ALL FOUR SIDES STRAIGHTER WITH LESS WANE GRADED FOR QUALITY & APPEARANCE
BiewerLumber.com
CALL TODAY! 800.482.5717
------------| TRANSFORMING TEAMS
CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS USE THE F.R.I.E.N.D. FRAMEWORK ------------ BY NICHOLAS RITCHIE CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS can be incredibly challenging. The stakes are high, opinions differ, and the outcome is almost always uncertain. Any one of those is uncomfortable, and many critical conversations involve all three together. This is why most people’s first instinct is to avoid them. The cost of that avoidance is real and tangible: tensions rise, teams fracture, and issues that needed addressing don’t disappear. Avoidance doesn’t resolve the situation; it usually makes it much worse. The Workplace Advisors works with organizations every day to navigate precisely this type of conflict. Founder and CEO Claudia St. John developed a framework that we find ourselves returning to over and over again, whether it’s coaching a leader through a tough conversation or helping a team work through a breakdown. The acronym is F.R.I.E.N.D., which is something we could certainly use when navigating conflict in the workplace.
F: Find Your Due North Before beginning the conversation, take a second to consider what you’re trying to accomplish. What does a good outcome look like? Without clarity, the conversation has the potential to get hijacked by emotions, by tangents, and by the other party’s agenda. Due north does not have to be a full resolution. Often, it’s simply, “I want to find out how we navigate these situations better moving forward.” Or, “Can we talk about how we talk about this topic?” Both are perfectly valid places to start. If you aren’t sure what you want out of the conversation, it may be worth waiting until you do. It’s also important to remember that knowing your due north isn’t just about getting what you want; it’s about
18 • building products digest • J
protecting the relationship. Conversations that turn into debates rarely end with both parties better off.
R: Ready Your Emotions If you’re angry, hurt, hot, or anxious going into a conversation, it is unlikely to go well. When our fight, flight, or freeze instincts are activated, we become defensive, combative, or shut down emotionally. None of these lead anywhere productive or toward a solution, but it is also important to understand that this can be very challenging to consciously control. So, the best advice is to check in with yourself—if you’re feeling emotional in any way, delay the conversation. And the same can be said for the other party. If they’re running hot, it is probably not the right time for a conversation. The ultimate goal isn’t to suppress your feelings, but instead to make sure your feelings are helping the conversation rather than driving it off the road. In practice, readying your emotions might mean sleeping on it before initiating a conversation, taking a walk to clear your head, writing out what you’d like to say before you say it, or talking it through with a trusted person first. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; the point is to give yourself enough space between the emotions and the conversation that you’re able to respond instead of react.
I: Inspect the Stories You’re Telling Yourself Humans are exceptionally talented at making up stories. We fill in gaps with assumptions about what happened, why it happened, what the other person intended, and what they think of us. We then treat those stories as cold hard facts. The reality is that until you
uly 2026
building-products.com
check those stories, you’ve manufactured them completely. They exist in your head and your head alone. Before and during the conversation, be sure to examine your assumptions. This may mean taking a few minutes to reflect, or literally naming your assumptions out loud. “The story I’m currently telling myself is… Is that accurate?” A willingness to question your own narrative creates an opportunity for you to actually hear what the other person is saying, and often leads to a very different—and much more positive—conclusion. It’s also worth noting that this step doesn’t end when the conversation begins. If you find yourself becoming reactive midway through the conversation, that’s your signal to pause and check your stories again.
E: Establish Safety A successful critical conversation requires the right conditions. From a physical safety standpoint, is there privacy? Is this a place where we can speak in candor? That said, psychological safety matters just as much. Does the other person feel like they can be honest? Are they rushed into a conversation, caught off guard, or in a setting where they feel exposed? If people don’t feel physically or psychologically safe, they will not show up openly to the conversation, and you will find it difficult to come to an agreement. If the conditions aren’t suitable for a conversation, it’s okay to say so. Delaying a conversation is not the same as avoiding the conversation. Change the setting, propose a different time, or consider bringing in a neutral third party to help facilitate the conversation. Getting the conditions right for a critical conversation requires effort.
N: Navigate Their Stories Navigating the other person’s story is where active listening skills must take over. The goal is not to listen to respond but rather to genuinely understand where the other person is coming from. Ask rich, open-ended questions, then continue to dig
Q. We pay our employees for the major holidays when we are closed. Does holiday pay need to be counted toward overtime for non-exempt employees? A. No, holiday pay does not need to be counted toward
hours worked when determining if a non-exempt employee is owed overtime. Overtime is for time the employee works or other compensable time (such as certain travel time) within the established seven-day workweek. Noncompensable time, such as vacation, sick leave, holiday pay, and bereavement time, does not need to be included in that calculation unless your company voluntarily chooses to count it. For example, if an employee works 33 hours and receives eight hours of holiday pay, they would be paid for 41 hours at their regular hourly rate. However, if they work 42 hours and receive eight hours of holiday pay, they would be paid 48 hours at the regular rate and 2 hours at time-and-a-half (assuming state overtime laws follow FLSA).
building-products.com
with more questions: • “Tell me more about that.” • “How did that make you feel?” • “What does that lead you to conclude?” • “What would you like to see handled differently?” Most disagreements are as much about assumed intentions as they are about actions, but the problem is we rarely know what someone’s intentions are without asking. When you take the time to navigate someone else’s story, you may discover that their true intentions weren’t what you assumed at all. A colleague who missed a deadline may not have been disengaged but instead may have been overwhelmed and unsure how to ask for help. A teammate who seems checked out may be dealing with something you’re not aware of. Understanding the intention behind the action doesn’t mean excusing it, but it does change the conversation. That’s when real resolution becomes possible.
D: Develop Common Ground Now, to move forward. What has been agreed upon? What will each person do differently in the future? Where do things go from here? Common ground doesn’t always mean full agreement, and that’s okay. Sometimes the outcome is a shared understanding of the disagreement and a commitment to keep talking. Partial progress is still progress. What matters is that both parties leave with a clear sense of what comes next. From a practical standpoint, documentation is always a good idea. Even a brief follow-up note summarizing what was discussed, what was agreed upon, and what the next steps are goes a long way. It creates clarity, reduces the chances of “that’s not what I thought we said,” and provides a record if the issue resurfaces down the road.
Moving Forward With the right framework, critical conversations don’t have to be dreaded. They become one of the most effective tools you have for building better relationships, resolving conflict, and creating workplaces where people can actually talk to each other. Applied consistently, F.R.I.E.N.D. doesn’t just make hard conversations easier; it makes teams stronger. – This article is based on the F.R.I.E.N.D. Framework developed by Workplace Advisors founder and CEO Claudia St. John.
NICHOLAS RITCHIE Nicholas Ritchie is a recruiter with The Workplace Advisors. Reach him at contact@theworkplaceadvisors.com.
July 2026 • building products digest •
19
A SPECIAL SERIES FROM
------------| LUMBER 411
BEFORE THE TEA, THERE WAS TIMBER EASTERN WHITE PINE’S HIDDEN ROLE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ------------ BY KIM DREW AS THE UNITED States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, much of the national conversation has centered on well-known economic conflicts like the Boston Tea Party. However, the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association is drawing attention to a lesser known, but deeply consequential, story: the pivotal role eastern white pine played in shaping the path to American independence. Long before tea was thrown into Boston Harbor, tensions between Great Britain and the American colonies were already escalating in the forests of New England. At the center of that conflict stood eastern white pine, a tree prized for its exceptional height, strength, and straight grain, qualities that made it indispensable for ship masts during the 17th and 18th centuries. With Britain’s domestic supply of suitable timber largely depleted and other European sources becoming unreliable, the Crown turned to the colonies as its primary source of mast wood. To secure these resources for the Royal Navy, British authorities implemented strict policies reserving the largest eastern white pines for royal use. These trees were marked with the “King’s Broad Arrow,” a series of three axe cuts indicating they were the property of the Crown. For colonists, the policy represented more than a forestry regulation: it was a direct challenge to property rights and economic independence. Eastern pine was not only vital to shipbuilding, but also widely used in homes, barns, mills and infrastructure throughout the colonies, as it still is today. Restricting access to this resource disrupted local economies and fueled growing resentment toward British rule. “Eastern white pine was one of the most valuable natural resources in colonial America,” said NELMA president Jeff Easterling. “When the Crown claimed ownership of these trees, it struck at the core of colonial livelihoods. This wasn’t just about lumber; it was about control.” “One of the lessons history teaches us is that major movements often begin with very practical grievances,” said Mallory Faust, host of the history podcast This, Again. “The American Revolution wasn’t fueled solely by a love of abstract liberty; it was shaped by disputes over land, resources, and economic freedom. The story of eastern white pine offers a fascinating window into those early tensions
20 • building products digest • J
and reminds us that the path to independence was already being forged in the forests of New England years before tea was dumped into Boston Harbor.” Resistance to the Broad Arrow policies grew steadily. Colonists often ignored the markings, cut trees under cover of darkness, or disguised stumps to avoid detection. Enforcement efforts by British officials only heightened tensions, leading to a series of confrontations that foreshadowed the broader conflict to come. One of the most notable incidents was the Pine Tree Riot of 1772 in Weare, N.H. Local mill owners and townspeople, angered by fines and enforcement actions tied to illegally harvested pine, confronted and assaulted a British official sent to uphold the mandates. The event is one of the earliest organized acts of rebellion against British authority, occurring more than a year before the Boston Tea Party. “While the Boston Tea Party remains a defining moment in American history, it’s important to recognize that the seeds of revolution had already been planted,” said Easterling. “The fight over eastern white pine represents one of the earliest and most tangible examples of colonial resistance.” Beyond its economic importance, eastern white pine also became a symbol of defiance. The tree appeared on early colonial flags, including the Pine Tree Flag, which served as an emblem of independence and unity among colonists. As America 250 approaches, NELMA encourages educators, historians, storytellers and industry professionals to broaden the narrative surrounding the nation’s founding and consider the role natural resources, and those who depended on them, played in shaping history. “Everyone knows the story of tea and taxes,” added Easterling. “But the story of eastern white pine reminds us that the road to independence began much earlier, rooted in the forests of New England. It’s an essential chapter of American history that deserves greater recognition.” Today, eastern white pine continues to be valued for its versatility, workability, and sustainability, remaining a cornerstone of building traditions across North America. Its legacy, however, extends far beyond its applications—standing as a lasting symbol of resilience, resourcefulness and the pursuit of independence. BPD
uly 2026
building-products.com
MORE PRODUCT SOLUTIONS FOR THE MASS TIMBER MARKET
TOMORROW’S ENGINEERED WOOD - TODAY! • Cutting-Edge Equipment: New 52” technologically advanced glulam press and lay-up system. • Versatile Production: Widths produced range from 2-7/16” to 10-1/2”, while depths range from 3-1/2” to 35-3/4”. • Expanded Size Options: Finished Glulam Sizes up to 10 ½” x 35 ¾” x 60’. • Diverse Applications: Available in various appearance classifications and strength grades for Commercial, Industrial, and Residential applications. • Superior Quality: Manufactured with superior strength southern yellow pine MSR Lumber. • Sustainability: Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®) is certified for environmentally conscious projects. CA N FO R . CO M
|
800.221. B E A M
|
A N T H O N Y FO R E S T. C O M
Anthony Forest Products is part of the Canfor Group of Companies ©
Anthony Forest Products Company, LLC
TENNESSEE LUMBERYARD TO REBUILD AFTER TORNADO On a limited, part-time basis, family-owned Duncan Lumber, New Tazewell, Tn., reopened its doors four days after a May 22 tornado devastated its main retail building. Two buildings were destroyed and two others damaged. Owner Andy Duncan plans to rebuild the 117-year-old business, to continue supporting the community through the next generation of Duncans. The EF-0 tornado touched down for four minutes, carving a path right through the yard. No injuries
were reported; the last worker had left for the day about 20 minutes before the twister hit. “It hit behind the building, came through the building and went out the front wall—blew it out on the street,” Duncan told the Claiborne County News. “This is the main building that has all the retail of Duncan Lumber. It’s got a lot of damage. The front showroom is pretty much ruined, the ceiling is down, half of it, the back part back here, about 30% of it is bad.”
