Merchant Magazine July 2026 by 526 Media Group

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ENGINEERED WOOD SPECIAL ISSUE • WHAT’S COOKING IN MODIFIED WOOD • TREATED LUMBER

July 2026

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Volume 105 • Number 7

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------------| CONTENTS

July 2026

STAY CONNECTED ON SOCIALS:

VOL. 105 • NO. 7 |------------

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FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

08 ACROSS THE BOARD

14 26

FEATURE STORY What’s cooking in modified wood?

OLSEN ON SALES

Thermally modified timber—long a darling of Europe—comes of age in North America

TRANSFORMING TEAMS

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

24 MOVERS & SHAKERS

INDUSTRY TRENDS

Dealers can stand behind the new wave of marine-treated timbers

IN-DEPTH UPDATE:

ENGINEERED WOOD Partnering with APA – The Engineered Wood Association, The Merchant brings you its largest-ever update on engineered wood products and mass timber, including: • Residential construction outlook • DLT: Dowel-Laminated Timber • Expanding mass timber design toolkit • Mass timber in model codes • Rated concrete formwork • Structural glulam rim board • Latest EWP projects

42 NEW PRODUCTS 48 IN MEMORIAM 48 CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE 48 DATE BOOK 49 ADVERTISERS INDEX 50 FLASHBACK

THE VOICE OF LUMBER MERCHANTS AND BUILDING MATERIAL DEALERS & DISTRIBUTORS IN THE WEST — SINCE 1922

ENGINEERED WOOD SPECIAL ISSUE • WHAT’S COOKING IN MODIFIED WOOD • TREATED LUMBER

July 2026

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------------| ACROSS THE BOARD

IF THEY HAD ONLY COME ONE MORE TIME ------------ BY PATRICK ADAMS I DON’T BELIEVE there is such a thing as an easy business. Anyone who owns one knows the image of country club lunches, afternoons on the yacht, and the stress of deciding which exotic car to drive is mostly fantasy. The reality is far less glamorous. It’s long days, sleepless nights, adapting, improvising, and persevering through challenges you never saw coming. And that’s just the physical toll. The mental weight follows you home every night and shows up at every family dinner, vacation, holiday and life event. So when a business closes after a long and successful run, it always causes me to reflect. I believe there is something to learn from every experience, whether it mirrors your own life or not. For nearly 20 years, one of my favorite restaurants has been right around the corner. The owner became a friend over the years. Long ago, he and two partners left secure jobs to pursue a vision, a passion, and a dream. From the day they opened until their final day this past Saturday, every detail was exceptional. Every meal felt like the first time. The menu evolved beautifully over two decades. The service never slipped. Most impressive was my friend’s presence. Night after night, year after year, he greeted guests, remembered names, and somehow made every customer feel like they were the most important person in the room. In Southern California, there is certainly no shortage of dining options. But I’ve always believed in supporting small businesses that genuinely care. We celebrated birthdays there. Anniversaries. Company dinners. Countless special occasions. Then, two weeks ago, I received notice that our annual company holiday reservation would need to be canceled. No explanation. A few days later, my friend invited us to dinner on Saturday. When I walked through the door, it felt like opening night all over again. The dining room was overflowing. Every private room was packed. The patio was full. The bar was standing room only. There was a line out the front door. When he came over to greet us, everything felt normal at first. The same hug. The same warm smile. The same kiss on the cheek for my wife. Then he leaned in and quietly said, “I’m sorry, brother. I couldn’t make it work anymore. We have to close. Tonight is our last night.”

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A lifetime of sacrifice. Twenty years of passion. Thousands of 12-hour days. All summarized in a single sentence spoken over the noise of a crowded room. I looked around and asked the obvious question: “How?” The answer hit harder than I expected. Once word got out that they were closing, every night looked exactly like this one. Full dining rooms. Long waits. Loyal customers returning one final time to say goodbye. Then he said something I’ll never forget. “If they had only come one time a month, things might have been different.” That is the part that has stayed with me. We often don’t appreciate things until they’re gone. We assume the businesses, people and institutions that have always been there will somehow always remain there. But every day brings new challenges. Costs rise. Competition grows. Markets shift. The pressure never stops. And too often, support arrives only after the outcome has already been decided. The truth is that community isn’t built during the farewell tour. It’s built in the ordinary days. It’s built when we intentionally support one another during the good times and the hard times. It’s built when we choose to do business with people we believe in. It’s built when we recognize that behind every company logo is a family, a dream, and years of sacrifice. I often describe this industry as a family. Families celebrate together when things are good, but they also show up when things are difficult. They support one another before the crisis, not just after it. Maybe that’s the lesson. Don’t wait until someone is leaving to tell them how much they mattered. Don’t wait until the doors are closing to become their best customer. Don’t wait until support no longer changes the outcome. The people and businesses that make our communities and industries special need us today. As always, it is a privilege to serve you and this great industry. And if this story reminded me of anything, it’s that the strongest communities aren’t built by words of support after the fact. They’re built by actions taken while they can still make a difference. PATRICK S. ADAMS, Publisher/President padams@526mediagroup.com building-products.com

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------------| FEATURE STORY

UFP FORGEWOOD SIDING

KEBONY BLACK CLADDING

WHAT’S COOKING IN MODIFIED WOOD? ------------ BY DAVID KOENIG MODIFIED WOOD is clearly going mainstream, as more species, more applications, more treatments, and more producers enter the category. Here are the latest:

Thermory USA Thermory USA has partnered with Saferwood by Chemco to create a new category for exterior building materials: ignition-resistant, Class A thermally modified, fire retardant-treated wood. FRT pine is already in stock, with FRT ash on the way. “This was a big need we identified in wildfire-prone markets, and we are proud that we can now meet this need,” noted marketing director Meg Hartman.

The company also just launched the Luik, a premium line of sauna kits that incorporate CLT for additional insulation, wrapped in thermally modified wood. The first batch is selling out quickly to both residential customers and commercial spas, hotels and resorts. Other thermally modified wood products in the pipeline include 1x8 and 2x3 spruce Board & Batten, 4x4 pine posts, additional species, and more.

UFP Edge ForgeWood is a perfected thermally modified wood siding made from poplar. It’s put through an all-natural preservation process and tempered to remove moisture and natural sugars, making it durable, dimensionally stable, lightweight and resistant to rot and fungal decay. ForgeWood is available in end-matched tongue-andgroove nickel gap with 1x4 inch matching trim or Edge’s primed exterior trim and comes in a variety of natural and two-tone finishes. It is available in 1x6 and 1x8 nominal widths and random lengths of 11 to 16 ft., backed by a 20-year limited warranty.

Kebony Addressing the demand for darker finishes, the new Black Kebony Cladding features a deep black stain that still allows the wood’s character to show through. The deep black stain plays a major role in how the house interacts with its environment. “The deep black wood absorbs light instead of reflecting it,” Mecklenburg explains. “This creates a contemplative effect that fits perfectly into the forest landscape.”

