Souther weather

lQovn BUSTNESS EXpERrs may have \Jdeclared the economic recession technically over, but the country's rough downturn continues for construction markets. Until some meaningful recovery is in on the horizon, resourceful LBM dealers are finding the means to stay ahead in a very depressed market.

During times like rhese. ir pays to remember that the best products are not necessarily the newest. Southern pine lumber has been a building staple since settlers first milled logs for homes and shipbuilding in Jamestown, Va., 400 years ago. In fact, historical accounts show that sawmilling specialists were among the earliest recruits sought by the founders of Jamestown.

On the Horizon: New SP Design Values

Last October, new design values for visually graded southern pine dimension lumber were submitted bv the Southern Pine lnspection Bureau io the American Lumber Standard Committee Board of Review. SPIB is the first ruleswriting agency to submit new values. Rules-writing agencies responsible for other lumber species are in different stages for evaluating design values.

The last major change for visually graded dimension lumber occurred in 1991, when design values for southern pine and other North American species were published based on in-grade testing of full-size samples of commercially produced lumber.

Since 1994, SPIB has conducted an annual resource monitoring program developed in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory. Although the level established to trigger additional testing was never reached, overall hends in the annual test data suggesf ed a possible shift in the resource mix. These trends, along with anecdotal external information, prompted SPIB to conduct a year-long program of testing and data review,

As a service to the industrv. SFPA has posted SPIB's proposed' design values on SouthernPine.com. A link from the homepage takes visitors directly to its new landing page for all information related to this much-discussed tooic.

"SFPA is providing this information to all levels of the southern pine lumber manufacturing and supply chain, as a service to our members and their customers," said SFPA president Adrian Blocker. "These proposed design values from SPIB will help the dialogue progress to a better understanding of the process, the data, and the impacts on our industry."

Also from this new landing page, visitors can review a collection of news releases with comprehensive background info and the latest updates, plus answers to the 30 most frequently asked questions explaining the process and impacts of the SPIB proposal. Current design values that remain effective until SPIB publishes new values remain on this site, as well.

The inherent features that made southern pine a key player in our nation's colonial days continue to make it a wise choice today. Southern Pine is plentiful, durable and renewable, making it one of the most sensible, environmentally friendly building products available today. Customers want what southem pine lumber has to off'er: strength, treatability, and beauty, not to mention outstanding value.

Some 68 billion bd. fi. of southern pine lumber was produced over the last five years. Nearly half goes to treated lumber markets for residential applications like decks, fences and gazebos and aquatic and marine structures. Untreated lumber used in structural applications-framing and trusses-calls for another third of total annual production. What remains is used for flooring, specialty patterns, and industrial applications like pallets and crates.

The Southern Forest Products Association helps lumber dealers with the tools and information they need to sell more southern pine. For nearly 100 years, SFPA has conducted a wide range of promotional programs and weathered every market downtum.

Southern pine manufacturers are responding to today's challenging market, delivering framing lumber in a wide range of grades and sizes, the newest preservative treatments, plus the most popular items in flooring, siding, ceiling and paneling patterns.

A Grade for Every Job

When it comes to residential construction, southern pine can be used for everything from building concrete forms to creating beautiful interior floors and ceilings. Lower grades may be appropriate for certain uses where appearance is not a priority. But when a customer's home is involved, both the contractor and the homeowner may be better satisfied with highergrade lumber for many applications.

Most important, the ProPer grade counts when using southern Pine in any application. SFPA offers a number of tools to help dealers, architects, specifiers, contractors and other pros ensure they have the right grade for the job. The place to start is the Southern Pine Use Guide, which includes grade descriptions, standard sizes, seasoning requirements, design values, and span tables. Separate publications list maximum spans for joists & rafters, plus headers and beams. SFPA's pocket span card remains a popular item for builders in the field.

All titles are available as free PDF downloads in the publications section of SouthemPine.com.

Inspiration for Remodelers

Southern pine products are ideally suited for projects all around the home. Repair and remodeling activity is generating some demand for building materials in this depressed market.

Homeowners are discovering that a wood floor adds comfort and value, not to mention being a healthier, allergy-free alternative to carpeting.

The look of real wood for wall Paneling and ceilings adds a dramatic flair to all rooms of the home while contributing to energy efficiencY. Southern pine patterns are readily available in long lengths to reduce splicing. Clear or semi-transparent finishes draw attention to southern pine's distinctive grain. In addition, wood is a natural insulator, contributing to the energy efficiency of a home.