------------| DEALER BRIEFS Damariscotta Hardware, Damariscotta, Me., and Randolph Hardware, Randolph, Me., are holding fundraisers to aid those affected by the May 15 fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber, Searsmont, Me. Chillicothe Hardware will be opened by Jared and Abbey Roese this fall in the former site of Central Center Hardware, which closed earlier this year after nearly half a century. Decks & Docks is planning a new location in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Bowers Ace Hardware opened store #5 in Elgin, S.C. Later this year, #6 will open in Irmo, S.C. Ace Hardware, Dadeville, Al., is set to open in spring 2027, according to owner Ken Holsclaw. Wright City Hardware, Wright City, Mo., permanently closed June 19 after 89 years. Ace Hardware franchisee Mike Hubert opened his third store May 16 in New Ellenton, S.C. Ace Hardware, Webster City, Ia., held a grand opening celebration June 18-20 (Andy Pruismann, general mgr.).
Stack Smarter. Store More. Free up valuable space with our durable steel millwork stack racks—built for doors, windows, and more. Easy to assemble, simple to move, and designed to triple your storage capacity. • Truck-Ready: Load directly for faster handling
Bridgetown Hardware, Green, Oh., is permanently closing.
Home Depot opened its newest store June 6 in Naples, Fl.
OGDEN & ADAMS BUYING IOWA YARDS
• Damage-Reducing: Minimize product loss • Stack-Friendly: Securely stack up to three high • Cost-Effective: Maximize storage without expanding
CT-Darnell.com | 800-353-0892 Scan the QR code for more information or visit ct-darnell.com. © WTD Holdings, Inc., 2026. All rights reserved.
22 • building products digest • J
Ace Hardware, Roslyn, Pa., had its grand opening June 26-28.
uly 2026
Ogden & Adams Building Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Ia., is acquiring the assets of Maquoketa Lumber Co., Maquoketa, Ia., and Bellevue Lumber, Bellevue, Ia. Mark Maze, owner of both Maquoketa and Bellevue Lumber, will assist with the transition. The companies specialize in lumber packages, millwork, siding, roofing, windows and doors. Ogden & Adams plans to retain all staff and to continue operations under its current flagship name Ogden & Adams Building Solutions at the current Maquoketa and Bellevue Lumber facilities. Ogden & Adams currently operates locations in Hiawatha, Delhi and Manchester, Ia. building-products.com
Give your Pro customers a better frame—and your yard a stronger story. TrueFrame™ Joist is ProWood’s latest pressure-treated deck framing innovation, engineered for consistent performance, built for long-term durability, and designed to help dealers stand apart with Pro-ready solutions.
• • •
Lightweight and stable Uniform sizing Preferred by pros who want straighter, more consistent framing
Stock TrueFrame Joist and lead your market with a unique product designed to help your Pro customers build better. Reach out to your ProWood® account manager or scan the QR code to learn more.
PROWOOD.COM/TRUEFRAME
Learn more about TrueFrame Joist
CULPEPER UPGRADES NC TREATING PLANT
Culpeper Wood Preservers has completed a multiphase capital upgrade at its Elizabeth City, N.C., treating facility and returned the plant to full operation. The plant was taken offline to complete a series of upgrades aligning the facility with Culpeper’s operational, safety, and quality standards. It is now producing CCA (chromated copper arsenate) and CA-C (copper azole) marine treated lumber. “We closed Elizabeth City to make the right longterm investment in the facility and the markets we serve,” said Jonathan Jenkins, president and CEO of Culpeper Wood Preservers. “From the Outer Banks to Virginia Beach, the coast depends on a reliable supplier of CCA and CA-C marine wood, and we are excited about our expanded capabilities, enhanced service, and a strong commitment to the region.” Strategically located to serve coastal North Carolina and the Tidewater/Virginia Beach market, the Elizabeth City facility supports applications in which CCA and CA-C-treated lumber are specified for marine, agricultural and heavy industrial use. With the plant back online, dealers in the region benefit from: • A full range of CCA and CA-C marine products, including dimensional lumber, timbers, and pilings • CCA retention levels of 0.80 pcf (ground contact) and 2.5 pcf (marine and heavy-duty applications) • CA-C retention levels of 0.15 pcf and 0.31 pcf (ground contact) “Our focus is on supporting dealers with the products, programs, and service they need to grow their treated lumber business,” said Chris Brown, executive VP. “With Elizabeth City back online and continued investment across our network, we’re well-positioned to serve coastal North Carolina, Tidewater, and the broader Mid-Atlantic.”
MOSO BAMBOO EXPANDS REACH
MOSO North America, Inc. continues expanding the dealer and distributor network for its MOSO Bamboo Outdoor products. Among distributors, MOSO recently expanded its partnership with Boise Cascade, which now offers MOSO products through its Medford, Or., and Houston and Hondo, Tx., branches. Klumb Forest Products, Covington, Ga., has begun distributing MOSO in the Southeast. Now representing MOSO North America in the Eastern and Southeastern parts of the U.S. are Jeremy White, 7 Hills Sales & Marketing, Atlanta, Ga., and the team at Mid-Atlantic Millwork, Falls Church, Va. (Steve Gress, Marc Held, Josh Peizer, Chris Roberson, George Neuberger, and David Cox). Dealers newly carrying MOSO Bamboo Outdoor include Jennings Building Supply, Cashiers, N.C., and Yoders Building Services, Fair Play, S.C. Metro Lumber, Marrietta, Ga., is now stocking MOSO Bamboo Outdoor Thermo. MOSO North America produces thermally modified, fire-rated decking, siding, fencing and stock lumber for residential and commercial use. The bamboo products are positioned as a sustainable alternative for exotic hardwoods.
24 • building products digest • J
------------| SUPPLIER BRIEFS Teal Jones Plain Dealing, LLC, Plain Dealing, La., has rebranded to Plain Dealing Lumber. Old South Wood Preserving, Summertown, Tn., is undertaking a $1.3-million expansion. ABC Supply Interiors, Inc. (formerly L&W Supply) has purchased the assets of distributor Wallboard, Inc., Butler, Wi. ProWood has expanded availability of TrueFrame Joist to the Northeast and South Atlantic. Manufactured from #1 SYP, the treated joist was initially introduced in Colorado, the Great Lakes, and Midwest states. BlueLinx has expanded distribution of Westlake Royal Building Products’ TruExterior Siding & Trim to its DCs in Denville, N.J.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Frederick, Md.; Richmond, Va.; Raleigh, Charlotte and Statesville, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Tampa and Jacksonville, Fl.; and Nashville, Tn.
Russin, Montgomery, N.Y., is now distributing Maximo Thermo thermally modified wood and Aeratis PVC-based siding, porch flooring and shutter products to 13 Northeast and mid-Atlantic states.
AmeriLux is a new distributor of Elite Cladding. Monsma Marketing Corp., Grand Rapids, Mi., is now distributing Eva-Last’s Infinity IS, Apex Plus, Pioneer and Eva-tech Dual Tone decking across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Woodgrain, Inc. has installed a new Cefla prefinish line at its distribution facility in Latrobe, Pa. SRS Distribution bought the commercial roofing division of Industrial Cork Co. (CORCO), Elmhurst, Il., from Jeff DeJong and Dan Krasinski. DeJong will continue to lead the commercial roofing business under the SRS banner. CORCO will continue to operate its controlled environment building construction unit, led by Krasinski and excluded from the transaction, and will relocate to a new location. Sierra Forest Products parent UCS Forest Group, Mississauga, Ont., is officially rebranding as Spitz Group. Columbia Forest Products, Greensboro, N.C., has acquired PRO Pallet LLC, with operations in Dover, York and Harrisburg, Pa. IKO held a grand opening for its new $240-million, 300,000-sq. ft. asphalt-shingle manufacturing campus in Clay Hill, Fl. Sansin Corp. is offering up to 15 years of coating performance coverage on Accoya wood products when finished using Sansin’s recommended Precision Coat KP-System. Paladin Data Corp. has acquired CyberBOS, Omaha, Ne., a long-established point-of-sale and business management platform for the LBM industry. Paladin will continue supporting CyberBOS solutions, with a focus on maintaining continuity and service quality.
uly 2026
building-products.com
REDWOOD
DECKING Composite can’t compare. Like the foods we buy, when it comes to decking, we want natural and real.
Redwood is always available in abundance of options. So stock the shelves! Unlike mass-produced and inferior products, Redwood is strong, reliable and possesses many qualities not found in artificial products. They maintain temperatures that are comfortable in all climates. Redwood Empire stocks several grades and sizing options of Redwood.
Call us at 707.894.4241 Visit us at buyRedwood.com
LUMBER & SUPPLY EXPANDS TO MARYLAND
Lumber & Supply, Wilmington, N.C., has added a 14th location—Maryland Lumber & Supply, Easton, Md., led by Will Telligman. Telligman returns to the lumber industry after two decades as a lobbyist, including for Sherwin-Williams and the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association. The company offers sawmill-direct pricing for shiplap, tongue & groove, moulding, flooring and more. Other Lumber & Supply locations are in North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia and Georgia.
OHIO BUILDER OPENING BUILDING SUPPLY
A North Central Ohio construction company is opening its own building supply business. Damon Barnett launched Pegasus Builders in 2020 to provide high-quality residential remodeling, commercial construction, and insurance restoration services. He is now adding Pegasus Builders Supply, Willard, Oh., supplying contractors, builders, remodelers and homeowners with a range of building materials, from lumber, doors, windows, decking, siding and roofing to concrete, tile and plumbing. The company has three buildings on its new site, with a central area for parking. It is converting the largest building for inside building material storage and paving an area at its side and installing cantilever racking for outdoor product storage. The smaller buildings will be used, one, for the main office with a DOUGLAS FIR
•
REDWOOD
retail area for smaller items like caulks and sealants, and the other to house the growing sales team. Pegasus Builders Supply is also getting ready to launch its website, featuring product offerings, store updates, and more. Barnett heard that years ago the site was used to house a lumberyard and a hardware store, and has put a call out to the community for more information on its history.
C&C REBUILDING LOUISIANA SAWMILL
C&C Forest Products is investing over $21 million to rebuild its Coushatta, La., sawmill following a 2025 fire, repositioning the facility as a more efficient, cost-competitive specialty lumber operation. The project will reconfigure the existing facility with updated equipment and improved site layout to support more efficient production. Once complete, the rebuilt sawmill will focus on specialty lumber and timbers and will be capable of producing up to 90 million bd. ft. annually. It is also expected to create 77 direct new jobs. Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2026, with the facility anticipated to begin sales in the first quarter of 2027. To secure the project in Coushatta, the state of Louisiana offered C&C FP Holdings, LLC a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart and a $1 million performance-based grant for utility and infrastructure improvements. •
WESTERN RED CEDAR
Expect the exceptional.