SICARO FORTIFIED WOOD

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building-products.com

KLAASWOOD VERTICAL GRAIN

Beyond aesthetics, Kebony Character is selected for performance. The material offers excellent durability and dimensional stability, helping support long-term exterior use with minimal movement over time. It’s backed by a 30-year warranty, and its stability can also help finishes remain consistent and durable for longer maintenance intervals.

Sicaro Biotanex unveiled an entirely new category of modified wood: fortified timber. Branded Sicaro, the product is different from thermally modified or acetylated wood. It infuses a water-based resin with pressure; the resin locks into the cell walls of the wood (hardening it) and the heat cures it into the wood permanently. Sicaro is also pre-oiled and pre-machined into decking, siding or other finished products, ready to install. Sicaro offers ASTM-E84 Class A fire performance without the need for any additional treatment, Class 1 durability, a 55-year above-ground warranty, and outstanding insect resistance. “Sicaro takes renewable, sustainable plantation timber and fortifies it, locking in all performance attributes throughout the product. This process is irreversible; the finish endures for the product’s lifespan, so you get the look and performance of a premium tropical hardwood without cutting one down in the rainforest,” explained Sicaro USA owner Paul Duncan. It is distributed in the U.S. by Lee Roy Jordan Lumber Co., Dallas, Tx.

Klaaswood Klaaswood just launched a line of vertical grain southern yellow pine products. Architectural-grade building-products.com

MAXIMO PRE-FINISHED

Klaaswood Modified Vertical Grain Pine speaks to the aesthetic desire architects and designers are looking for, with consistent grain patterns throughout each piece of wood, while also providing higher natural durability and performance through the quarter-sawn cut. It features offers a 25-year warranty.

Maximo Wood Maximo has introduced its Pre-Finished line for both Maximo Thermo and Maximo Accoya, featuring advanced factory-applied finishing technology for consistent color, refined texture, and long-term surface protection. All products are backed by a 20-year warranty for both interior and exterior applications

Amble Wood Co. This year, Amble Wood Co. has been concentrating on education—helping dealers, architects and contractors understand modified wood and the differences in durability class, warranty, certification and finish. “Modified wood is showing up everywhere now— windows, doors, decking, siding—and the range of species and the ways they’re modified has exploded,” said president Chad Amble. “That’s exciting, but it’s exactly why education matters more than ever: getting the right product specified and installed correctly is what separates a great project from a callback.” His company believes modified wood is the technology of today and tomorrow. He said, “It’s sustainable, available in a range of species, backed by a warranty, and can be finished with custom textures and stains. Put all that together, and you’ve got a product that works for the architect, the contractor, and—most important—the customer.” MM July 2026

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------------| INDUSTRY TRENDS

TMT PRODUCER makes the case for North American standards and association representation for thermally modified wood. (Photo ThermalWood Canada)

THERMALLY MODIFIED TIMBER COMES OF AGE IN NORTH AMERICA ------------ BY BOB LENNON THE STRONGEST FORCE driving demand for thermally modified timber (TMT) is simple: people almost always prefer wood. The phenomenon, known as biophilia, reflects people’s innate tendency to seek connections with nature in the built environment. However, the challenge for natural wood has always been meeting durability and dimensional stability requirements for demanding applications without relying on environmentally questionable sourcing alternatives or chemical preservatives. Thermally modified timber addresses those challenges. Produced from responsibly managed forest resources, TMT greatly improves durability and dimensional stability, while retaining and enhancing the natural beauty of wood. At the center of TMT’s global success is ThermoWood, a process which represents the largest aggregate volume of thermally modified timber produced worldwide. Developed and commercialized during the 1990s in Europe, ThermoWood is both a modification method and a quality system, administered by the International ThermoWood Association (ITWA) based in Finland. Supported by decades of scientific research, documented producer audits, testing, and field-performance data, ThermoWood represents the gold standard for TMT, the benchmark against which other methods are often measured. As demand for the category grows, greater transparency and clearer benchmarks will benefit the industry. While a growing number of producers market TMT, North America lacks adopted standards that allow architects, distributors, builders and homeowners to easily compare one process with another. Products manufactured using fundamentally different methods are often lumped together despite significant differences in process, audits, testing history, and documented performance.

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To address this, the National Hardwood Lumber Association has convened a task force of producers, researchers and technical experts to develop the first North American standards for thermally modified wood. Testing is underway on products from a variety of systems—both open-system and closed-system technologies—to establish consistent benchmarks for performance, classification, and verification. To strengthen the visibility and shared understanding of the brand across North America, a group of regional members, together with participating ITWA members worldwide, are working to establish an official North American chapter of ITWA, representing Canada, the U.S., and interested international partners. Under the proposed framework, this group would focus on marketing, education, outreach and supply chain development, while ITWA retains responsibility for research, certification, quality systems, and trademark governance. The chapter’s membership model would span the full value chain—producers, secondary processors, distributors, retailers, partners, architects, designers, and international associates—ensuring that every stakeholder has a role in shaping the future of the industry. North America cannot afford to let TMT grow faster than the standards and education surrounding it. As adoption expands, the industry needs a clear, verifiable framework so architects, builders and consumers can distinguish reliable products from inconsistent ones and specify the material with confidence. Standardization will not limit the market; it will unlock it by reducing confusion, improving accountability, and making thermally modified wood easier to trust at scale. MM – Bob Lennon is president of ThermalWood Canada, Bathurst, N.B. (www.thermalwoodcanada.com). building-products.com

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------------| PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

DEALERS CAN STAND BEHIND THE NEW WAVE OF MARINE TREATED TIMBERS ------------ BY LARRY LIZOTTE MANY LUMBER dealers and wholesalers have carved out a niche by offering treated marine timbers for docks, seawalls, bridges and other waterfront structures. But as environmental scrutiny continues to intensify across the construction industry, suppliers who understand the green advantages of today’s treated marine timbers are better positioned to answer customer concerns, counter outdated misconceptions, and capitalize on growing demand for resilient, long-lasting building materials.

A History of Success and Sustainability Treated timbers have been the foundation for marine piers, docks and structures since the early 1800s. Marine timbers give waterfront construction projects a more natural look that can’t be achieved with alternative materials. Wood is a natural renewable resource essentially grown by the sun’s energy. With climate change being a hotly debated issue, trees inherently help reduce carbon dioxide C02 in the atmosphere. Trees absorb C02 and convert it into oxygen. A typical fully grown tree can absorb around 21 kilograms of CO2 per year and produce as much as 90 lbs. of oxygen per day. Trees utilized in the treated timber industry are among the highest producers of oxygen. Alternative materials such as concrete, steel and plastic produce CO2 in their manufacturing process. Addition-

MARINE GRADE spray polyurea encapsulates treated pilings to protect them and prevent preservatives from migrating into the environment. (Photo courtesy Thunderbolt Wood Treating)

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ally, plastic products degrade in the marine environment, producing microplastics which are consumed by marine life causing a toxic effect that works its way through the entire food chain.

