Raw Materials

Now that several states have legalized the use of marijuana for some recreational and medical purposes, one of the biggest untapped markets for the cannabis plant itself — at least one variety — could be as a building tool.

The Canadian government has suggested it might drop its major international trade case against the U.S., if it gets a softwood lumber deal.

The North American Free Trade Agreement will probably be renegotiated successfully with only marginal changes, said a large majority of economists in a Reuters poll, despite the Trump administration's saber-rattling.

Fire, disease, logging — these are mortal enemies to most trees. Yet the lodgepole pine seems to thrive after disaster, and that is a bit of good news for Colorado's high country forests devastated by the mountain pine beetle.

The SBCA Capital Area Chapter invited Paul Jannke, with Forest Economic Advisors, to their January 24, 2018 chapter meeting to speak about the state of lumber in the United States.

Whether it’s roof trusses, wall panels or floor trusses, structural building components are framing solutions that require less labor to install and use wood fiber more efficiently. In essence, they are the perfect solution to address builder’s most significant pain points.

Editor’s Note: News below that David Emerson, Canada’s top softwood lumber negotiator, is stepping aside appears to be the final nail in the coffin for softwood lumber trade negotiations. It appears Canada has fully transitioned to a path of litigation.

While most construction productivity isn’t keeping pace, the use of cold-formed steel framing (CFS) can help speed construction time and cut costs to help multi-family projects meet demand and produce quality residences.

Prices paid for OSB (-13.0%), softwood lumber (-1.0%), and inputs to residential construction (-0.1%), all decreased in December, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday said it sent President Donald Trump the results of its probe into whether steel imports threaten U.S. national security, but declined to reveal any details of its recommendations.