7/8" KDDF APG S1S2E
This kiln-dried product delivers the warm, knotty look customers want at a competitive price point. Featuring a tight-knot, rougher-head finish, it is an ideal alternative to cedar with a high-end appearance while maximizing profit potential. Available in 1x4–1x12 Lengths 8'-20'
26 • building products digest • J
McMinnville, OR | elkcreekforest.com 503-474-4446 | sales@elkcreekforest.com
uly 2026
building-products.com
CULPEPER MARINE T R E AT E D L U M B E R
FOR THE MOST EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS
SCAN HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND DOWNLOADS C U L P E P E RWO O D.CO M ©2026 Culpeper Wood Preservers
CULPEPER MARINE TREATED LUMBER
ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ
------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE
UNCERTAINTY CLOUDS OUTLOOK FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ------------ BY JENNIFER COSKREN PROJECTIONS OF homebuilding and other end-use markets that drive the demand for wood products always carry a degree of uncertainty, and high prices for shelter are making it even more challenging. Indeed, affordability remains a major obstacle. Historically, Federal Reserve rate cuts translate into lower mortgage rates and improved affordability, but that transmission has broken down recently. The Fed cut rates three times in 2025, bringing the target range to 3.50%– 3.75%, yet the 10-year Treasury yield averaged 4.29% for the year, up from 4.19% in 2024 (see chart below). With the Fed’s balance sheet no longer anchoring long-term rates, yields are now driven by market forces like inflation expectations and fiscal pressures rather than policy rates alone. The Fed left rates unchanged in March citing sticky inflation and Middle East uncertainty, and now projects only one quarter-point cut this year. The Fed will struggle to cut rates further as the current oil shock continues and puts further upward pressure on broader inflation.
The Iranian conflict has been working against the argument for near-term rate cuts pushing energy prices higher and raising uncertainty again. While uncertainty has eased since its peak around the “Liberation Day” tariff announcements in April 2025, it remains significantly elevated compared to pre-2025 levels. This persistence suggests that underlying questions, particularly around trade policy, inflation, fiscal sustainability, and global risk, have not been fully resolved. As a result, uncertainty continues to exert upward pressure on risk premiums and long-term interest rates (see chart at upper right). The index rose again in May of 2026, reflecting continued concerns around geopolitical risks given the Middle East instability and spiking energy prices.
28 • building products digest • J
Energy costs represent a meaningful risk to the inflation outlook this year. Residential electricity prices have been accelerating, partly driven by surging demand from AI data centers. The conflict with Iran has pushed oil above $100 per barrel, raising gasoline and diesel costs and introducing broader economic headwinds if elevated prices persist. Although energy goods represent only about 2% of consumer spending, their price volatility and visibility to consumers amplify their psychological and behavioral impact. Major forecasts suggest GDP could be reduced by 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points in 2026 if oil remains near current levels—modest in aggregate, but heavily dependent on how long the shock persists. But the economy has been getting a notable boost from the AI capital surge. Real final sales to private domestic purchasers (one of the cleanest measures of underlying domestic demand, stripping out government spending, inventory swings and trade flows) has held in the 2–3% annualized range, a number that looks reassuringly stable on the surface. But that stability has been entirely manufactured by an unprecedented surge in data center and AI infrastructure investment, which has masked a broader private economy that is, at best, growing very slowly. Weaker business and consumer sentiment will drag on the economy throughout 2026. Our baseline GDP forecast calls for growth of around 2% in both 2026 and 2027— modest but positive, avoiding recession. Key downside risks include a sharper slowdown in AI investment, tighter financial conditions, or escalating geopolitical risk, with risks tilted modestly to the downside given today’s policy and inflation environment.
uly 2026
building-products.com
Affordability Challenges Remain through 2027 From the broad economic environment to the housing market specifically, the key messages here are decidedly cautious. Homebuying sentiment surveys sit at historical lows. To put the current housing sentiment picture in historical context, consider the University of Michigan’s homebuying conditions index: it sits around 40 today—a level not seen since the early 1980s, when 30-year mortgage rates exceeded 15%. The comparison is striking as consumers view buying conditions as just as poor today, with mortgage rates around 6.5%. That contrast highlights the severity of today’s housing affordability problem. Equally concerning is how persistent the weakness has been. Sentiment has remained deeply depressed since 2022. While the index has edged up slightly in recent months, it remains extremely low by historical standards.
The affordability challenge that potential homebuyers face continues to drive the belief that now is not a good time to buy. These affordability pressures are now translating into measurable tenure shifts across the housing market. Consistent with this shift, data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the homeownership rate fell for the second consecutive year. The decline from 65.6% in 2024 to 65.3% in 2025 implies a growing number of renter households. The Census Bureau reported that roughly 75% of the 1.1 million net new households formed in 2025 were renter households. This dynamic helps explain the stronger outlook for apartment developers.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Sales are sluggish as affordability remains constrained. Improving housing affordability is a stated priority for the Trump administration, balancing home value protection with expanding access to homeownership. Congress is considering the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill addressing the housing shortage by modernizing federal programs, expanding multifamily financing, streamlining environmental reviews, and giving localities greater flexibility to support development. building-products.com
A key issue is the treatment of investor-owned housing. The Senate bill restricts large institutional investors (those owning more than 350 homes) from purchasing additional single-family properties, with an exception for build-to-rent (BTR) communities. Investors may develop and lease single-family homes but must sell within approximately seven years—permitting BTR as a development strategy while limiting long-term rental ownership. The revised House bill maintains restrictions on buying existing single-family homes but removes the forced-sale requirement for build-to-rent properties entirely. Overall, the legislation could modestly support housing supply by reducing development frictions and expanding financing tools, though investor restrictions are more likely to shift the composition of buyers than meaningfully increase aggregate supply. The main sticking point between the House and Senate versions remains the treatment of BTR properties. The Senate version would force investors to sell those homes within seven years; the House softened that to simply creating a tenant hotline. The two chambers will need to reconcile that difference before it reaches Trump’s desk, though Trump has already expressed support for the broader legislation.
Housing Starts Below 1.4 Million through 2027 Housing starts in 2025 totaled 1.356 million units (940,000 single-family, 416,000 multifamily). Affordability headwinds will weigh on new home demand, pushing builders to keep home sizes smaller and offer incentives to generate sales, pointing to single-family starts at or below 1 million units in 2026 and 2027. Multifamily starts are projected to average 420,000 annually over the same period. The combined total of less than 1.4 million units means 2026 and 2027 will feel much like 2024 and 2025 in terms of wood products demand. BPD – Jennifer Coskren is VP of economic analysis & market research at APA – The Engineered Wood Association. Contact her at jennifer.coskren@apawood.org. July 2026 • building products digest •
29
------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE
STACKED DLT gives life to an architecture office in Denver, Co. (Photo by Jess Blackwell Photography, courtesy of International Timberframes)
THE ABC’s OF DLT
DOWEL-LAMINATED TIMBER BRINGS MASS TIMBER TO THE MASSES ------------ BY DAVID KOENIG AS THE CONSTRUCTION industry searches for faster, more sustainable building solutions, mass timber products are attracting unprecedented attention. Among the newest entrants is dowel-laminated timber, or DLT—a structural panel made by mechanically fastening dimensional lumber together with wood dowels rather than adhesives or metal fasteners. The result is an engineered wood product that combines structural performance, architectural warmth and manufacturing efficiency, making it an increasingly attractive option for floors, roofs and occasionally walls in commercial and institutional buildings. Fifth-generation lumberman George Schmidbauer recently opened the first DLT production facility in California, Mad River Mass Timber, Korbel, Ca. He has long been interested in mass timber, as a solution for providing locally sourced materials to address the state’s wildfire and forest health issues. He investigated cross-laminated timber, but realized the cost to build a CLT facility or modify a local sawmill was not feasible, not to mention that suitable wood would have to be hauled in from Washington or Canada. He found what he considers a more efficient process, at a more practical price when visiting the U.C. Berkeley Wood Lab. Berkeley professors were researching and designing DLT projects that could use local fire-damaged timber and small-diameter trees.
30 • building products digest • J
With the assistance of the Berkeley researchers, Mad River designed and built its own DLT machine from scratch using standard components, creating a set-up that could manufacture panels at scale. The company is currently producing prefabricated DLT floors, roofs, walls and beams. Other North American producers of DLT include Tridome Structures, Cambridge, Ma.; DowelLam (StructureCraft), Abbottsford, B.C.; and International Timberframes, Revelstoke, B.C. Sigi Liebmann, founder of International Timberframes, is fully invested in DLT. The product, he says, “has a higher R-value than glued CLT and also offers greater load capacity in a single-span application. We have no offgassing from glue, and it is easier for disassembly and separation at the end of its life.” In addition, he says, “There is significant interest in the DLT with acoustic profiles—which is not possible to do with CLT or glulam—and more applications for cabins and homes using the whole DLT envelope.” As for other growth prospects, Liebmann says, ”Many clients are health-conscious and sustainability-minded. We see a great potential for significant growth when people start understanding all the additional value that DLT offers compared with glued CLT and glulam.” BPD
uly 2026
building-products.com
RED TAPE THAT ACTUALLY
WORKS FOR YOU. WATCH THE VIDEO:
INNOVATION IN SAFETY
INNOVATION IN PRODUCTION
INNOVATION
IN CONSERVATION
800.299.5174 royomartin.com building-products.com
may 2026
Scan to learn more about RoyOMartin
• the merchant magazine • 13
------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE
SUPPLYING mass timber? WoodWorks is offering a roadmap. (Photo Bryan Aulick)
FROM CONCEPT TO CONSTRUCTION THE EXPANDING TOOLKIT FOR MASS TIMBER DESIGN ------------ BY BILL PARSONS AS MASS TIMBER and advanced wood systems continue expanding into new regions and building types, a growing number of architects, engineers, contractors, and developers are exploring wood construction for the first time. But for many project teams, the question is no longer whether mass timber can work—it’s how to execute projects successfully, efficiently, and confidently. That demand for practical guidance is accelerating quickly. As of March 2026, WoodWorks was tracking 2,746 commercial, multi-family, and institutional mass timber projects in the United States, including projects in design, under construction, and built. Interest in wood systems continues to outpace even that growth. In 2025 alone, we had more than 10,000 new contacts seeking technical support, educational resources, and project guidance. With this momentum, mass timber is moving beyond early adopters and becoming a viable option across new and increasingly complex project types—including industrial facilities, schools, and affordable housing. Alongside this evolution, hybrid systems combining light-frame and mass timber construction are also being more frequently utilized as designers seek to optimize the benefits of both systems. Additionally, as of April 2026, 26 states have adopted the tall mass timber provisions of the 2021 and/ or 2024 International Building Code (IBC), either whole or with local amendments. One of the clearest signs of mass timber’s maturation is the expansion of technical resources to address the real-world challenges facing designers and builders. As more buildings move from concept to completion, the industry is
32 • building products digest • J
benefiting from a growing body of shared experience that is helping standardize best practices and reduce barriers to adoption. Universities, researchers, manufacturers, design professionals, and industry groups are collectively contributing to a more robust ecosystem of research, testing, standards, and practical design guidance. For our part, WoodWorks continues to expand its online library of technical resources and recently introduced a new roadmap for designers: The Mass Timber Technical Reference Guide. The guide was developed to lower the barrier to entry for teams new to mass timber while also serving as a trusted technical reference for experienced practitioners. Structured in a book-like format aligned with how architects and engineers approach design, the guide allows users to quickly locate vetted resources related to key areas of mass timber design, including design development, materials, analysis, detailing, fire, acoustics, vibration, durability, and construction considerations. Rather than functioning as a static handbook, it serves as a curated framework that connects project teams with the technical information, standards, and research shaping modern mass timber practice. Among the most impactful new expert-driven publications are those tackling complex topics such as fire requirements and design and exterior wall design. The evolution of mass timber systems is also evident in the growing number of publications focused on constructability and coordination. New guidance on CLT shear wall
uly 2026
(Continued on page 35) building-products.com
------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE
MASS TIMBER has earned its place in the built environment through a decade of proven performance.