Best Management Practices The treated wood industry has taken important steps to address environmental concerns about treated timbers. Best management practices (BMPs) are recommended guidelines for the production and installation of preserved wood for use in, near or over water. They were developed by organizations through a consensus process, based on research and a core philosophy of chemical minimization. BMPs for treating processes are separate from and in addition to the product standards. They address the environmental issues from treating plant through transportation, handling, inspection, storage, installation, demolition, maintenance and disposal of the treated products. Using the correct wood preservative is an important part of the BMP process. There are a variety of preservatives and treated wood products approved for use in or above aquatic and wetland environments.

An Extra Layer of Protection In 2020, the American Wood Protection Association Standards added spray-applied barrier systems for waterborne preservatives. These systems are designed to contain the waterborne preservatives in pressure-treated piles, poles and timber used in aquatic applications. Prior to the AWPA Standards, many inadequate processes and materials were used. There were no guidelines for physical property specification, material requirements, or the correct processing methods. According to the Standard, qualified spray-applied systems greatly minimize environmental contamination. Independent studies at Oregon State University have shown that spray-applied barrier systems are effective at preventing wood preservatives from leaching into the aquatic environment. The OSU study concluded that coating ACZA-treated marine pilings with Specguard’s SL08 spray polyurea “completely inhibited the migration of copper zinc and arsenic.” Similar studies conducted at Mississippi States University showed comparable results. The science confirms: even in marine environments, treated wood is an environmentally sound material. MM – Larry Lizotte is sales director for the Specguard Coatings Division of Marine Fenders International (specguard.us.com). building-products.com

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------------| OLSEN ON SALES

WORKAHOLICS AMONGST US ------------ BY JAMES OLSEN WE MUST COMPETE to sell. I am always surprised working with salespeople who don’t want to compete. They are what I call “quotron units” or “product presenters.” The phrase “It sells itself” should be stricken from the vocabulary and more importantly from the mentality of every professional seller. We should replace this illusory phrase with the more appropriate “If it’s to be it’s up to me” or my favorite: “If we don’t sell, we don’t eat.”

Less Is More Give me a salesperson with a little less personality, smoothness or charisma but with a bit more determination every time. I recently spoke with a brilliant salesman. He is one of the most likable, charismatic people I have ever worked with. He is one of the best sellers, at the moment of close, that I have ever met. I have sold side-by-side with this guy—he is great in front of the customer. His problem is that he doesn’t want to prospect. “If I could just hire someone to set up the appointments for me…” This salesperson, in spite of his enormous talent, is producing well below his potential because he lacks the discipline to prospect on a consistent basis. To be successful in sales we must be half gunslinger and half farmer. What do I mean? Our gunslinger is our closer. Our gunslinger is our person who can communicate with many different kinds of personalities. Our gunslinger is the one who can respond on the fly. Our farmer is the one who shows up every day and completes the steps of the sales process with discipline. It is rare to find both traits in one person. That’s why most of us have to work at being great salespeople.

Pareto and Workaholics Pareto’s Principle states that 80% of everything in any competitive activity goes to 20% of the people involved in that activity. Eighty percent of the fish are being caught by 20% of the fishermen. Eighty percent of the baskets in the NBA are scored by 20% of the players; 20% of the flower shops in your town are selling 80% of the flowers. Given that sales is a competitive field, 80% of the business is going to 20% of the salespeople. Who are those 20%? “Natural” superstars make up a small portion of this group. The “naturals” do exist. There is a segment of peo-

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ple who are naturally great sellers. They are about one in 60. We then have the “man-made naturals.” These are the professionals who have studied the game of sales and worked on their skills until they are as good as or better than the naturals. The “man-made naturals” get another portion of the business. Then we have the workaholics. Their technique isn’t necessarily better than the rest, although they do build their skills faster than the salesperson who works less because they get a lot more practice. The real strengths of the workaholic are time and determination. If the average salesperson works 40 hours a week (it’s less), the average workaholic is working 60 hours a week. Assuming closing percentages are the same, the workaholic will get 50% more of the business! This assumes a portioned awarding of orders. In many “all or nothing” sales environments, the percentages will be even more slanted to the workaholic.

Balance, Skill Development, & Intensity Are we destined to mediocrity if we are not a “natural” or a workaholic? Yes, if we don’t change. I believe in balance. Life is more than getting the order. But I am not in denial about who I am competing against. The very talented, very dedicated, and the overly dedicated are getting 80% of the business. Do we have to work 60 hours a week to compete with the workaholics? No. But we will have to be disciplined and intense in our work day. We will have to work on our sales skills. We also have to be engaged while we are working. Showing up for 35-40 hours a week will put us in the bottom 80%. We must compete. We must work on our sales techniques and disciplines to be the top 20%—where sales is fun and profitable. MM

JAMES OLSEN James Olsen is principal of Reality Sales Training, Portland, Or., and creator of SellingLumber.com. Call him at (503) 544-3572 or email james@realitysalestraining.com.

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2026-2027 PRODUCT CERTIFICATES ARE OUT NOW. SCAN THE QR CODE. PREMIUM PRODUCTS. UNRIVALED SERVICE. IT’S WHAT WE DO. building products.com | Final Image: DMA+DBI. Western Woods is a trademark of Western Woods, inc. ©2026. Original Image Credit: Lubos-Chlubny-stock.adobe.com Image is a representation of what customers can achieve with Western Woods products, but does not feature actual product..

July 2026

• the merchant magazine • 17

------------| TRANSFORMING TEAMS

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS USE THE F.R.I.E.N.D. FRAMEWORK ------------ BY NICHOLAS RITCHIE CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS can be incredibly challenging. The stakes are high, opinions differ, and the outcome is almost always uncertain. Any one of those is uncomfortable, and many critical conversations involve all three together. This is why most people’s first instinct is to avoid them. The cost of that avoidance is real and tangible: tensions rise, teams fracture, and issues that needed addressing don’t disappear. Avoidance doesn’t resolve the situation; it usually makes it much worse. The Workplace Advisors works with organizations every day to navigate precisely this type of conflict. Founder and CEO Claudia St. John developed a framework that we find ourselves returning to over and over again, whether it’s coaching a leader through a tough conversation or helping a team work through a breakdown. The acronym is F.R.I.E.N.D., which is something we could certainly use when navigating conflict in the workplace.

F: Find Your Due North Before beginning the conversation, take a second to consider what you’re trying to accomplish. What does a good outcome look like? Without clarity, the conversation has the potential to get hijacked by emotions, by tangents, and by the other party’s agenda. Due north does not have to be a full resolution. Often, it’s simply, “I want to find out how we navigate these situations better moving forward.” Or, “Can we talk about how we talk about this topic?” Both are perfectly valid places to start. If you aren’t sure what you want out of the conversation, it may be worth waiting until you do. It’s also important to remember that knowing your due north isn’t just about getting what you want; it’s about

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protecting the relationship. Conversations that turn into debates rarely end with both parties better off.

