Lumber
From IntFX
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[edit] Overview
Lumber is wood that has been cut into boards or other shapes for the purpose of woodworking or construction. Lumber is supplied either rough or finished. Rough lumber is the raw material for furniture making and other items requiring additional cutting and shaping. It is available in many species, usually hardwoods. Finished lumber is supplied in standard sizes, mostly for the construction industry, and is primarily one of a few needle-bearing species such as pine, hemlock, fir or spruce.[1]
[edit] Types of Lumber
1. Pressure treated wood is normally specified for the deck's framing systems. Wood commonly used in different aspects of a deck includes cedar, redwood or even mahogany. To ensure you have the proper wood type, length and size for different components be sure to consult your local building code for current specifications.
2.Pressure treated wood uses a chemical liquid that acts as a preservative that is forced into the wood through a pressurization process. This protects the wood from rotting and from deteriorating as a result of the harsh outdoor elements.
3.Cedar is great for deck floors or other deck accessories. It is great in that it naturally resists rotting and is known for its strength. Redwood is also used for spindles and flooring and is ideal in that it durable and has a beautiful rich color.
4.Joists, beams and posts which are important for framing require pressure treated wood. Deck flooring boards use pressure treated wood or can use composite materials or vinyl. Cedar, redwood, and mahogany are popular for deck floors. Woods range in price depending on strength, availability, and quality. Rim joists which are the outer joists normally need top grade pressure treated wood.
5.Railing posts should have pressure treated wood. Balusters or spindles use the same materials as railing posts but because they are not structural, they can also be made of cedar, redwood, composites or vinyl.[2]
[edit] Lumber Prices
1. CME Random Length Lumber Futures
2. Trade Unit 10,000 bd. ft. of random lengths 2x4s (8' to 20')
3. Point Descriptions 1 point = $.10 per 1,000 bd. ft. = $11 per contract
4. Contract Listing Seven months of January, March, May, July, September, and November.
5. Strike Price Interval N/A
6. Product Code
7. Clearing=LB
8. Ticker=LB
9. Limits $10.00 per thousand board feet above or below the previous day's settlement price. Expanded limits. See Rule 1702.D
10. Minimum Fluctuation Regular 0.10=$11.00[3] The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) publishes the framing lumber prices from Random Lengths and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Futures Price each week.[4]
[edit] Applications
1.SaferWood lumber is well suited for the complete range of exterior above ground construction projects. Most anything you would create with untreated wood can be built with superior fire safety using SaferWood exterior fire retardant treated wood. Typical applications include exterior decks, balconies, stairways, covered walkways,
2.open air roof systems, or stables. Fire retardant lumber also brings added safety to construction staging and scaffolding.
3.All common sizes of most construction species of lumber can be treated. All products are pressure impregnated with our exclusive treatment process, enhancing the fire safety of any structure. Douglas fir, western red cedar, and yellow pine are currently available and additional species will be added over time. In the U.S.,
4.SaferWood brand lumber meets or exceeds model building codes and is approved for military procurement.[5]
[edit] Supply/Demand
1.In the midst of one of the worst declines in housing construction in modern times, Western mills will face difficult lumber markets in 2008 before seeing signs of recovery in 2009, according to a new forecast issued by Western Wood Products Association.
2.Housing starts should to reach just 968,000 in 2008, less than half the total from three years ago and the worst year for new construction since World War II. Single-family starts will be off 60 percent from 2005 totals.
3.With more than 40 percent of lumber used annually in new home construction, lumber demand is expected to decline to 45.3 billion board feet this year. Demand for lumber has fallen by some 19 billion board feet compared to 2005 totals - a volume equivalent to what was produced by sawmills in the West that entire year.
4.Lumber production at Western mills is forecast to slip by 11.5 percent to 14.1 billion board feet this year. That volume would be the lowest since 1982, when just 13.7 billion board feet was produced in the West.
5.Mills in the South will produce 15.4 billion board feet, down 10.5 percent from estimated 2007 totals.
6.Imports, which were off nearly 20 percent last year, should decline another 17 percent to 15.3 billion board feet. Canadian lumber shipments - which represent more than 95 percent of U.S. imports - are expected to decline by 6 billion board feet from their peak in 2005.
7.Markets should begin to recover in 2009, with housing starts forecast at 1.17 million and lumber demand rising to 47.7 billion board feet. Production at Western mills should rise next year to 15 billion board feet, up 6 percent.
8."The slow recovery for housing and lumber markets should continue for the balance of this decade. "After this year, the worst should be behind us."
9.Lumber manufacturers in the 12 Western states and Alaska. Based in Portland, WWPA compiles lumber industry statistics and provides business information services to mills. The Association also delivers quality standards, technical and product support services to the industry.[6]