Knowing proper installation and maintenance tips for interior patterns helps dealers sell more product. SFPA offers guides for both interior flooring and exterior porch flooring. Copies can be downloaded as PDFs from SouthernPine.com. A two-Part DVD program covers installation of both materials from start to finish. Dealers can also download a copy for their next employee training session (request AV80). They can watch both instructional programs on the site, too, right at their desktop. SFPA has three staff members, certified as installers by the National Wood Flooring Association. to answer any questions ( email help @ sout he rnpine.com ).

Treated Decks & Porches

The newest addition to SFPA's Lumber Library is a helpful construction guide that dealers can offer to professional deck builders and advanced d-i-yers. Southern Pine Decks & Porches highlights the beauty, durability, comfort and value that treated southern pine materials bring to outdoor structures. This l2-page booklet covers the deck and porch building process from start to finish.

Sections cover product selection, illustrated construction steps for building decks and porches, with tips on fasteners, finishes, and maintenance.

"This publication compiles the latest information for the proper specification and use of treated southern pine materials for code-compliant decks and porches," says SFPA's Russell Richardson. "Dealers and professionals already familiar with treated lumber can use this booklet as a refresher course in building techniques, or to acquaint a customer with the versatility and value of using real wood products for their new deck or porch," he adds. A free PDF download is available at SouthernPine.com.

Dealers can also use SFPA's new site- SouthernPineDecks.com- as a ready reference to answer questions about outdoor construction. The site offers much of the information contained in the new construction guide and generously refers to the American Wood Council' s Pre scriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide.

Dealers'Top Tool

Today, SouthernPine.com is a dealer's top resource for answers to customers' questions, training salespeople, and for locating product suppliers. Sourcing hard-to-find items can be just a few mouse clicks away. SFPA can send customers to dealers stocking southern pine products if those dealers are listed among the hundreds already within its online Product Locator. Signing up is free for dealers.

"A dealer's free listing on the Product Locator is a good first step to expanding a base of customers," notes SFPA's Russell Richardson, director of treated and industrial markets.

According to Richardson, "The most-viewed dealer listed on the Product Locator recorded over 40,000 visits during 2011. This company has entered multiple locations and keeps their products updated regularly. Simply by being listed on the Southern Pine Product Locator, a lumber dealer can gain significant exposure and benefit from all of SFPA's marketing activities."

Help 0n Call

In addition to its strength, beauty, environmental-friendliness, and availability. southern pine remains an attractive value compared to many other building materials. Dealers can invest in their future success by visiting SouthernPine.com to check out additional sales aids.

Copies of SFPA's technical and reference publications can also be downloaded from the site or visitors can order a "Lumber Library" CD that contains all SFPA publications.

If dealers, distributors or end-users have a question not answered online or in print, SFPA also offers a Help Desk that can be reached via email (help@southernpine.com) or phone, 604\ 443-4464.

Beauty of French Style

Alside's Promenade French-style sliding patio doors take up less space than traditional in-swings. Options include two-, three-, or four-panel configurations in white or beige, with a choice of decorative glass options and six handle styles.

T ALSIDE.COM

(800) 922-6009

Solar System for Shingles

CertainTeed's Apollo solar system integrates with roof shingles for a clean, seamless appearance in both new and retrofit applications.

Each slim, 12-lb. module has 14 polycrystalline silicon solar cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity.

Its lightweight design doesn't require structural reinforcement, yet resists wind uplift.

I CERTAINTEEDSOLAR.COM

(877) 596-0411

Recycled Insulation

Applegate's Cotton Armor insulation is made from 857o recycled denim and cotton fibers.

The environmentally friendly product is available in three R-values-R-13, R-19, and R-2 l-that also limit sound transmission.

I MRINSULATE.NET

(855) 626-8866

Fine Hardwood Windows

Pinnacle Select windows are crafted with select pine, alder, or Douglas fir by Windsor Windows. A thicker sash, wider stiles and rails, and mortise and tenon sash joints distinguish the line. Styles include vented and fixed casements, picture, transom, and awning windows.

I wooDGRAIN.COM

(800) 452-3801

Rugged Work Pants

Blaklader USA's X1600 work pants afc ruggcd. yct constructed of cornfbltable. grity cotton.

The pants have leg shielcls. culfs. iincl multiplc pockets ntadc tll' durirhlc. uhrirsion-r'esistunt Cordura. Scants arc triplestitched to prevcnt tcar-outs.

TBLAKLADERUSA.CoM

(800) 948-,i345

Crystal-Glear Views

Evolution aluminum windows from Crystal Window & Door allow largc, unobstructed views

In new construction and rcolacerne nl irpplicillion\.