R: Ready Your Emotions If you’re angry, hurt, hot, or anxious going into a conversation, it is unlikely to go well. When our fight, flight, or freeze instincts are activated, we become defensive, combative, or shut down emotionally. None of these lead anywhere productive or toward a solution, but it is also important to understand that this can be very challenging to consciously control. So, the best advice is to check in with yourself—if you’re feeling emotional in any way, delay the conversation. And the same can be said for the other party. If they’re running hot, it is probably not the right time for a conversation. The ultimate goal isn’t to suppress your feelings, but instead to make sure your feelings are helping the conversation rather than driving it off the road. In practice, readying your emotions might mean sleeping on it before initiating a conversation, taking a walk to clear your head, writing out what you’d like to say before you say it, or talking it through with a trusted person first. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; the point is to give yourself enough space between the emotions and the conversation that you’re able to respond instead of react.

I: Inspect the Stories You’re Telling Yourself Humans are exceptionally talented at making up stories. We fill in gaps with assumptions about what happened, why it happened, what the other person intended, and what they think of us. We then treat those stories as cold hard facts. The reality is that until you building-products.com

check those stories, you’ve manufactured them completely. They exist in your head and your head alone. Before and during the conversation, be sure to examine your assumptions. This may mean taking a few minutes to reflect, or literally naming your assumptions out loud. “The story I’m currently telling myself is… Is that accurate?” A willingness to question your own narrative creates an opportunity for you to actually hear what the other person is saying, and often leads to a very different—and much more positive—conclusion. It’s also worth noting that this step doesn’t end when the conversation begins. If you find yourself becoming reactive midway through the conversation, that’s your signal to pause and check your stories again.

E: Establish Safety A successful critical conversation requires the right conditions. From a physical safety standpoint, is there privacy? Is this a place where we can speak in candor? That said, psychological safety matters just as much. Does the other person feel like they can be honest? Are they rushed into a conversation, caught off guard, or in a setting where they feel exposed? If people don’t feel physically or psychologically safe, they will not show up openly to the conversation, and you will find it difficult to come to an agreement. If the conditions aren’t suitable for a conversation, it’s okay to say so. Delaying a conversation is not the same as avoiding the conversation. Change the setting, propose a different time, or consider bringing in a neutral third party to help facilitate the conversation. Getting the conditions right for a critical conversation requires effort.

N: Navigate Their Stories Navigating the other person’s story is where active listening skills must take over. The goal is not to listen to respond but rather to genuinely understand where the other person is coming from. Ask rich, open-ended questions, then continue to dig

Q. We pay our employees for the major holidays when we are closed. Does holiday pay need to be counted toward overtime for non-exempt employees? A. No, holiday pay does not need to be counted toward

hours worked when determining if a non-exempt employee is owed overtime. Overtime is for time the employee works or other compensable time (such as certain travel time) within the established seven-day workweek. Noncompensable time, such as vacation, sick leave, holiday pay, and bereavement time, does not need to be included in that calculation unless your company voluntarily chooses to count it. For example, if an employee works 33 hours and receives eight hours of holiday pay, they would be paid for 41 hours at their regular hourly rate. However, if they work 42 hours and receive eight hours of holiday pay, they would be paid 48 hours at the regular rate and 2 hours at time-and-a-half (assuming state overtime laws follow FLSA).

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with more questions: • “Tell me more about that.” • “How did that make you feel?” • “What does that lead you to conclude?” • “What would you like to see handled differently?” Most disagreements are as much about assumed intentions as they are about actions, but the problem is we rarely know what someone’s intentions are without asking. When you take the time to navigate someone else’s story, you may discover that their true intentions weren’t what you assumed at all. A colleague who missed a deadline may not have been disengaged but instead may have been overwhelmed and unsure how to ask for help. A teammate who seems checked out may be dealing with something you’re not aware of. Understanding the intention behind the action doesn’t mean excusing it, but it does change the conversation. That’s when real resolution becomes possible.

D: Develop Common Ground Now, to move forward. What has been agreed upon? What will each person do differently in the future? Where do things go from here? Common ground doesn’t always mean full agreement, and that’s okay. Sometimes the outcome is a shared understanding of the disagreement and a commitment to keep talking. Partial progress is still progress. What matters is that both parties leave with a clear sense of what comes next. From a practical standpoint, documentation is always a good idea. Even a brief follow-up note summarizing what was discussed, what was agreed upon, and what the next steps are goes a long way. It creates clarity, reduces the chances of “that’s not what I thought we said,” and provides a record if the issue resurfaces down the road.

Moving Forward With the right framework, critical conversations don’t have to be dreaded. They become one of the most effective tools you have for building better relationships, resolving conflict, and creating workplaces where people can actually talk to each other. Applied consistently, F.R.I.E.N.D. doesn’t just make hard conversations easier; it makes teams stronger. MM – This article is based on the F.R.I.E.N.D. Framework developed by Workplace Advisors founder and CEO Claudia St. John.

NICHOLAS RITCHIE Nicholas Ritchie is a recruiter with The Workplace Advisors. Reach him at contact@theworkplaceadvisors.com.

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J&W LUMBER ACQUIRED BY DECKS & DOCKS ager, “The partnership provides access to additional resources and opportunities for growth, but there are no immediate changes planned to our existing product offerings or customer experience.” Clyde Jennings noted, “My dad Charley founded J&W almost 70 years ago with a focus on personalized customer service and promoting talent from within. My team and I have gotten to know Decks & Docks quite well, and we’re confident we have found a great partner for us to continue J&W’s proud legacy of doing right by our customers and providing our employees with opportunities. Today marks a new development for us but in practice it is a continuation of J&W’s values and longstanding way of doing business.” Founded in 1991, Decks & Docks is known as a one-stop shop for contractors, offering a comprehensive suite of products such as composite decking, railings, pilings and vinyl seawall. It operates 76 locations across 24 states, shipping domestically and internationally. The Jennings family also owns a wholesale division, CJ Redwood. “This partnership will not impact its operations,” said Rozalyn Jennings. “CJ Redwood will continue to operate as it does today, serving its customers and partners with the same products and service they have come to expect.”

Decks & Docks Co., a leading specialty distributor of composite decking and outdoor living building products, has acquired J&W Lumber, Escondido, Ca. J&W’s six Southern California retail locations give Clearwater, Fl.-based Decks & Docks its first facilities on the West Coast. J&W owner Clyde Jennings will continue leading the company, which will retain the same brand name its customers have known and trusted since the company’s founding in 1958. J&W’s entire team will remain with the company to ensure continuity of service and personalized care for customers at each location. “J&W has a long history of operational excellence and providing its customers with the products they need to get the job done right,” said Shawn Roberts, CEO of Decks & Docks. “We are thrilled to welcome Clyde and his dedicated team into the Decks & Docks family and believe their highly complementary outdoor building products offerings and reputation for providing exceptional customer service will be essential to helping us expand across the country.” J&W offers premium outdoor building materials including decking, railing and accessories throughout Southern California. According to Rozalyn Jennings, J&W’s inside/outside sales man-

HACIENDA COMPLETES RENOVATIONS

Cousins Gary and Joe Sanchez took over the now-two-store operation in 2015 and have revitalized the business.