BUILDING TALL, BUILDING SAFE MASS TIMBER IN THE MODEL CODES ------------ BY MADISON STEPHENS MASS TIMBER is no longer a novel alternative; it is a proven, code-compliant structural system that is reshaping mid- and high-rise construction across the country. With projects spanning healthcare, university research facilities, workforce housing and military barracks, mass timber is delivering on both performance and sustainability.
From Innovation to Code Recognition A decade ago, the idea that tall wood buildings faced skepticism was rooted less in data and more in unfamiliarity. The American Wood Council (AWC) recognized early that realizing the full potential of mass timber would require more than project-by-project approvals. It required a fundamental shift in the code framework. The growth in mass timber construction over the last few years can be traced to its adoption into the model codes that govern what and how structures can be built. AWC initiated the process that ultimately led to the development of new construction types, referred to as Types IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C. After years of testing and coalition building, these types of mass timber construction were ultimately included in the International Code Council’s (ICC) I-codes, the primary model codes used throughout the U.S. The takeaway is simple: mass timber didn’t get a special pathway into the code. Mass timber met the same evidence-based standard required of any structural system. And it met it decisively.
34 • building products digest • J
Mass Timber in the Code Building codes are developed through a multi-year, rigorous, consensus-based process where a wide variety of stakeholders submit and review proposals and comments. With multiple rounds of public hearings where these proposals and comments are debated and voted on, this process is deliberately detailed. The goal of the process is technical credibility, not speed or tradition. While mass timber was a new construction type, it covers well-known and code-recognized products (e.g. glue-laminated timber and structural composite lumber) as well as newer products (e.g. cross laminated timber). To address initial resistance and evaluate the feasibility of incorporating mass timber into the International Building Code (IBC), ICC established the Tall Wood Building Ad Hoc Committee. With significant technical support from AWC, the committee spent several years coordinating research, fire and structural performance testing, and analyzing results. These results formed the technical basis that guided development of the new Type IV provisions and ultimately led to mass timber’s inclusion in the ICC’s 2021 IBC. The inclusion of mass timber provisions in the code significantly expanded previous limits for timber construction. As a prescriptive code, the IBC designates specific requirements for construction that are based not on material type, but a material’s ability to perform in a certain
uly 2026
building-products.com
way. Mass timber construction is required to meet strict standards for fire and life safety and structural design. These include requirements for fire-resistance, height, area and story limits, exposed timber limits, vertical and lateral structural systems, and more. In fact, the allowable heights of up to 18 stories for Type IV-A construction reflects confidence in performance, not compromise.
Wind & Seismic: Consistent Set of Rules One of the most common questions from those new to mass timber is how the structural system performs under lateral loads—specifically wind and seismic forces. The inclusion of mass timber structural systems in the model codes, and the engineered design and performance-testing that substantiated the inclusion of these systems in the AWC design standards and the IBC, demonstrate the safety and resilience of mass timber construction. From a code compliance standpoint, mass timber structural systems are subject to the same fundamental wind and seismic design requirements as any other construction type. The IBC, and the standards it references, do not create separate requirements by material; all materials and structural systems are held to the same performance expectations and reference the relevant material-specific standards. These standards include AWC’s National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction, Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS), and Fire Design Specification (FDS) for Wood Construction, all of which are used by engineers to demonstrate that mass timber meets the performance requirements in the codes. While the NDS, SDPWS, and FDS are not mass timber specific, they do include specific guidance for mass timber construction. As mass timber construction has grown taller and more varied, expanded SDPWS provisions have continued to center on technical rigor and performance requirements. AWC has helped develop testing protocols and analyze performance data to ensure that what is included in the AWC design standards and referenced in the IBC accurately reflects how mass timber actually behaves under dynamic loading.
EXPANDING MASS TIMBER DESIGN TOOLKIT (Continued from page 32)
behavior, moisture management during construction, and detailing penetrations in heavy timber members points to a shift beyond conceptual design and into execution. Similarly, resources addressing delegated design, design-assist workflows, and enclosure continuity highlight the importance of early collaboration and integrated project delivery as wood buildings increase in scale and complexity. Equally important is the continued development of in-depth tools and reference materials. New design guides and calculation resources are helping engineers more efficiently design mass timber gravity systems, while expanded databases for tested fire and acoustic assemblies are addressing critical performance questions. Targeted papers on topics such as quality assurance and durability further reinforce a trend towards more rigorous, datadriven design and construction practices. Sustainability remains a key driver behind this momentum, with designers eager to understand the nuances of building-products.com
Enforcement: The Role of Building & Fire Officials The codes and standards that set the performance requirements for mass timber construction are used by building and fire code officials who enforce the code requirements. They review plans, conduct inspections, and ultimately sign off on the safety of a project. For many of them, mass timber is still a relatively new system. The intricacy of the approval process and nuances of mass timber provisions mean their access to education and resources is critical to the safe construction of mass timber buildings. AWC has sought to fill this gap through its education programs, creating tools and resources to meet the needs of building and fire officials with webinars, in-person training, and a code official program. AWC has designed resources to meet the unique needs of these officials ensuring they are practical, applied and grounded in the code language used in practice. These resources include the Construction Fire Safety Checklist app, designed with input from the fire service, and a Mass Timber Alternative Materials and Methods Guide that helps bridge the gap in jurisdictions where mass timber is desired but the relevant code provisions have not yet been adopted.
Mass Timber in Practice: Where We Are Today What’s driving the adoption of mass timber isn’t just sustainability or aesthetics. It’s clarity. The model codes provide a predictable, enforceable framework. The standards provide the technical pathway. The growing body of built work provides real-world validation. Mass timber earned its place in the built environment through its performance, model codes that recognize that performance, enforcement of those requirements by code officials, and resources that help developers and engineers specify and build with confidence. The research and technical rigor that undergirds the inclusion of mass timber in the building codes offers code officials, developers and communities confidence in their performance and safety, while opening market access for U.S. wood products. BPD – Madison Stephens is manager, communications & outreach for the American Wood Council (awc.org).
defining building performance. WoodWorks continues to contribute additional life cycle assessment research comparing mass timber with conventional systems, offering insights into embodied carbon and costs. As regulatory market pressures around carbon intensify, these resources are becoming essential to informed decision making. The Mass Timber Technical Reference Guide serves as a gateway to the broader ecosystem of technical resources and project support. The expansion of resources in the last year reflects an industry that is rapidly advancing. As more professionals enter the market, continued collaboration and open access to credible, practical guidance will remain critical to sustained growth. Supported by an increasingly connected ecosystem of technical resources and project experience, teams are better equipped than ever to deliver ambitious wood buildings with confidence. BPD – Bill Parsons, PE is chief operating officer at WoodWorks/ Wood Products Council, a non-profit providing free project support for commercial and multifamily mass timber and light-frame wood buildings, a nationwide education program, and a range of published resources (www.woodworks.org). July 2026 • building products digest •
35
------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE
WHEN PLYWOOD is used for supporting structural loads, such as in concrete formwork, proper selection and design of the panel are critical.
THE CRITICAL ROLE OF RATED CONCRETE FORMWORK ------------ BY NOAH HUMBERSTON JUST AS DIFFERENT lumber types possess varying grades and structural properties, plywood is an engineered wood material that can have a diverse range of performance characteristics. It can be manufactured to specific performance categories using various veneer grades, wood species and moisture-resistance adhesives. When plywood is tasked with supporting structural loads, particularly in concrete formwork, proper selection and design of panel are a matter of both project quality and jobsite safety.
Engineering Considerations for Formwork Formwork for concrete structures requires careful engineering. The selection of plywood class and performance categories depends on the anticipated load. The primary step in form design is determining the maximum concrete pressure, which is influenced by several variables: pour rate, concrete slump, density, method of vibration, total height of pour and more. For horizontal applications, such as concrete slabs, forms must support both the “dead load” of the wet concrete and the “live loads” of workers and equipment.
36 • building products digest • J
Normal weight concrete (150 pcf) exerts a load of 12.5 psf for every inch of slab thickness.
The Hazards of Unrated Formwork Panels Despite the risks, non-certified or untested panels are often substituted for rated products on the jobsite. While these panels may initially appear robust, they lack the third-party auditing and qualification testing necessary to verify their mechanical properties. The implications of using unrated panels can be severe: • Safety Risks: Unrated panels can lack the strength and stiffness assumed during design, potentially causing structural failure under the weight of wet concrete and workers. • Quality Issues: Unrated panels can lead to surface defects like “pillowing,” in turn leading to fewer pours due to poor moisture durability and inconsistent performance without third-party auditing. • Performance Failures: Imported plywood may not meet voluntary U.S. product standards (e.g., PS 1 or PS 2) or APA performance ratings unless it is specifically cer-
uly 2026
building-products.com
tified. Testing by APA on plywood panels imported from China and Brazil revealed inferior mechanical properties and failures in bond durability compared to plywood certified to PS 1. Verification of standard compliance and performance testing is essential before use in structural applications. Unrated formwork panels can result in wasted concrete and labor at a minimum and pose serious life-safety risks in the worst-case scenario.
Ensuring Code Compliance The International Building Code mandates that concrete formwork be designed and erected in accordance with ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. By adhering to PS 1 plywood specifications, contractors meet the performance criteria established in both ACI 318 and 347, Guide to Formwork for Concrete. Detailed guidance on these requirements can be found in APA’s The Importance of Code-Compliant Concrete Formwork, Form A236. Verification in the field is essential. It is the responsibility of both the contractor and the inspector to confirm that the materials used on site are certified and match the project specifications.
Selecting the Right APA-Certified Panel The majority of APA-certified panels with an Exterior bond classification are suitable for formwork. The industry produces specialized products for this application called Plyform. These panels have an Exterior bond classification and are limited to certain wood species and veneer grades to ensure high-level performance.
building-products.com
Plyform products are available in three basic grades: Plyform Class I, Plyform Class II and Structural I Plyform. Each may be ordered with a high or medium density overlay (HDO or MDO) on one or both sides, which provides a smoother finish and greater durability for multiple reuses. These prescriptive grades are discussed in APA’s Concrete Forming Design/Construction Guide (Form V345). Pressure tables in this guide allow designers to select panels based on known design stresses and support distances. For proprietary panels that do not follow the prescriptive requirements of PS 1, APA performs extensive laboratory testing. The testing evaluates bending and shear strength in both dry and saturated conditions to establish reliable mechanical property ratings.
