Lowe's CEO sees no end to plywood price increases (FREEPER HELP NEEDED)

Forbes ^

[The G Man]

ATLANTA, March 30 (Reuters) - The chief executive of home improvement retailer Lowe's Cos. (nyse: LOW - news - people) said on Tuesday that he does not expect plywood prices, which are up more than 100 percent in the past year, to decrease.

"I don't think you'll see plywood prices come back down," Robert Tillman told a New York consumer conference in remarks carried over the Internet. "The supply is now pretty well managed. There's not an oversupply. There are fewer manufacturers."

Tillman said prices of other wood may fluctuate.

Lumber prices, specifically plywood and other structural panels used in home construction, have doubled or tripled year-earlier values since at least last autumn, and both Lowe's and home improvement industry leader Home Depot

[Eric in the Ozarks]

We have OSB plywood sheeting over 2 X 6 framing on our house. We used pre-painted cementatious siding from Certainteed (Hardyboard is another brand of cement siding) and the same stuff in 4 X 8 sheets for the soffit. It was murder to put up, took a diamond saw to cut but won't chip or fade, according to the guarantee. We used blown in wet cellulose insulation in the walls and ceiling.

[Petronski]

You want the builder, I'm just trying to offer some help.



Do you like this stuff?

[AMDG&BVMH]

"Rebuild Iraq with good lumber and build the American homes with an artifical substitute! "

Amazing!

BTW, support your local tree farmer! We grow hardwood, on a small, family level. (Surprisingly, most tree farms are family operations). Since it is hardwood, we won't live to see the returns -- except the thinnings.

[tort_feasor]

I use to work at 84 Lumber and Home Depot.

The product you are asking about is rated as a sheathing. However if you are using vinyl siding on your house, if a thief brings a utility knife he can cut the siding, cut the sheathing and the insulation and be in your home in minutes. I was told this by the store manager at 84 Lumber who had 20 + years experience that this has actually happened. At least on the ground floor use 1/2 (7/16)" OSB.

[Gabz]

That makes 4 states :)

[Redcoat LI]

This stuff is fine for sheathing behind the facade,there are three grades,the top is rated structural.

As far as the vinyl goes,it is not a nailing surface you'll need solid sheathing for that,O.S.B will work,I don't like it,I would choose 1/2 B.C plywood,but that's just me.

The foam product has both an insulating and vapor barrier advantages,make sure that your insulation contractor knows that,he won't have to install a vapor barrier behind the insulation,and make sure he factors in the R-value differance into those areas,he can use less insulation.

The areas that are sheathed O.S.B will require a vapor barrier(plastic sheething stapled to the studs between the framed wall and the sheetrock).

What are they sheathing your roof with?

And with the O.S.B,make sure all edges are intact,and that it stays dry until it is enclosed.

For floor decking,if you contemplate putting in hardwood at some point,no O.S.B,it won't hold the staples.

[Gabz]

Some of the contractors we know around here are having a hard time staying within budgets on new home construction because of the cost of lumber.......

[Redcoat LI]

What I meant was that I am a Licenced Construction Supervisor.

[AngryJawa]

My suppliers are telling me that alot of this is blowback from the tariffs that GWB put on Canadian lumber. Couple that with historically high demand and all-time low production capacity and you get a real mess.

[Gabz]

What do you recommend for floor decking....that is what is currently holding up my project......

[Petronski]

Yes, and I just wanted to know if you kenw anything about this material he mentioned, because it sounded like a bad idea to me.

[Mr. Bird]

Yep, I hear that some builders are facing an average cost increase of $3-$5k per house, and they don't want to eat it. Unfortunately for them, many of these homes are already under contract.

[wolicy_ponk]

Nope, lumber going to Iraq is around 3% of what's availible.

The shortage/increases are due to a new construction slowdown forecast that never came true. Or, if you prefer a conspiracy angle, it could possibly be simple collusion between two of the largest manufacturers.

[dljordan]

I've always been fascinated with COB and Rammed Earth homes. I think I like the Rammed Earth better. They mix the earth with cement and compacted it using air-powered tampers. The stuff is thick and strong, kind of like a bunker. I like that idea.

[Gabz]

I'm open to any and all theories.....as I said, I have no knowledge of the veracity of what I was told, just passing it on as one possible explanatin.

I'm no expert and try to leave it to those that are!!!

[Redcoat LI]

3/4 Tongue and Groove Plywood,that's standard decking,there is O.S.B decking available,if you are just planning on carpet,but that limits you down the road for flooring options.

[Gabz]

Same here, and some even higher.

[VMI70]

"What the suppliers around here have told us is that the higher price is due to importation, not because of the enviros, but because domestic plywood is being used by the military and for the rebuilding in Iraq."

Exactly what I heard from a contractor down in NC last month.

[Fletcher J]

I'm not an expert, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night... :)

In addition, my father is a carpenter, and I've built several houses with him, including my own. I'm not an engineer or carpenter, so I don't want to over-sell my advice...

Based on the specs at the link you provided, this looks like a description of OSB (Oriented Sliver Board) to me. It never actually says they use wood, however. Maybe I've missed something.

Anyhow, if your wall studs and roof trusses are on 16 inch centers, this product appears to be fine. Make sure they use the Structural grade of the product. In addition, specify that they use plywood clips at the joints of the board between the roof trusses. This will help prevent sagging between the joists down the road, and the clips cost very little.

Fletcher J

[Fierce Allegiance]

I would suggest that at least the corners get real 4-ply cdx plywood, with the substitute sheathing for the remainder for the walls.

Must have at least OSB for the roof shealthing, 4-ply plywood preferred.

NEVER use less that 3/4 T&G real wood plywood for the floor underlaymnent