Hacienda Home Centers held a grand reopening celebration May 8-9 to show off its renovated headquarters location in Espanola, N.M. Festivities included a ribboncutting, vendor demos from brands like Echo and Diablo, and a live radio broadcast. A member of Do it Best, Hacienda also operates a location in Las Vegas, N.M. Hacienda Home Centers was founded in 1975 in Espanola by brothers Felix and Robert Sanchez, to be joined soon after by younger brother Leroy Sanchez. They expanded to six locations across New Mexico, before big-box competition forced them to downsize.

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BFS BUYS IDAHO’S PRECISION DESIGN & TRIM

Builders FirstSource acquired Precision Design & Trim, Nampa, Id., an installation business serving the Boise market. Founded in 2006 by Eric Brant and Frank Knight, Precision provides finish work for new home construction in the Treasure Valley. “This acquisition expands our installation capabilities and strengthens our presence in the Boise area,” said Peter Jackson, BFS president and CEO.

uly 2026

------------| INDUSTRY BRIEFS Parr Lumber, Newberg, Or., went viral when video was captured of the crew assisting a hot-air balloon make an emergency landing in its yard on June 5. Ace Retail Group will add a new 17,000-sq. ft. Westlake Ace Hardware in University Place, Wa., with a soft opening anticipated for early 2027. Home Depot opened a new location June 18 in Buckeye, Az. ABC Supply added a branch in Sandy, Ut. (Nicolas Vazquez, mgr.). Western Window Systems, Phoenix, Az., rebranded as Western Architectural Openings. WS Building Materials, Denver, Co., is now distributing TYPAR weather-protection products throughout Colorado. Paladin Data Corp., Mesa, Az., acquired CyberBOS, Omaha, Ne., a point-of-sale and business management platform for the LBM industry. Paladin will continue supporting CyberBOS solutions. Canfor Corp., Vancouver, B.C., agreed to purchase PinkWood’s I-joist business in Calgary, Alb., for $68 million. Sierra Forest Products

parent UCS Forest Group, Mississauga, Ont., is officially rebranding as Spitz Group.

Fortune Brands initiated a strategic review of its Fiberon composite decking business. MITER Brands received Voluntary Protection Program certification from OSHA for its Milgard Windows & Doors

manufacturing facility in Tacoma, Wa., and Western Window Systems in Phoenix, Az.

Sansin Corp. is offering up to 15 years of coating performance coverage on Accoya wood products when finished using Sansin’s Precision Coat KP-System. LBM Advantage launched the LBM Advantage Women’s Alliance, designed to foster connection, professional development, and leadership opportunities for women across the co-op’s membership. H&L Lumber Co., Oakhurst, Ca., celebrated its 40th anniversary with a parking lot party June 6 at sister store Bryant’s Ace Hardware, Oakhurst.

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THE POSSIBILITIES KEEP GROWING:

REDWOOD Nature’s majestic pillars. dwood iis so on ne o off tth he s sttrongest a an nd ffa as t e s t g grrowing s so oftwood spe spec cies. It thrives in Re Red some of the most productive timberlands in the world. Redwood is known for its timeless durability without the use of chemicals. Due to its flawless formation, there has never been a Redwood recall. There is a grade of Redwood for every application, every budget, and every customer.

“Growing beyond measure.” Call or visit us today. Our family of Redwood timberland owners will continue to be your reputable and reliable source of Redwood.

Call us at 707.894.4241 Visit us at buyRedwood.com

TRIMJOIST added a 56,000-sq. ft. facility in Kuna, Id., to meet demand for high-efficiency framing solutions.

FIELD-TRIMMABLE floor joists produced in Idaho offer western builders improved lead times and mechanical/electric/plumbing integration.

TRIMJOIST OPEN-WEB FLOOR SYSTEM NOW SCALED FOR WESTERN MARKETS Trimjoist, Boise, Id., a leader in engineered wood products, has optimized its manufacturing and distribution to provide convenient availability of the TrimJoist floor system across the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West and California. Leveraging its 56,000-sq. ft. in Kuna, Id.—launched in 2024, Trimjoist is meeting the increasing demand for high-efficiency framing solutions that reduce jobsite friction. The TrimJoist system is the industry’s first openweb, field-trimmable floor joist, designed to bridge the gap between traditional I-joists and floor trusses. • On-Site Adjustability: Each joist features a trimmable end, up to 12" on each side, allowing for accurate trimming in the field that may be required due to foundation or wall measurements that vary from the drawings. • Integrated MEP Pass-Throughs: The open-web design eliminates the need for labor-intensive drilling or cutting for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) runs which maintains structural integrity and accelerates the construction schedule. • Western-Sourced Materials: Production at the Idaho facility utilizes Douglas fir lumber, ensuring the product is tailored to the specific structural requirements and material preferences of western builders. The expansion of Trimjoist’s western manufacturing operation strengthens product availability and shipping efficiency across the Western U.S., providing: • Predictable Supply: Modular lengths manufactured to inventory help provide consistent availability and support tight multi-family and residential schedules. • Cost-Effective Shipping: Regional production reduces transportation distances and helps lower freight costs. • Domestic Manufacturing: All products are manufactured 100% in the United States, supporting a more stable and transparent supply chain. Trimjoist is a third-generation manufacturer carrying forward a family legacy of joist innovation. What

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began with the development of truss manufacturing by the Sanford family evolved into the invention of the TrimJoist, the first open-web, field-trimmable floor joist. Today, with production facilities in Mississippi and Idaho, Trimjoist continues to build on that heritage, proudly manufacturing in the USA and delivering products and support to the construction industry.

HARDWOOD GRADING SHORT COURSE COMING TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Highland Lumber & Mill is hosting National Hardwood Lumber Association’s three-day intro to hardwood lumber grading course Aug. 26-28 at its new location in Fullerton, Ca. Led by NHLA instructor Roman Matyushchenko, the course will help professionals build new skills, deepen their knowledge, and advance their careers. The training is ideal for all lumberyard, sales, office and managment-level personnel. Topics include grading fundamentals, yield improvement, quality control, and more. Register with steveb@highlandlumber.com. Space is limited. For more than 125 years, the NHLA Grading Rules have defined the standard for consistent, fair, and accurate classification of hardwood lumber across North America. Trusted by sawmills, distributors and manufacturers worldwide, these rules ensure transparency and reliability in every transaction.

DO IT BEST TEAMS WITH SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Do it Best Group and The Sherwin-Williams Co. have entered into a long-term strategic partnership designed to strengthen the future of paint for Do it Best members and True Value retailers. The partnership combines Do it Best Group’s brand ownership, retailer relationships, and channel expertise with Sherwin-Williams manufacturing depth, innovation capabilities, and supply chain support. As part of the deal, Do it Best will retain ownership and management of the EasyCare and Best Look paint

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brands, including quality standards, marketing, promotions and commercial stewardship. EasyCare will remain exclusive to True Value retailers; Best Look will remain exclusive to Do it Best members. Sherwin-Williams will assume manufacturing responsibilities for EasyCare products and continue manufacturing Best Look products, providing greater long-term production continuity and operational resiliency. The deal includes the acquisition of the Majic and Shur-Line brands by Sherwin-Williams, with exclusivity preserved for Do it Best and True Value retailers within the independent and owned hardware channel. “This partnership allows us to keep control of the brands and the retailer experience while adding the scale and innovation of a global leader in the paints and coatings industry,” said Do it Best Group CEO Dan Starr. “It is a smart, futurefocused move that strengthens what we can deliver in the category.” “We are proud to expand our relationship with Do it Best Group and support the continued growth of these important brands and the retailers they serve,” said Todd Rea, Sherwin-Williams president, Consumer Brands Group.