The APA Mark of Quality To ensure safety and compliance, always specify engineered wood products bearing the APA trademark. This mark signifies that the manufacturer is subject to rigorous, ongoing third-party quality assurance auditing. Beyond certification, APA provides comprehensive support to the industry, including a dedicated Technical Support Help Desk, a 42,000-sq. ft. research and testing facility, and field representatives located across North America that provide complimentary consultations to industry professionals. BPD – Noah Humberston, PE is an APA engineered wood specialist based in the Philadelphia area, serving the Northeast region. Contact him at noah.humberston@apawood.org.
July 2026 • building products digest •
37
------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE
REDUCING SOUND transmission and increasing impact insulation was a critical detail for Weymouth Glen.
SENIOR LIVING PROJECT TURNS TO EWP ------------ BY PATRICK SCHLEISMAN WITH BABY BOOMERS continuing to age and Gen X close behind, the U.S. is facing a growing senior housing shortage as demand continues to outpace new construction. In Southern Pines, N.C., Penick Village is working to help address that need through a major expansion effort— one in which engineered wood is playing a critical role. Originally opened in 1964, the senior living community now spans 38 acres and includes 150 independent living residences, assisted living and rehabilitation services, and a range of resident amenities including restaurants, a library, movie theater, and hair salon. Its latest expansion, scheduled to open this summer, includes the renovation of an existing building along with four new structures: a wellness pavilion; Welcome House; Grove Villas, featuring six attached, two-bedroom homes with garages; and Weymouth Glen, a three-story hybrid apartment building designed as a wood structure over a concrete and steel podium with parking below. Looking ahead, an additional 206 units are planned as part of future development efforts.
Engineered for Efficiency, Safety & Sound Moving to a senior housing community should not require residents to settle, and that’s certainly the case at Penick Village, where the homes feature modern styling, ample amenities, and a high quality of life. The Weymouth Glen apartments are the latest example, and delivering on that promise required meticulous design and engineering for the building’s structural elements. Engineers faced several challenges when designing the framing. First, as is typical with podium construction, was efficient extension of the wood structure down through
38 • building products digest • J
the garage. Next was the lateral design, because the units have several wide window openings to ensure ample daylighting. The team used a Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Rod system in the shear wall design. Certain areas called for wood structural panels on both sides of the shear walls, and 1-1/2" LSL rim board, along with 1-1/2" LSL blocking panels, which helped transfer perimeter shear loads to the podium structure. LSL was used for the top and bottom plates because it is more resistant to shrinkage and swelling compared to dimension lumber. The apartments were designed with a modern open floor plan concept, which limited the amount of bearing walls within each unit and necessitated structural floor joists that could span upwards of 31 ft. to meet design, detailing and performance requirements set by code. RPLS Architects chose an I-joist system because it offered the ideal combination of efficiency while meeting acoustic, fire and cost considerations. Compared to open-web trusses, the I-joists yield a shallower depth. This reduced the floor-to-floor height and helped address the building’s height limitations. The extra height needed for open-web trusses also increases costs for other building materials. In addition, open-web trusses would have required more time for fabrication. Reducing sound transmission and increasing impact insulation through the walls and floors was paramount, especially because noise is a common complaint among residents in other buildings in the Village. The architects and engineers addressed these issues in the building’s floor design, choosing acoustic and fire-rated assemblies that included metal furring hat channels, I-joists, 23/32" subfloor, acoustical underlayment, and 1" gypcrete topping.
uly 2026
building-products.com
“Floor stiffness helps with structure-borne noise,” notes architect Craig Kimmel, so using an I-joist system that reduces deflection and vibration helped here, as well. “We find you can’t beat the efficiency of the I-joists,” adds structural engineer Paul Wiedorn, P.E. “We don’t just limit the live load deflection to the recommended deflection of L/480, because we’ve found, particularly with retirement communities, that that may or may not be sufficient.” With the long 31-ft. spans, “we have to be careful about the deflections and the vibration in particular,” Wiedorn says, noting that design live load deflections were, in some cases, in the range of L/750 in order to meet floor vibration performance requirements. Using I-joists also helped accommodate and save costs on fire safety requirements. Depending on the MEP layout and building geometry, compartmentalizing an I-joist floor cavity is often less expensive than compartmentalizing an open-web floor truss cavity. This is because NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R allow combustible concealed spaces to be built without sprinklers if they are subdivided into compartments that do not exceed 160 cubic ft. For I-joists, this is commonly accomplished with relatively simple firestop or draftstop material placed within the joist cavities.
Collaboration and Supply Chain Support Beyond the structural considerations, the team was concerned that potential tariffs on the Canadian wood products could escalate costs. This required efficiency in decision-making and procurement, and the team worked with distributor Eastern Engineered Wood Products to secure the materials. Eastern was able to hold to budgeted pricing and the tight project schedule to protect against
building-products.com
A UNIQUE ELEMENT in Weymouth Glen’s framing system is the notched blocking panels around the I-joist flanges.
unexpected cost increases. The tight deadlines, along with an early I-joist supplier change, meant there wasn’t time to coordinate the plumbing with the I-joist layouts for pre-cutting holes. Instead, the team used headers to stop joists short of the walls to allow for the plumbing. Though it wasn’t Blum Construction’s first I-joist project, as it was for senior superintendent Tyler McNeely, the team navigated the learning curve well. McNeely found that the wood I-joist framing “goes up fast, it’s lighter, and is capable of long spans.” BPD – Patrick Schleisman is an APA engineered wood specialist based in Atlanta, serving Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. Contact him at patrick.schleisman@apawood.org.
July 2026 • building products digest •
39
------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE
7 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOLES IN STRUCTURAL GLULAM RIM BOARD ------------ BY DR. JESSIE CHEN WHETHER ROUTING plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems, field-cut openings in structural components require careful consideration. These guidelines help builders and designers determine when and where holes can be safely cut in glulam rim board used in lightframe wood construction. Glued laminated timber rim board is made of highly engineered structural components manufactured from specially selected and positioned lumber laminations of varying strength and stiffness. Rim board provides a structural perimeter for floor or roof systems, closing cavities as well as transferring vertical and horizontal loads to walls or foundations. Since glulam rim board is generally designed for and used in applications where it will be stressed under combined design loads, whenever holes are not specified in the construction documents or shop drawings, one can follow the guidelines provided in APA’s Technical Topics: Holes in Structural Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) Rim Board in Light-Frame Wood Construction or consult the engineer of record before making modifications.
Hole Size Recommendations These recommendations are limited to APA-certified structural glued laminated timber (glulam) rim board with a thickness of 3-1/2" or larger, and a depth of 9-1/2" through 18". The maximum allowable hole size for an APA-certified glulam rim board shall be two-thirds of the rim board depth as shown in Table 1. The length of the rim board segment containing a hole shall be at least eight times the hole size.
designed in accordance with APA Technical Note: Effect of Large Diameter Horizontal Holes on the Bending and Shear Properties of Structural Glued Laminated Timber, Form V700. Exception: Round holes of 1" or less in diameter are permitted, provided they are positioned at the mid-depth and in the middle third of the span (see application Note 5 for minimum hole spacing) or the holes conform to APA Technical Note: Field Notching and Drilling of Structural Glued Laminated Timber Beams, Form S560.
(2) Field-cut holes should be vertically centered in the rim board and at least one hole diameter or 6" (whichever is less) clear distance away from the end of the wall line. Holes should never be placed such that they interfere with the attachment of the rim board to the ends of the floor joist, or any other code-required nailing. (3) While round holes are preferred, rectangular holes may be used, provided that the corners are not over-cut. Slightly rounding corners or pre-drilling corners with a one-inch-diameter bit is recommended. (4) When concentrated loads (are present on the rim board, holes should not be placed in the rim board within a distance equal to the depth of the rim board from the area of loading. (5) For multiple holes, the clear spacing between holes shall be at least two times the diameter of the larger hole, or twice the length of the longest side of the longest rectangular hole. This minimum hole spacing does
7 Recommended Application Notes (1) Do not cut holes in rim board installed over openings, such as doors or windows, where the rim board is not fully supported, unless the rim board is specifically
40 • building products digest • J
uly 2026
building-products.com
not apply to holes of 1" or less in diameter, which can be placed anywhere in the rim board, provided that the clear distance to the adjacent hole shall be 3" minimum.
(6) A group of round holes at approximately the same location shall be permitted if they meet the requirement of a single round hole circumscribed around them. For vertically stacked round holes, this rule shall be permitted to be applied. (7) All holes shall be cut in a workman-like manner in accordance with the limitations listed above.
APA offers a wide range of technical resources, APA Product Reports, and hundreds of complimentary publications covering engineered wood applications backed by decades of industry-leading research, testing and field experience. Builders, designers, and specifiers can find additional information on engineered wood products and the use of glulam in light-frame construction, including design recommendations and specification guidance, at www.apawood.org. BPD – Dr. Jessie Chen, P.E. is APA’s technical manager within their Technical Services Division and is based at APA headquarters in Tacoma, Wa. (www.awpa.org).
JAPANESE CEDAR JAPANESE CEDAR 杉 SUGI
ssourced o u r c e d from f r o m plantation p l a n t a t i o n grown g r o w n forests forests rreliable e l i a b l e volume v o l u m e and a n d proven p r o v e n durability durability decking
stained
timbers
fencing
Specialty products
decorative surrounds
Fencing, decking, Interior use and more learn more at: https://www.j-wood.org/ building-products.com
July 2026 • building products digest •
41
------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE
FRERES’ MASS PLY products were used for most of the structural components of the new 12,000-sq. ft. pavilion at the Woodland Park Zoo, including columns, beams and roof diaphragm.
BUILT FOR THE WILD
SEATTLE ZOO EMPLOYS MASS PLY FOR NEW EXHIBIT MASS TIMBER is walking on the wild side—through an expansive new pathway and pavilion at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Wa. On May 1, the zoo officially opened to the public a new Forest Trailhead exhibit, featuring Freres Engineered Wood’s Mass Ply products. Forest Trailhead will guide guests along an elevated treetop path and through a 12,000-sq. ft. mass-timber pavilion, blending sustainable architecture with natural habitats. LMN Architects used Mass Ply for many of the building’s structural and aesthetic elements, including beams, columns and most notably the pavilion’s eye-catching roof. “We chose Mass Ply for the project because it evokes the feeling of being in a tree canopy—perfect for an
OUT FRONT, an elevated path—also made of Mass Ply—leads visitors to the new exhibit. (Photo by Matt Swain Photography)
42 • building products digest • J
exhibit on forests and sustainable forest management,” said Mark La Venture, associate (PA) at LMN Architects. “We loved how the contrast between the layers and the flat surfaces added depth and interest to the design. The sustainability story was also a big draw, since Mass Ply uses more of the tree than conventional products, aligning perfectly with the [exhibit’s] conservation message.” From start to finish, Forest Trailhead exhibit is dedicated to the global movement of forest conservation. Guests enter the exhibit on an elevated canopy path and encounter Matschie’s tree kangaroos from Papua New Guinea, marking their return to the zoo for the first time in a decade. Later, visitors descend to the forest floor and learn about its role in healthy ecosystems. The Mass Ply pavilion reinforces the building’s message. Exposed wood and round skylights overhead filter light like gaps in a forest canopy, bringing biophilic design principles to life. The material behind it all carries its own conservation story. Mass Ply requires less energy to manufacture and emits less carbon than other structural materials, and is produced primarily from small-diameter trees to help reduce overstocking in Northwest forests. “Mass Ply was made for projects like this, where it can both perform structurally and contribute to the larger story of conservation,” says Tyler Freres, VP of sales at Freres Engineered Wood. “Mass Ply products are grown and manufactured in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s only fitting that they’re now featured in a building dedicated to teaching people why forests are worth protecting.” The exhibit also incorporated multiple strategies to reduce embodied carbon, such as managing on-site stormwater and installing bird-safe windows and solar panels. Forest Trailhead exhibit is targeting LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council. BPD
uly 2026
building-products.com
THE BEST
IS ALWAYS IN
DEMAND. YellaWood® brand pressure treated pine stands unrivaled in providing the best available protection against rot, fungal decay and termite attack. Enjoy the uncompromising beauty of a backyard made with high quality natural wood products from YellaWood® brand pressure treated pine. Visit yellawood.com for more information.
YellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. For details regarding the Preservatives, methods, and technologies used by Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, see www.yellawood.com/preservative or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. Ask dealer for warranty details. For warranty or for important handling and other information concerning our products including the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS), please visit us at www.yellawood.com/ warranties or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. YellaWood® and the yellow tag are federally registered trademarks of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are used with their permission.
------------| MOVERS & SHAKERS Ryan McDermott has been promoted to general mgr. of Tibbetts Lumber Co., Ocala, Fl. Josh Brown has been named chief executive officer and president of Bliffert Lumber, Milwaukee, Wi. He succeeds Eli Bliffert, who will serve as chairman of the board of directors. Jay Walsh replaces Brown as chief operating officer. Dan Plate is the new director of operations. Ryan Abbott has joined the outside sales team at Southern Lumber Supply, Lynn Haven, Fl. Ariana Cray is a new lumber trader with Seaboard International Forest Products, Nashua, N.H. Sarah Haenel, formerly with Armacell and Boise Cascade, has joined Pollmeier Massivholz as Wisconsin-based U.S. area sales mgr. for European spruce LVL products. Eric J. Glasser has joined the sales team at Wagon Wheel Lumber & Hardware, Washburn, N.D. Anna Snyder has been named chief financial officer for P.T. O'Malley Lumber Co., York Springs, Pa. Ronald Guzman, ex-American Builders Supply, has been appointed general mgr. of Hitek Truss, Tampa, Fl. Alex Ray is new to LBM Advantage, New Windsor, N.Y., as associate director, building products. Bart Lucas has been promoted to vice president of sales for RoMac Building Supply, Leesburg, Fl. John Adams, ex-White Cap, is a new account executive with QXO, Orlando, Fl.
44 • building products digest • J
Katerina “Kat” Cozza has been appointed chief financial officer for Benjamin Obdyke, Horsham, Pa. Lee Rahn is the new sales mgr. for Builders FirstSource, Rapid City, S.D. Brian Munson, ex-Meritage Homes, is new to Carter Lumber, Greenville, S.C., as installed sales project mgr. John Keeley, vice president of the Building Materials Division of LMC, Wayne, Pa., will retire Sept. 4 after 38 years with the company. Deirdre Garland has been promoted to vice president of marketing. Jason Willis is now with Dock Builders Supply, Gibsonton, Fl., as business development mgr. Todd Pallotta has been promoted to president of Stark Truss Co., Canton, Oh. Aaron Howald has been appointed as to succeed Alan Haughie as executive VP and CFO of LP Building Solutions, Nashville, Tn., effective Sept. 1 with Haughie's retirement. Robert Massengill has been named president of 260unit Ace Retail Group, Kansas City, Mo. Kendra Ramaley is the new marketing mgr. for Chelsea Building Products, Oakmont, Pa. Courtney Flanagan has joined Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co., Philadelphia, Pa., as vice president of claims. Pierce Deere is evaluating the grooming standards at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., report co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.
uly 2026
building-products.com
LENCO TO MOVE BUFFALO HQ
LenCo Supplies is seeking approval to relocate its headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., to a recently acquired site in nearby Clarence, N.Y. Company officials said the new 43,200-sq. ft. building will use the space more efficiently than its current 56,000-sq. ft. facility. The property already has a 15,450-sq. ft. building on site, which will be renovated and reduced in size by 4,000 sq. ft. Last year, LenCo paid $1.15 million for the Clarence site. They estimate that, once approved, construction will take about a year to complete. The current Buffalo operation will remain open and fully operational until the new one is completed. LenCo also has yards in Williamston and Kenmore, N.Y.
programming focused on bringing more women into the industry, leadership development, and career growth. Building on the success of the inaugural event, LBM Advantage will host a second Women’s Alliance program on Sept. 3—a live Teams webinar featuring a panel of respected female professionals. Panelists include Louise Eddy, owner of Saratoga Quality Hardware; Clara Collins, operations manager at S.W. Collins Co.; Donna DiMarco, VP at Monmouth Building Center; and Ivy Su-Johanson, director of
purchasing at Spahn & Rose. The discussion will focus on career journeys, leadership experiences, challenges and opportunities, and practical insights for women at all stages of their careers. “Our goal is to create an engaging and authentic conversation that highlights the many career paths available within our industry while providing practical insight and inspiration for those who wish to advance their careers,” said Kellianne Lundgren, director of human resources at LBM Advantage.
MITEK ACQUIRES ACER LUMBER RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS
After years of close collaboration, Acer Inc. Lumber Retrieval Systems, Rushford, Mn., is now part of MiTek. The deal reinforces MiTek’s continued investment in automation. The Ranger system will continue to support the workflows and equipment configurations customers rely on every day. Acer offers advanced lumber retrieval systems designed for wood truss and wall panel manufacturers. Its systems are built to order, customizable to suit specific plant layouts and production flows.
LBM ADVANTAGE LAUNCHES WOMEN’S ALLIANCE
LBM Advantage, New Windsor, N.Y., has launched the LBM Advantage Women’s Alliance, a new initiative designed to foster connection, professional development, and leadership opportunities for women across the co-op’s membership of independent lumberyards. The Alliance soft launched in March with a virtual leadership webinar featuring Lynne JensenNelson, CEO of Conversionomics, who presented “Lead with Impact, Influence & Inspiration.” The session received overwhelmingly positive feedback from members and reinforced the demand for meaningful conversations and building-products.com
July 2026 • building products digest •
45
SIX OF A KIND: Chace Building Supply, Foxboro, Ma., completed a 1,200-sq. ft. deck and railing displaying consisting of six TimberTech mini decks.
NEW ENGLAND DEALER DECKS OUT YARD WITH MEGA-OUTDOOR LIVING DISPLAY
Chace Building Supply, Foxboro, Ma., recently completed a new 1,200-sq. ft. outdoor decking and railing display, designed to inspire homeowners, contractors and builders with a hands-on look at premium outdoor living solutions. The newly installed multi-level display features six custom-designed and professionally built mini deck installations, each showcasing a unique combination of TimberTech decking and railing systems, along with a variety of skirting options to demonstrate both aesthetic and functional possibilities. Constructed in partnership with local builder South Eastern Carpentry, the project highlights craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the versatility of modern composite decking materials. “This display was created to give our customers a true, real-world perspective on what’s possible,” said Rich Chace, owner of Chace Building Supply. “From color variation and texture to railing styles and skirting details, we wanted to make it easier for homeowners and contractors to visualize their projects and feel confident in their selections.”
DO IT BEST TEAMS WITH SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
Do it Best Group and The Sherwin-Williams Co. have entered into a long-term strategic partnership designed to strengthen the future of paint for Do it Best members and True Value retailers. The partnership combines Do it Best Group’s brand ownership,
46 • building products digest • J
retailer relationships, and channel expertise with Sherwin-Williams manufacturing depth, innovation capabilities, and supply chain support. As part of the agreement, Do it Best Group will retain ownership and management of the EasyCare and Best Look paint brands, including quality standards, marketing, promotions, and commercial stewardship. EasyCare will remain exclusive to True Value retailers, and Best Look will remain exclusive to Do it Best members. Sherwin-Williams will assume manufacturing responsibilities for EasyCare products and continue manufacturing Best Look products, providing greater long-term production continuity and operational resiliency. The agreement also includes the acquisition of the Majic and Shur-Line brands by Sherwin-Williams, with exclusivity preserved for Do it Best and True Value retailers within the independent and owned hardware channel. “This partnership allows us to keep control of the brands and the retailer experience while adding the scale and innovation of a global leader in the paints and coatings industry,” said Do it Best Group CEO Dan Starr. “It is a smart, future-focused move that strengthens what we can deliver in the category.” “We are proud to expand our relationship with Do it Best Group and support the continued growth of these important brands and the retailers they serve,” said Todd Rea, Sherwin-Williams president, Consumer Brands Group.
FORTUNE BRANDS EVALUATING FIBERON
Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc., an industry-leading home, security and digital products company, in collaboration with its board of directors and management has initiated a formal strategic review of its Fiberon composite decking business. The review reflects Fortune Brands’ ongoing commitment to active portfolio management and capital allocation discipline and is intended to ensure the company’s resources are concentrated in its highest-return opportunities. The process will explore a range of strategic alternatives while Fiberon continues to execute against its near-term commercial priorities and support and service customers. “Fortune Brands is committed to maximizing shareholder value through disciplined portfolio management,” said Fortune Brands interim chief executive officer David Barry. “While Fiberon is a strong brand with proven innovation credentials and well-established channel relationships, this strategic review supports our sharpened focus on our core platforms that drive profitable growth.” Fortune Brands has not established a definitive timetable for completion of the review, and there can be no assurance that this process will result in any transaction or other specific outcome. The company does not intend to make further public comment on the review unless and until it determines that disclosure is required or appropriate. Other Fortune brands include Therma-Tru, Larson, Master Lock, Sentry Safe, Yale Residential, Moen, House of Rohl, Aqualisa, and SpringWell.
uly 2026
building-products.com
FALL MARKET 2026 INDIANAPOLIS, IN | SEPTEMBER 25-28
BETTER FOR YOUR BUSINESS Join retailers, vendors, and industry leaders in Indianapolis for four days of innovation, education, networking, and exclusive buying opportunities designed to help your business grow stronger.
Better Brand Recognition. Better Programs. Better Pricing. Better for Your Business.
Register Today Scan QR code to register at doitbestmarket.com
MILLWORK SELECTION CENTER is just one section of Orgain Building Supply’s new recently renovated “whole-home” showroom.
ORGAIN SHOWS OFF WHOLE-HOME SHOWROOM Orgain Building Supply, Clarksville, Tn., hosted a grand opening of its newly renovated showroom on May 22, welcoming contractors, remodelers, homeowners and community members to experience the whole-home selection center. The event included guided tours of the updated showroom, vendor demonstrations, food and refreshments, and opportunities for attendees to explore the new space
firsthand. Guests were among the first to experience a fully reimagined showroom designed to bring every stage of a home project into one centralized, interactive environment. The six-month renovation marks a significant transformation for Orgain Building Supply, shifting the showroom from a traditional display space into a comprehensive wholehome design center. The updated layout allows customers to explore
flooring, roofing, windows and doors, millwork and trim, cabinetry, countertops, paint and additional building materials all in one location. General manager Chuck Mailloux said the redesigned showroom was built to change how customers approach the selection process. “The biggest difference is the experience,” Mailloux said. “Customers can now walk through and see how everything connects across a full project. They can touch the materials, compare options side by side, and make decisions with their contractor in a much more complete and confident way. It streamlines a process that was previously spread across multiple steps and locations.” In addition to expanding its product offerings, Orgain has focused on creating a more collaborative environment where contractors can bring customers into a single space to make selections together. The goal is to reduce miscommunication, streamline ordering, and improve project outcomes from concept to completion. “What we’ve created here is really built around helping people visualize the full project,” Mailloux said. “Instead of sending customers to multiple locations or working off separate samples, everything is now in one place. It allows for better conversations, better decisions and ultimately better results.”
