Wholesalers and retailers spent much of January and February replenishing slim inventories.  This coupled with limited supply drove the wholesale cost of lumber up 33% compared to the same time last year.  Prices have leveled off recently but there is a feeling that if some of the bigger players start making large spring buys, prices could jump up again.  Stay tuned. 

The recent earthquake in Chile is going to cause some problems in the plywood area for the next 60-90 days.  Chile was a large exporter of plywood and the damage caused by the earthquake will pretty much halt plywood exports for the next couple months.  Wholesalers are now out of some of the thicknesses and domestic AC plywood has gotten very expensive and is in short supply as a result.  As mills see an opportunity to make some money making AC or UL plywood to make up for the lack of imports, they will take production out of regular CDX which will make that more expensive over the next couple months.  Bottom line is, check inventory before making commitments for jobs and check pricing and quotes as this situation plays out.

The folks at the SBC white cedar shingle mill continue to make improvements to their already fine product.  They are already the only mill that grades both faces and they already have the highest R&R standards and now they are the first to add a nailing line to their shingles.   The nail line is embossed on each shingle to provide and instant visual guide for fastener placement. 

We have a couple new items we'd like you to look at on your next trip to our stores.  We have an expanded assortment of patio blocks and retaining wall blocks.  We have changed our "cold patch" black top patch to a new product from Perma-Patch.  This item can be used year round under any weather conditions.  You can even fill pot holes that still have water in them!! 

We have a new type of primed pine available in South Dennis on a trial basis.  It is made from Radiata pine and has been treated against moisture and insects, has clear, virtually defect free faces, had no finger joints, is FSC certified, and is warranted for 30 years.  The product is called P5 and is ready for you to try now.  Let us know what you think of it.