CUTEK EXTREME APPROVED FOR USE WITH SAFERWOOD

CUTEK Extreme was approved for use with SaferWood ignitionresistant wood, following independent third-party testing that confirmed compatibility between SaferWood’s Thermex-FR fire-retardant treatment and CUTEK Extreme. SaferWood coated with CUTEK Extreme passed ASTM E2768 surface-burning testing, achieving the same Class A rating required for code-compliant FRTW and ignition-resistant materials. Testing confirmed that CUTEK Extreme did not negatively affect SaferWood’s surface-burning performance, while SaferWood’s Thermex-FR treatment did not impact the performance of CUTEK Extreme. SaferWood’s Thermex-FR technology provides permanent fireretardant protection and ignition resistance, while CUTEK Extreme’s deeply penetrating oil helps control moisture from within the wood, reducing cupping, warping, splitting building-products.com

and checking. “This is an exciting milestone for CUTEK and an important step forward for our OEM and pre-treatment partners,” said CUTEK president Gerald Heatherington. “The compatibility of CUTEK Extreme with SaferWood’s Thermex-FR technology gives our partners greater confidence when specifying or supplying ignition-resistant wood products that also require long-term moisture protection and premium appearance.” SaferWood with Thermex-FR by Chemco, Inc. is a one-time,

permanent FR pressure treatment that renders natural and thermally modified wood ignition-resistant. SaferWood is approved for exterior use in residential and commercial construction in WUI-designated areas and Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and it meets the requirements for fire-retardant-treated wood and ignition-resistant construction under applicable building codes. CUTEK is a leader in advanced wood protection, specializing in high-performance penetrating oils that enhance the durability, stability and natural beauty of wood.

Stack Smarter. Store More. Free up valuable space with our durable steel millwork stack racks—built for doors, windows, and more. Easy to assemble, simple to move, and designed to triple your storage capacity. • Truck-Ready: Load directly for faster handling • Damage-Reducing: Minimize product loss • Stack-Friendly: Securely stack up to three high • Cost-Effective: Maximize storage without expanding

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------------| MOVERS & SHAKERS Bill Sullivan, regional mgr.-customer development, SilvaStar/Welco Lumber, has retired after 50+ years in the industry. Formerly of Golding Sullivan Lumber Sales, “Sully” is a past president of LASC, 2nd Growth, and various Southern California chapters of Hoo Hoo International. Mark Gray, Patrick Lumber Co., Portland, Or., has been named president of Patrick Hardwoods. Jeffrey Schauer has been promoted to general mgr. of Ganahl Lumber, Laguna Beach, Ca. Chas Leeper has joined Highland Lumber & Mill, Anaheim, Ca., as outside sales rep. Schanique Barrett has been promoted to inside sales rep. Austin O’Brien has joined the sales team at Big Creek Lumber, Davenport, Ca. Aaron Castaneda, ex-Dixieline Lumber, is new to outside sales with ABC Supply, Santa Ana, Ca. Jason Barnett has been promoted to Wasatch lumber area mgr. for Sunpro Corp., Ogden, Ut. Buddy Bruno, ex-Parr Lumber, has joined the sales team at Pacific Lumber & Truss, Donald, Or. Ryan Pessah has been appointed executive director of the Western Wood Preservers Institute, Vancouver, Wa. He succeeds Butch Bernhardt, who is retiring but will remain on staff for the remainder of the year to assist in the transition.

DOUGLAS FIR

•

REDWOOD

Jeff Miller, former national account mgr. with Simpson Door, sales mgr. for OrePac, and product mgr. with Huttig, has opened his own business, The Door Outlet, Austin, Tx. Alex Ray is new to LBM Advantage, New Windsor, N.Y., as associate director, building products. Katerina “Kat” Cozza has been appointed chief financial officer for Benjamin Obdyke, Horsham, Pa. John Keeley, vice president of the Building Materials Division of LMC, Wayne, Pa., will retire Sept. 4 after 38 years with the company. Deirdre Garland has been promoted to vice president of marketing. Aaron Howald was appointed to succeed Alan Haughie as executive VP and CFO of LP Building Solutions, Nashville, Tn., effective Sept. 1 with Haughie’s retirement. John Vasuta has been named CEO and president of Johns Manville, Denver, Co. Courtney Flanagan has joined Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co., Philadelphia, Pa., as vice president of claims. Robert Massengill has been named president of 260unit Ace Retail Group, Kansas City, Mo. Pierce Deere is evaluating the grooming standards at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., report co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

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HAMPTON HONORS STUDENT WRAP ARTISTS

Hampton Lumber, Portland, Or., announced the winners of its 2026 Lumber Wrap Design Competition, highlighting student creativity from communities across its operating regions. The competition invited high school students to design artwork that will be featured on lumber wrap traveling to markets across the U.S. and around the world. Building on the success of the inaugural 2022 contest, this year’s competition expanded participation to additional schools in Oregon, Washington and South Carolina. Winning designs were selected for four Hampton mill locations: Violet Thompson, Astoria High School (Warrenton, Or., sawmill); Kailani Vidal, Seaside High School (Cowlitz Valley, Wa., sawmills); Quinn Cockrell, Darrington High School (Darrington, Wa., sawmill); and Teresa Perez, Darrington High School (Willamina, Or., sawmill). Since Hampton opened a new sawmill in Fairfax, S.C., students from nearby Allendale County schools were also invited to participate in the competition. Winning schools also received $15,000 to support their art and career and technical education programs. “Teachers often tell us how meaningful it is for students to work on something tied to a real business,” said Kristin Rasmussen, director of public affairs & communications at Hampton Lumber. “This contest gives students a chance to take what they’re learning in the classroom and apply it in a way that represents their community. We’re happy to be able to create those opportunities, and it’s especially meaningful to

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HAMPTON LUMBER created lumber wrap mock-ups inspired by students’ winning designs in its recent competition.

see our products moving across the country and overseas carrying that connection with them.” Design themes encouraged students to highlight the character of their communities. As finished lumber featuring the winning designs moves to domestic and international markets, each bundle carries a piece of the place it came from—turning everyday materials into moving canvases for youth creativity and community pride. Hampton Lumber is a fourth-generation, familyowned company with mills in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

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------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE

UNCERTAINTY CLOUDS OUTLOOK FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ------------ BY JENNIFER COSKREN PROJECTIONS OF homebuilding and other end-use markets that drive the demand for wood products always carry a degree of uncertainty, and high prices for shelter are making it even more challenging. Indeed, affordability remains a major obstacle. Historically, Federal Reserve rate cuts translate into lower mortgage rates and improved affordability, but that transmission has broken down recently. The Fed cut rates three times in 2025, bringing the target range to 3.50%– 3.75%, yet the 10-year Treasury yield averaged 4.29% for the year, up from 4.19% in 2024 (see chart below). With the Fed’s balance sheet no longer anchoring long-term rates, yields are now driven by market forces like inflation expectations and fiscal pressures rather than policy rates alone. The Fed left rates unchanged in March citing sticky inflation and Middle East uncertainty, and now projects only one quarter-point cut this year. The Fed will struggle to cut rates further as the current oil shock continues and puts further upward pressure on broader inflation.