HFG BUYS, REMODELS PENN ACES
Houchens Food Group (HFG), Bowling Green, Ky., has purchased Ace Hardware in Butler, Pa., from Mary and Mike Waggner and Cameron and Amy Bodamer. HFG owns Ace Hardware stores in six states—Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Pennsylvania—as well as more than 400 grocery stores across 15 states, plus several fast food franchises. Since opening in 2017, the store has become a trusted destination for hardware products and services, building a strong reputation for exceptional customer service and community involvement. One month earlier, on April 22, HFG celebrated the grand reopening of Ace Fix-It Hardware in Roaring Spring, Pa., after its Ace Hardware Corp. Elevate 3 remodel, enhancing the shopping experience for the local community.
48 • building products digest • J
uly 2026
building-products.com
UNDERLAYMENT CONSIDERED THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY FOR ITS UNIFORM DETAILING
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Engineered wood combines strength, versatility, and value for a wide range of building applications. From floors to energy-efficient and resilient designs, it delivers dependable performance where it matters most.
RESISTS DENTS FROM CONCENTRATED LOADS WATERPROOF BONDS UNIFORM SURFACE FOR ATTACHING SUBFLOORS
Specifications: Square Edge and T&G Thickness: 19/32", 23/32", and 1 1/8" Dimensions: 4x8 Ply: Up to 7
DURABLE AND RESISTANT LAYER UNDER FINISH FLOORING
CONTACT US! 541-492-7521 swansongroup.biz
------------| NEW PRODUCTS
PREMIUM CELLULAR PVC SIDING Elite Cladding is engineered with Veyros Technology, a premium cellular PVC formulation that expands and contracts far less than comparable products. Its advanced acrylic capstock locks in vibrant color and texture, delivering exceptional resistance to fading, weathering and impact with minimal maintenance. Offered are Lap Siding and Board & Batten for a bold vertical style and modern architectural appeal. The speedy AuraLok Panel Connector System creates a seamless, interlocking fit with no visible fasteners and an almost invisible butt joint.
HEARTWOOD DECKING Tolko VISTA Everheart decking is designed for customers who want the look and performance of natural wood without the need for chemical treatment. Manufactured entirely from Douglas-fir heartwood, it delivers natural resistance to rot and decay while providing a durable surface that remains comfortable underfoot. Removing sapwood helps ensure more consistent durability and long-term performance. This heartwood-focused profile delivers consistent density and a tighter grain appearance, helping create a more stable and resilient decking option for outdoor living applications.
ELITECLADDING.COM (833) 666-2389
TOLKO.COM (250) 545-4411
,
QUICK CUTS
Westlake Royal Building Products launched Vertälla, a striking, vertical accent panel for its Royal and Exterior Portfolio vinyl siding lines. Its clean vertical lines are ideal for highlighting architectural focal points, allowing designers and builders to add dimension without overwhelming the overall facade and meet demand for multi-textured exteriors. It is offered in 10 light, medium and dark colors, ranging from bold, modern hues to versatile neutrals.
Milwaukee Tool’s new M18 FUEL 7-1/4" Rear Handle Circular Saw w/One-Key provides professionals with class-leading performance and cut speed for the most demanding applications. The cordless PowerState Brushless Motor delivers 6000 RPM, maintaining high speed through tough ripping, framing and engineered‑lumber cuts. With a 2-5/8” cut capacity, it can cut through three times the material in a single pass. The saw is 1.5 lbs. lighter than the previous generation. Advances in RedLink Plus Intelligence ensure maximum tool performance and protection from overload, overheating and over-discharge. Other features include AutoStop advanced kickback prevention, VacLink wireless dust collection, and One-Key wirelessly syncing.
WESTLAKEROYALBUILDINGPRODUCTS.COM (800) 521-8486
MILWAUKEETOOL.COM (800) 729-3878
VERTICAL ACCENT PANEL
50 • building products digest • J
uly 2026
building-products.com
THE POSSIBILITIES KEEP GROWING:
REDWOOD Nature’s majestic pillars. dwood iis so on ne o off tth he s sttrongest a an nd ffa as t e s t g grrowing s so oftwood spe spec cies. It thrives in Re Red some of the most productive timberlands in the world. Redwood is known for its timeless durability without the use of chemicals. Due to its flawless formation, there has never been a Redwood recall. There is a grade of Redwood for every application, every budget, and every customer.
“Growing beyond measure.” Call or visit us today. Our family of Redwood timberland owners will continue to be your reputable and reliable source of Redwood.
Call us at 707.894.4241 Visit us at buyRedwood.com
BASEMENT WALL INSULATION Knauf Insulation has added a new R-19 option to its Performance+ Basement Wall Insulation product line, providing builders with an effective insulation option for projects requiring higher thermal performance. In addition to delivering the required R-value performance, the new product features an enhanced wider, folded-tab facing design intended to improve installation efficiency and create a cleaner, more finished appearance once installed. All Knauf Performance+ insulation has been third-party tested by Allergy Standards, ensuring they have formaldehyde-free binder, extremely low dust levels post-installation, and extremely low VOC emissions.
KNAUFNORTHAMERICA.COM (800) 825-4434
FIRE-RATED STEEL DOORS Novatech Group is now bringing to North America its Altitude Collection 8-ft. doors in 20-minute fire-rated construction. With the addition of the patent-pending N950 door, the Altitude Collection offers one of the most extensive lines of 8-ft. fire-rated doors on the market today. The new doors are available in a wide range of contemporary and classical styles. The new certified N950 steel-faced foam core, wood edge single-swing fire doors meet the fire-resistance requirements of a 20-minute rating when tested in accordance with UL 10C, CAN/ULC S104 and NFPA 252 up to a maximum size of 36" x 95". Designed for residential applications, they feature 24-gauge galvanized steel skins which are resistant to warping and corrosion. Their rigid polyurethane foam core delivers thermal performance as well as sound suppression. The wood stiles and rails along the door’s edges provide structural integrity and allow for simple, efficient hardware installation.
GROUPENOVATECH.COM/EN (800) 257-8641
REFRESHED STAPLE GUN Arrow Tool Group has unveiled a refreshed design for its popular T50X Heavy-Duty Staple Gun, giving one of its most trusted DIY fastening tools a modern new appearance while maintaining the performance and reliability users have come to expect. Now featuring a bold red-and-black housing, the tool combines an ergonomic grip with a simple push-button loading mechanism, making staple loading quick and hassle-free.
ARROWTOOLGROUP.COM (800) 776-2228
52 • building products digest • J
PRECISION TRIMMING Idech Power Rotary Scissors attach to the ends of trimmers for safer, more precise trimming and mowing. The scissor-action cuts through plant growth with ease and reportedly won’t kick back rocks, twigs or other debris. A bottom disk prevents scalping and damaging lawns.
IDECH.CO.JP
uly 2026
building-products.com
SEE
Read grade rules, span details, and get new promotional ideas for your business.
USE ALL YOUR SENSES. Visit nelma.org for all things eastern white pine, spruce-pinefir and other softwood species grown in the Northeast and Great Lakes region. Scan here for access to NELMA’s most recent Grade Rule Book.
@NortheasternLumberMfg
Simply hold the camera on your smartphone over this image.
@wood_inspiration1933
@WoodInspiration
STAINABLE COMPOSITE SIDING
ALUMINUM OUTSWINGERS
Modern Mill has introduced ACRE Shingle Siding, reportedly the only stainable composite shingle on the market. It accepts stain evenly without knots, sap lines, or tannin bleed. The perfection shingle is available 5/16" thick in 4-ft. panels in ACRE Grain. It is available factory finished in all seven colors of Modern Mill’s Signature Stain Collection: Biloxi, Amory, Walnut, ACRE Black, Laurel, Montauk Gray, and Mahogany. Like all other ACRE products, the siding is made from over 50% upcycled rice hulls with the rest being a clean rigid PVC resin. It is 100% tree-free, and doesn’t contain any phenol, formaldehyde, adhesives or VOCs. It is designed to match the natural warmth of cedar shingles without the weathering, rot or frequent maintenance that comes with real wood. It’s resistant to water, rot, weather, splintering and pests.
Crystal Window & Door Systems is introducing the aluminum outswing projected Series 8700 windows. Available in casement, awning, and fixed styles and featuring state-of-the-art polyamide strut thermal break technology, the architectural windows excel in thermal performance and comply with the latest stringent energy code requirements. With a 3-1/4" jamb depth, they are suitable for new construction and replacement applications involving mid-rise, high-rise, multi-family, office, hospitality or institutional properties.
CRYSTALWINDOWS.COM (718) 961-7300
MODERN-MILL.COM (601) 844-7707
BACKER BOARD GETS BACKING
CARBONITE OPENINGS This summer, MI Windows & Doors is launching the Carbonite Collection, a premium black/black vinyl window and door collection. It starts with MI’s popular 1620 single-hung and picture windows, 1630 horizontal slider, fixed windows, and three new products: the 3075 Casement and 3065 Awning in its V3000 Series and the VX4500 Moving Glass Wall system. Products feature premium capstock color technology for dark-colored vinyl windows and doors, offering the durability of through-color vinyl and improved heat resistance over standard uPVC vinyl, while maintaining the excellent thermal and structural performance associated with vinyl products.
HydroBlok’s HB One Backer CI panel passed testing for direct-to-stud installation in non-shear wall applications—a breakthrough that removes another costly layer from the traditional wall assembly, while delivering builtin continuous insulation. With the new direct-to-stud capability, the product can be installed directly to wood framing in designated non-shear wall sections, covering around 80% of the wall surface. The product itself did not fundamentally change. Rather, its role in the wall assembly has been approved to evolve. It is recognized for code compliance through ICC, with full evaluation documentation for the direct-to-stud application forthcoming.
MIWINDOWS.COM (717) 365-3300
HYDROBLOK.COM (855) 223-2929
54 • building products digest • J
uly 2026
building-products.com
NAWLA’s Lumber Math for Traders Price Smarter. Trade Confidently. Protect Your Margins. Give your team the essential skills behind every accurate quote. NAWLA’s new on‑demand course uses real world orders to teach board foot calculations, freight impact, mill pricing, margin protection and key conversions. Traders learn to price accurately, work efficiently and make smarter decisions with every order.
NAWLA Lumber Calculator — Included course purchase to support daily work. Quick, clear and built for busy traders. The calculator, born from the Lumber Math for Trader’s course, helps verify board feet, confirm volumes and streamline workflow with accurate, dependable numbers.
Access today at academy.nawla.org
------------| CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE Rates: $1.20 per word (25 word minimum). Column inch rate: $65 per inch. Deadline: 10th of previous month. Questions? Call (714) 486-2735.
PRODUCTS FOR SALE NORTH CAROLINA RELOAD
Lumber Wrap & Covers made in the usa High Quality Protection • PP or PE Printed Logo or Plain • Ships in Days
Domestic Production Fast, Consistent Supply
Lloyd Pullen • (704) 433-5831 manurep@bellsouth.net
Shaver Reload, Statesville, NC
• Norfolk Southern Mainline Served • Easy Access to I-85, I-77 & I-40 • Company Owned Truck Fleet • Outdoor and Indoor Storage • 12 Acres Fenced with Security Lighting • 25+ years Reload Experience
WANTED TO BUY
www.MidwestCanvas.com
WANTED TO BUY
(704) 872-3148 • Fax (704) 872-3146 Email Tom Lakeman shavers.reload@gmail.com
------------| DATE BOOK Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.
