Raw Materials

USDA Secretary Urges Wood Construction

October 24, 2011

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has urged U.S. builders to prioritize wood in green buildings. He made the recommendation after the Forest Service concluded in a new report that using wood in building products yields fewer greenhouse gases than using common materials. 

Oct 14: Crow's Construction Materials Cost Index

October 24, 2011

Crow's Market Recap -- A condensed recap of the market conditions for the major North American softwood lumber and panel products as reported in Crow's Weekly Market Report (Oct 14).

Industry Coalition Offers Solution to Issue of Southern Pine Design Value Changes

October 21, 2011

At the ALSC meeting yesterday (Oct 20), a strong coalition made up of representatives from SBCA, NAHB, NAHB’s Building System Council, the Leading Builders of America, ABC, TPI and NLBMDA provided testimony discussing the potential ramifications of the proposed changes to Southern Pine Lumber design values and provided a wide variety of thoughts and perspectives.

ALSC Postpones Decision on Southern Pine Design Values

October 19, 2011

The American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) Board of Review announced in an email memo it would be delaying its decision regarding Southern Pine design values in order to hold an additional hearing in approximately 60 days.

Trade Groups Decry Proposed Southern Pine Values

October 17, 2011

Trade groups for lumberyards and makers of building components sounded the alarm Wednesday over a proposal to rate visually graded Southern pine, a mainstay in American construction, as being up to one-third weaker by some standards than it currently is regarded.

Lumber Dealers Concerned About Southern Pine Design Value Changes

October 17, 2011

Lumber dealers expressed serious concern over the potential impact of a proposal to lower the design value of Southern Pine lumber. 

SFPA’s Role in Communicating New Design Values

October 17, 2011

SFPA issued a press release outlining it's role in the review of southern pine design values.

FL Lumber Stamp Not Issued by ALS

October 17, 2011

The American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) issued a memo indicating that a lumber stamp recently observed in Miami, FL is not issued by an authorized ALS agency.

Southern Pine Potential Design Value Reductions - Impact on Light Frame Construction Market

October 13, 2011

The Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) and the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) recently announced a potential reduction of grade-marked Southern pine lumber design values for all structural end uses. For component manufacturers, there is value in immediately communicating with your customers how the potential changes may directly affect each business transaction, now and in the future.

SBCA Issues Response to SPIB and SFPA Regarding Southern Pine Design Value Reductions

October 10, 2011

In the past week, the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) and the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) have published notices regarding a potential reduction of grade-marked Southern Pine Lumber design values for all structural end uses.