The Iranian conflict has been working against the argument for near-term rate cuts pushing energy prices higher and raising uncertainty again. While uncertainty has eased since its peak around the “Liberation Day” tariff announcements in April 2025, it remains significantly elevated compared to pre-2025 levels. This persistence suggests that underlying questions, particularly around trade policy, inflation, fiscal sustainability, and global risk, have not been fully resolved. As a result, uncertainty continues to exert upward pressure on risk premiums and long-term interest rates (see chart at upper right). The index rose again in May of 2026, reflecting continued concerns around geopolitical risks given the Middle East instability and spiking energy prices.

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Energy costs represent a meaningful risk to the inflation outlook this year. Residential electricity prices have been accelerating, partly driven by surging demand from AI data centers. The conflict with Iran has pushed oil above $100 per barrel, raising gasoline and diesel costs and introducing broader economic headwinds if elevated prices persist. Although energy goods represent only about 2% of consumer spending, their price volatility and visibility to consumers amplify their psychological and behavioral impact. Major forecasts suggest GDP could be reduced by 0.25 to 0.5 percentage points in 2026 if oil remains near current levels—modest in aggregate, but heavily dependent on how long the shock persists. But the economy has been getting a notable boost from the AI capital surge. Real final sales to private domestic purchasers (one of the cleanest measures of underlying domestic demand, stripping out government spending, inventory swings and trade flows) has held in the 2–3% annualized range, a number that looks reassuringly stable on the surface. But that stability has been entirely manufactured by an unprecedented surge in data center and AI infrastructure investment, which has masked a broader private economy that is, at best, growing very slowly. Weaker business and consumer sentiment will drag on the economy throughout 2026. Our baseline GDP forecast calls for growth of around 2% in both 2026 and 2027— modest but positive, avoiding recession. Key downside risks include a sharper slowdown in AI investment, tighter financial conditions, or escalating geopolitical risk, with risks tilted modestly to the downside given today’s policy and inflation environment. building-products.com

Affordability Challenges Remain through 2027 From the broad economic environment to the housing market specifically, the key messages here are decidedly cautious. Homebuying sentiment surveys sit at historical lows. To put the current housing sentiment picture in historical context, consider the University of Michigan’s homebuying conditions index: it sits around 40 today—a level not seen since the early 1980s, when 30-year mortgage rates exceeded 15%. The comparison is striking as consumers view buying conditions as just as poor today, with mortgage rates around 6.5%. That contrast highlights the severity of today’s housing affordability problem. Equally concerning is how persistent the weakness has been. Sentiment has remained deeply depressed since 2022. While the index has edged up slightly in recent months, it remains extremely low by historical standards.

The affordability challenge that potential homebuyers face continues to drive the belief that now is not a good time to buy. These affordability pressures are now translating into measurable tenure shifts across the housing market. Consistent with this shift, data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the homeownership rate fell for the second consecutive year. The decline from 65.6% in 2024 to 65.3% in 2025 implies a growing number of renter households. The Census Bureau reported that roughly 75% of the 1.1 million net new households formed in 2025 were renter households. This dynamic helps explain the stronger outlook for apartment developers.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Sales are sluggish as affordability remains constrained. Improving housing affordability is a stated priority for the Trump administration, balancing home value protection with expanding access to homeownership. Congress is considering the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill addressing the housing shortage by modernizing federal programs, expanding multifamily financing, streamlining environmental reviews, and giving localities greater flexibility to support development. building-products.com

A key issue is the treatment of investor-owned housing. The Senate bill restricts large institutional investors (those owning more than 350 homes) from purchasing additional single-family properties, with an exception for build-to-rent (BTR) communities. Investors may develop and lease single-family homes but must sell within approximately seven years—permitting BTR as a development strategy while limiting long-term rental ownership. The revised House bill maintains restrictions on buying existing single-family homes but removes the forced-sale requirement for build-to-rent properties entirely. Overall, the legislation could modestly support housing supply by reducing development frictions and expanding financing tools, though investor restrictions are more likely to shift the composition of buyers than meaningfully increase aggregate supply. The main sticking point between the House and Senate versions remains the treatment of BTR properties. The Senate version would force investors to sell those homes within seven years; the House softened that to simply creating a tenant hotline. The two chambers will need to reconcile that difference before it reaches Trump’s desk, though Trump has already expressed support for the broader legislation.

Housing Starts Below 1.4 Million through 2027 Housing starts in 2025 totaled 1.356 million units (940,000 single-family, 416,000 multifamily). Affordability headwinds will weigh on new home demand, pushing builders to keep home sizes smaller and offer incentives to generate sales, pointing to single-family starts at or below 1 million units in 2026 and 2027. Multifamily starts are projected to average 420,000 annually over the same period. The combined total of less than 1.4 million units means 2026 and 2027 will feel much like 2024 and 2025 in terms of wood products demand. MM – Jennifer Coskren is VP of economic analysis & market research at APA – The Engineered Wood Association. Contact her at jennifer.coskren@apawood.org. July 2026

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------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE

STACKED DLT gives life to an architecture office in Denver, Co. (Photo by Jess Blackwell Photography, courtesy of International Timberframes)

THE ABC’s OF DLT

DOWEL-LAMINATED TIMBER BRINGS MASS TIMBER TO THE MASSES ------------ BY DAVID KOENIG AS THE CONSTRUCTION industry searches for faster, more sustainable building solutions, mass timber products are attracting unprecedented attention. Among the newest entrants is dowel-laminated timber, or DLT—a structural panel made by mechanically fastening dimensional lumber together with wood dowels rather than adhesives or metal fasteners. The result is an engineered wood product that combines structural performance, architectural warmth and manufacturing efficiency, making it an increasingly attractive option for floors, roofs and occasionally walls in commercial and institutional buildings. Fifth-generation lumberman George Schmidbauer recently opened the first DLT production facility in California, Mad River Mass Timber, Korbel, Ca. He has long been interested in mass timber, as a solution for providing locally sourced materials to address the state’s wildfire and forest health issues. He investigated cross-laminated timber, but realized the cost to build a CLT facility or modify a local sawmill was not feasible, not to mention that suitable wood would have to be hauled in from Washington or Canada. He found what he considers a more efficient process, at a more practical price when visiting the U.C. Berkeley Wood Lab. Berkeley professors were researching and designing DLT projects that could use local fire-damaged timber and small-diameter trees.

