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Dealers Report More Interest In Composite Lumber

Lumber dealers near lakes and beaches report an increased number of customers requesting a wmd-polymer composite decking material described as innovative and environmentally responsible.

Made from reclaimed grocery bags, shrink wrap, waste wood fiber from furniture manufacturers and used pallets, the decking material is said not to splinter, crack or rot. It contains no preservatives, has traction exceeding ADA standards and is highly resistant to moisture, insects and UV rays, according to information provided when it was exhibited at the Southern California Home & Garden Show in Anaheim, Ca., recently.

Jim Gregson, general manager of Rim Forest Lumb€r, Lake Arrowhead, Ca., considers the product, called Trex, a way to prevent deck damage caused by the mountain climate. "The extreme temperature changes, sometimes varying 40 to 50 degrees, make it really tough to keep a finish on a deck," he said.

Since it doesn't need a finish and stands up to weather, homeowners are using it to replace pressure treated deck boards and local builders are incorporating it into new home building plans as an option, he adds.

Private dock owners, after seeing it used on two or three boat slips at a Lake Arrowhead doclq are specifying the Mobil product. "The dock has been a great showcase for us," Gregson commented. "Dock builders who nay have been skeptical at first are pleased with how easy Trex is to work. It's machinable and versatile."

Environmental Specialties, Guasti (Ontado), Ca., a company specializing in recycled building products, has stocked Trex for about three months. "We're very excited about it for decking and the homeowner market," said owner Liz Head. The material is well suited to marine environments and cuffently is being used in Newport Beach, Ca., according to Head. The company also has supplied Trex decking for projects at l,ake Havasu, Az., to the Forest Service, Big Bear, Ca., and the Oregon Bureau of Land Management.

Ganahl Lumber Co., Anaheim, Corona and Garden Grove, Ca., also stocks Trex. Northward Industries, Temecula, Ca., uses the material for chairs, benches and picnic tables.

Penofin Joins Racing Circuit

Penofin -Performance Coatin g s Inc., Ukiah, Ca., is sponsoring Team Sacramento Racing, a professional Indy Light race team with driver Alex Padilla that has been featured on ESPN.

Other company-sponsored race cars include the Penofin Enduro Car, Christopher Miles driver, a competitor in the Ukiah Enduro Race. and the Penofin Mini Stock Car, Frank Howard driver. Penofin has a program in which customers can sponsor n@ cu events using co-op dollars.

Coast To Coast Tests Decor

Coast to Coast is experimenting with a "Paint & Decor Store" strategy that turns the paint deparunent into a signature deparEnent.

Six stores will test the concept which includes high-impact signage, decorating product displays, a wallpaper table, an infonnation kiosk and a premium line of exterior and interior paint. Boise, Id., Monroe, Wa., Ridgecrest and Jackson, Ca., stores are being converted to the program.