Florida Hardware Co. – Aug. 14-15, fall dealer market, Orlando, Fl.; www. floridahardware.com. Construction Suppliers Association – Aug. 19, Lunch & Learn, Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Auburn, Al.; www.gocsa.com.
Construction Suppliers Association – July 14, DOT compliance workshops, Tyrone, Ga.; July 16, Jackson, Ms.; www.gocsa.com.
International Woodworking Fair – Aug. 25-28, Atlanta, Ga.; www. iwfatlanta.com.
Forest Products Society – July 14-17, international conference, Eugene, Or.; www.forestprod.org.
Midwest Building Suppliers Association – Sept. 3, White Pine Classic Golf Outing, Tullymore Golf Resort, Stanwood, Mi.; thembsa.org.
Missouri Forest Products Association – July 17-18, summer meeting, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.; www.moforest.org.
Hoo-Hoo International – Sept. 8-12, international convention, Sydney, Australia; www.hoohoo.org.
Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Assn. – July 22-26, annual conference, Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Fairhope, Al.; slma.org.
National Hardwood Lumber Association – Sept. 9-11, intro to grading hardwood lumber, Memphis, Tn.; www.nhla.com.
Building Material Suppliers Association – July 23-26, summer conference, Hilton, Virginia Beach, Va.; www.mybmsa.org.
American Wood Protection Association – Sept. 13-17, fall technical committee meetings, Orlando, Fl.; www.awpa.com.
BLD Connection – July 28, Wisconsin golf outing, Trappers Turn Golf Club, Wisconsin Dells, Wi.; members.bldconnection.org.
World Millwork Alliance – Sept. 14-16, convention & show, Loews Pacific, Orlando, Fl.; www.worldmillworkalliance.com.
Construction Suppliers Association – July 28-29, HR roundtable, CSA office, Tyrone, Ga.; www.gocsa.com.
National Hardwood Lumber Association – Sept. 16-18, annual convention & show, Cleveland, Oh.; www.nhla.com.
Southeast Building Conference – July 29-30, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fl.; www.sebcshow.com.
Blish-Mize – Sept. 17-19, market, Overland Park, Ks.; www.blishmize.com.
New Jersey Building Material Dealers Assn. – July 30, Summer Social Somerset Patriots baseball outing, Bridgewater, N.J.; www.nrla.org. BLD Connection – Aug. 5, Women in LBM online Lunch & Learn: The Leadership Trap of Doing Too Much; members.bldconnection.org. Midwest Building Suppliers Association – Aug. 6, Sycamore Scramble Golf Outing, Anderson Country Club, Anderson, In.; thembsa.org. BLD Connection – Aug. 11-12, Links & Lures, Izatys Resort, Onamia, Mn.; members.bldconnection.org.
Ace Hardware Corp. – Sept. 22-24, fall convention, Orlando, Il.; www. acehardware.com. Construction Suppliers Assn. – Sept. 23-25, annual conference & tradeshow, King & Prince Resort, St. Simons Island, Ga.; gocsa.com. Do it Best/True Value – Sept. 25-28, fall market, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, In.; www.doitbestmarket.com. Composite Panel Association – Sept. 27-29, fall meeting, Hyatt Regency Savannah, Savannah, Ga.; www.compositepanel.org.
Fastmarkets – Aug. 11-12, Forest Products Latin America Conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil; www.fastmarkets.com.
Kentucky Building Materials Assn. – Sept. 29-30, blueprint reading & material take-off workshop, The Trail Hotel, Bardstown, Ky.; Oct. 1, golf scramble, Bardstown Country Club, Bardstown, Ky.; kbma.net.
Mid-States Distributing – Aug. 11-12, Fall Rendezvous, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Az.; www.msdist.com.
Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association – Sept. 30-Oct. 2, annual meeting, Samoset Resort, Rockport, Me.; www.nelma.org.
56 • building products digest • J
uly 2026
building-products.com
d wood product on the market b-300Fv-2.1E r installation – 3 ½” , 5 ½”, and 7” s Timber wood framing systems | Initiative (SFI®) Certified nce PAGE uperior strength e MSR Lumber 21 strength solution for ral applications
------------ ADVERTISERS INDEX
7
PWT www.pwtewp.com
25, 51
Redwood Empire www.buyredwood.com
31
RoyOMartin www.royomartin.com
Arxada www.wolmanizedwood.com
5
Solidwood Forest Ltd. www.solidwoodforest.com
Biewer Lumber www.biewerlumber.com
49
Swanson Group Sales Co. www.swansongroup.biz
41
Bowers Forest Products www.j-wood.org
Cover I
Trimjoist www.trimjoist.com
48
Crumpler Plastic Pipe www.cpp-pipe.com
Cover III
Viance www.treatedwood.com
CT Darnell www.ct-darnell.com
13
Weyerhaeuser Co. www.weyerhaeuser.com
One. Stop. Shop.
Anthony Forest Products www.anthonyforest.com
Anthony Forest Products is part of the Canfor Group of Companies
00. 221. B E A M
|
39
W W W. A N T H O N Y FO R E S T. CO M
©
APA–The Engineered Wood Assn. www.apawood.com
Anthony Forest Products Company, LLC
11/27/19 11:51 AM
Cover II
17
Scan for the full story and video
Storing millwork can be tough. Size variation, custom orders, temperature sensitivity—all can add to the challenges suppliers face as they seek efficient onsite storage solutions. That’s why Greg Zuern decided to try something completely different. Together with CT Darnell and Sunbelt Rack, Zuern Building Products consolidated all their millwork into one reimagined building for maximum efficiency. The results speak for themselves. Thanks to this change, they saw: 50% faster pick times $8MM more in deliveries with fewer trucks and drivers
22
Maximized inventory efficiency and increased SKU count by over 15%
CT-Darnell.com •27 Sunbelt-Rack.com • 800-353-0892
d-full-Horiz-050724.indd 1
© WTD Holdings, Inc., 2024. All rights reserved.
47
Culpeper Wood Preservers www.culpeperwood.com
5/7/24 11:25 AM
Do it Best Group www.doitbestmarket.com
37
Eastern Engineered Wood Products www.eewp.com
26
Elk Creek Forest Products www.elkcreekforest.com
3
Evolution Industries evolution.ltd
33
Freres Engineered Wood www.frereswood.com
43
Great Southern Wood Preserving www.yellawood.com
Cover IV
Humboldt Sawmill www.mendoco.com
44
KopCoat www.kopcoat.com
55
NAWLA www.nawla.org
53
NELMA www.nelma.org
9
ODL, Inc. www.odl.com
45
Pelican Bay Forest Products www.pelicanbayfp.com
15
Provia www.provia.com
23
ProWood www.prowoodlumber.com
building-products.com
------------| IN MEMORIAM Harold A. LaValley, 94, founder and CEO of LaValley Building Supply, Newport, N.H., passed away on May 19. Harold graduated from Bryant College in Providence, R.I., in 1952. He developed enthusiasm for the lumber industry in 1954, when he built his own house. After working in the plumbing and heating department at Montgomery Ward, he went to work from 1955-1962 for Hadley Lumber. He later started his own lumber manufacturing business. In 1962, the business that would become LaValley’s opened its doors in Newport. Today, it has 600 employees and 13 locations in New Hampshire and Vermont. For 64 years, never a day went by that Harold wasn’t either at the office or drawing up business plans. He previously served as finance chairman and chairman of the board for Lumbermen’s Merchandising Corp. Edward J. “Buddy” Irby, Jr., 72, retired VP of sales for Anderson Tully Co., Vicksburg, Ms., died May 20. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Buddy spent nearly 40 years in the hardwood industry. Emmett Barry Sanford, 65, founder and owner of Trimjoist Corp., Columbus, Ms., tragically passed away in a private plane crash on May 31. An accomplished, longtime pilot, he had no passengers at the time. A 1985 graduate of the University of Alabama, he introduced Trimjoist, the first trimmable floor truss system, in 1994 as part of Rebel Building Components, Vernon, Al. Trimjoist has since grown to dedicated manufacturing facilities in Mississippi and Idaho. Eugene Elmer “Gene” Becket, longtime lumberyard manager in Illinois, died on May 16, one week shy of his 96th birthday. After serving in the U.S. Army, he started his 40-year career in the lumber industry with Alexander Lumber, Shabbona, Il., later transferring to the Batavia location. He then joined Hines Lumber, managing yards in St. Charles, Downers Grove, and Wheaton, Il. July 2026 • building products digest •
57
------------| FLASHBACK
80 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH
FLASHBACK:
POST-WAR BOOM EIGHTY YEARS AGO this month, BPD sister publication The California Lumber Merchant took note of the insane building boom that hit the country in general— and the Los Angeles area in particular—after the end of World War II. As reported in the July 1946 issue of The Merchant: “Back in the good year 1923, we thought we had a world-beating building boom going on in Los Angeles. And we DID, compared with anything of the past, or in the remainder of the world. But it did not compare with the high tide of building being done in Los Angeles in 1946. For the first five months of 1923, the building permits totaled $78.8 million, while from January through May in 1946 the building permits reached a total of $109.8 million. In fact, the first 10 months of 1923 barely passed the record of the first five months of 1946, reaching a total of $112 million.
,
US GYPSUM long stressed innovation in its advertising, having pioneered Sheetrock drywall in 1917 and being on the verge of developing Durabond joint compound in the 1950s.
58 • building products digest • J
Founded in 1906, Los Angeles-based distributor Western Hardwood Lumber Co. survived the Great Depression and World War II, but not long after fell into bankruptcy and was sold off in pieces.
It therefore appears very likely that the building in Los Angeles this year will without doubt double the record established in 1923. From a lumber standpoint, the record of 1946 over 1923 is even greater, because in 1923 this city enjoyed a great boom in downtown business buildings of the larger size and character, while so far in 1946 the building of homes is the dominant feature of the boom. It would be safe to guess that 1946 will build three or four times as many homes in Los Angeles as did 1923. The intake of lumber into the city has changed tremendously since 1923. At that time, about 90% of all lumber came in by water. Today the figures are reversed and fully 90% comes in by rail. Art Kayser, Southern California rep of the West Coast Lumbermen’s Association, estimates that on average 200 cars of lumber arrive in Los Angeles daily, carrying more than 25,000 ft. of lumber per car. This would indicate that a minimum of 130 million ft. of lumber is arriving in Los Angeles monthly, which also far surpasses the records of 1923. The shortage of lumber in Los Angeles is far less noticeable than that of many other important items of building materials, such as sash, doors, millwork, flooring, roofing, hardware, plumbing, wallboard and plywood. If the supply of these materials should show much increase, it would cause a still greater upward spurt in Los Angeles building. It is estimated that about 70 new retail lumberyards have started up in Los Angeles in the last eight months. One of the great Los Angeles industries now is commercial remanufacturing of lumber, meaning resawing, ripping and otherwise re-working large lumber items from the North into boards. There are eight or more large outfits engaged in this business in the city today, and they turn out about half a million ft. daily.” BPD
uly 2026
building-products.com
60 • building products digest • J
uly 2026
building-products.com