Series 9(XX) tilts at thc roo and is hinged on thc sitlc ro swing in. 9100 is a fixccl picture window.

I CRYSTALWINDOWS.COM

(7 lti) 961,7300

Roof Sealant

GacoScamScal from Gaco Western is a siliconc-based. solvent-frce sealant fbr roofs that can be applied with a brush. trowel. rollcr. or piping bag.

Insteacl of kncelin-c down to apply tapc. installers can usc the seal to preparc rool's for a silicone coatrng.

T GACO.COM

(811) 699-1226

Reconfigured Deck Fasteners

Toploc stainless steel deck fasteners frurn TirnberTech have a tri-lobular design that rcduces compression. mushrooming. spinout. and cnd-spl ittin-u.

The collection comes in five colorsccdar. grey, rose wood. teak. ancl walnutto rnatch TirnbcrTct h's dcck ol lerings.

I TIMBERTECH.CoM

(8(X)) 307-7780

Stunning Steel Siding

The industry's first, fabricated, insulated steel siding Panel is the newest offering from Rollex.

Therman Pro is made from 29-gauge galvanized steel with a 4-mil-thick PVC finish and an insulating backer of solid, expanded polystyrene.

The product comes in six colors and three profiles-double 4", double 5", and double 5" Dutch lap-with R-values ranging from 2.20 to 2.63.

I ROLLEX.COM

(800) 251-3300

FSG-Gertified Doors

Masonite's Emerald Safe 'N Sound doors are made from wheat straw with no added ureaformaldehyde. Certified by FSC, the doors reduce sound transmission and

Versatile Golumn Wrap

Versatex now offers VersaWrap column cladding in a 4"x6" version.

The matte-finished PVC product reduces field cutting and eliminates mitering for perfectly aligned corners on every column. Friction-fit closures ensure a tight, professional fit over roughsawn structural posts.

I VERSATEX.COM

(724) 857-rnl

Universal has been a key supplier in Southern California for years. With the broadest lineup of lumber and specialty products in the area, it's no wonder why dealers look to UFP as a key supply partner.

Siding Insulation

Progressive Foam Technologies offers insulation for fiber cement, composite wood, and steel siding.

Fullback FC works with plank-style fiber-cement sidings, while Fullback CW is designed for composite-wood siding. Fullback S complements steel siding.

Installed between siding and sheathing or housewrap, the insulation can add up to R-3.0 to wall systems and counteract thermal bridging.

I FULLBACKFC.COM

(800) 860-3626

Low.Temp Roofing Underlayment

Blueskin roofing underlayment has been designed by Henry Co. for installation and performance in cold weather.

Unlike traditional underlayments that report- edly must be installed when temperatures are above 40", Blueskin can be used at temperatures as low as 14o.

I HENRY.COM

(800) 486-r278

Energy-Efficient Windows

EnergyCore fusion-insulated windows from Quanex Building Products are available in a wide range of profiles and frames.

New options include horizontal slider, tilt single-hung, sideload single-hung, and picture window designs for remodeling projects, tear-outs, and new constuction.

I QUANEX.COM

(7 13) 96r-4600

Natural Gedar Deck

Cascadia cedar decking from Terminal Forest Products offers low maintenance and natural beauty.

Made from 1007o renewable North American cedar, the product is environmentally friendly and resistant to decav and insects.

I TERMINALFoREST.COM

(604\ 1 r7-t200

UGLY SWEATER CONTEST marked r The Nlerdrant lihgazine r hnuary 2012

2ND GROWTH'S annual party (continued from prior page)'.

[1] Gavin Monis, Tianna Casn.

[2] Larry Christensen, Natalie Allen. [3] Christian Hereld, Jennifer Buford. [4] Chris Johnson, Carlos Lopez. [5]

Tony Campbell, Nick Lan. j6i

Dariny Sosa, Troy Huff. i7i Jarrett Deschenes. Rvan Lauterborn. [8] Jim Nicodemus, Frank Bader.

This beauty is a beast.

DOMESTIC SALES: Jerry Long, Michael Parrella, Janet Pimentel, Pete Ulloa, George Parden, Vince Galloway, Chris Hexberg, Matt Wright, Bert McKee, Joe McCarron.

INTERNATIONAL SALES: Nestor Pimentel.

Armadillo's super tough skin is permanently fused to a composite core made of 100% post-consumer recycled content. Its deepet richer color, is more realistic and more durable. Armadillo easily shrugs off scuffs, stains and resists fading and will provide years of great looking, l0w maintenance living.