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With the assistance of the Berkeley researchers, Mad River designed and built its own DLT machine from scratch using standard components, creating a set-up that could manufacture panels at scale. The company is currently producing prefabricated DLT floors, roofs, walls and beams. Other North American producers of DLT include Tridome Structures, Cambridge, Ma.; DowelLam (StructureCraft), Abbottsford, B.C.; and International Timberframes, Revelstoke, B.C. Sigi Liebmann, founder of International Timberframes, is fully invested in DLT. The product, he says, “has a higher R-value than glued CLT and also offers greater load capacity in a single-span application. We have no offgassing from glue, and it is easier for disassembly and separation at the end of its life.” In addition, he says, “There is significant interest in the DLT with acoustic profiles—which is not possible to do with CLT or glulam—and more applications for cabins and homes using the whole DLT envelope.” As for other growth prospects, Liebmann says, ”Many clients are health-conscious and sustainability-minded. We see a great potential for significant growth when people start understanding all the additional value that DLT offers compared with glued CLT and glulam.” MM building-products.com

B U I L DL I K E AB E A S T

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------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE

SUPPLYING mass timber? WoodWorks is offering a roadmap. (Photo Bryan Aulick)

FROM CONCEPT TO CONSTRUCTION THE EXPANDING TOOLKIT FOR MASS TIMBER DESIGN ------------ BY BILL PARSONS AS MASS TIMBER and advanced wood systems continue expanding into new regions and building types, a growing number of architects, engineers, contractors, and developers are exploring wood construction for the first time. But for many project teams, the question is no longer whether mass timber can work—it’s how to execute projects successfully, efficiently, and confidently. That demand for practical guidance is accelerating quickly. As of March 2026, WoodWorks was tracking 2,746 commercial, multi-family, and institutional mass timber projects in the United States, including projects in design, under construction, and built. Interest in wood systems continues to outpace even that growth. In 2025 alone, we had more than 10,000 new contacts seeking technical support, educational resources, and project guidance. With this momentum, mass timber is moving beyond early adopters and becoming a viable option across new and increasingly complex project types—including industrial facilities, schools, and affordable housing. Alongside this evolution, hybrid systems combining light-frame and mass timber construction are also being more frequently utilized as designers seek to optimize the benefits of both systems. Additionally, as of April 2026, 26 states have adopted the tall mass timber provisions of the 2021 and/ or 2024 International Building Code (IBC), either whole or with local amendments. One of the clearest signs of mass timber’s maturation is the expansion of technical resources to address the real-world challenges facing designers and builders. As more buildings move from concept to completion, the industry is

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benefiting from a growing body of shared experience that is helping standardize best practices and reduce barriers to adoption. Universities, researchers, manufacturers, design professionals, and industry groups are collectively contributing to a more robust ecosystem of research, testing, standards, and practical design guidance. For our part, WoodWorks continues to expand its online library of technical resources and recently introduced a new roadmap for designers: The Mass Timber Technical Reference Guide. The guide was developed to lower the barrier to entry for teams new to mass timber while also serving as a trusted technical reference for experienced practitioners. Structured in a book-like format aligned with how architects and engineers approach design, the guide allows users to quickly locate vetted resources related to key areas of mass timber design, including design development, materials, analysis, detailing, fire, acoustics, vibration, durability, and construction considerations. Rather than functioning as a static handbook, it serves as a curated framework that connects project teams with the technical information, standards, and research shaping modern mass timber practice. Among the most impactful new expert-driven publications are those tackling complex topics such as fire requirements and design and exterior wall design. The evolution of mass timber systems is also evident in the growing number of publications focused on constructability and coordination. New guidance on CLT shear wall (Continued on page 33) building-products.com

------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE

MASS TIMBER has earned its place in the built environment through a decade of proven performance.

BUILDING TALL, BUILDING SAFE MASS TIMBER IN THE MODEL CODES ------------ BY MADISON STEPHENS MASS TIMBER is no longer a novel alternative; it is a proven, code-compliant structural system that is reshaping mid- and high-rise construction across the country. With projects spanning healthcare, university research facilities, workforce housing and military barracks, mass timber is delivering on both performance and sustainability.

From Innovation to Code Recognition A decade ago, the idea that tall wood buildings faced skepticism was rooted less in data and more in unfamiliarity. The American Wood Council (AWC) recognized early that realizing the full potential of mass timber would require more than project-by-project approvals. It required a fundamental shift in the code framework. The growth in mass timber construction over the last few years can be traced to its adoption into the model codes that govern what and how structures can be built. AWC initiated the process that ultimately led to the development of new construction types, referred to as Types IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C. After years of testing and coalition building, these types of mass timber construction were ultimately included in the International Code Council’s (ICC) I-codes, the primary model codes used throughout the U.S. The takeaway is simple: mass timber didn’t get a special pathway into the code. Mass timber met the same evidence-based standard required of any structural system. And it met it decisively.

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Mass Timber in the Code Building codes are developed through a multi-year, rigorous, consensus-based process where a wide variety of stakeholders submit and review proposals and comments. With multiple rounds of public hearings where these proposals and comments are debated and voted on, this process is deliberately detailed. The goal of the process is technical credibility, not speed or tradition. While mass timber was a new construction type, it covers well-known and code-recognized products (e.g. glue-laminated timber and structural composite lumber) as well as newer products (e.g. cross laminated timber). To address initial resistance and evaluate the feasibility of incorporating mass timber into the International Building Code (IBC), ICC established the Tall Wood Building Ad Hoc Committee. With significant technical support from AWC, the committee spent several years coordinating research, fire and structural performance testing, and analyzing results. These results formed the technical basis that guided development of the new Type IV provisions and ultimately led to mass timber’s inclusion in the ICC’s 2021 IBC. The inclusion of mass timber provisions in the code significantly expanded previous limits for timber construction. As a prescriptive code, the IBC designates specific requirements for construction that are based not on material type, but a material’s ability to perform in a certain building-products.com

way. Mass timber construction is required to meet strict standards for fire and life safety and structural design. These include requirements for fire-resistance, height, area and story limits, exposed timber limits, vertical and lateral structural systems, and more. In fact, the allowable heights of up to 18 stories for Type IV-A construction reflects confidence in performance, not compromise.

Wind & Seismic: Consistent Set of Rules One of the most common questions from those new to mass timber is how the structural system performs under lateral loads—specifically wind and seismic forces. The inclusion of mass timber structural systems in the model codes, and the engineered design and performance-testing that substantiated the inclusion of these systems in the AWC design standards and the IBC, demonstrate the safety and resilience of mass timber construction. From a code compliance standpoint, mass timber structural systems are subject to the same fundamental wind and seismic design requirements as any other construction type. The IBC, and the standards it references, do not create separate requirements by material; all materials and structural systems are held to the same performance expectations and reference the relevant material-specific standards. These standards include AWC’s National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction, Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS), and Fire Design Specification (FDS) for Wood Construction, all of which are used by engineers to demonstrate that mass timber meets the performance requirements in the codes. While the NDS, SDPWS, and FDS are not mass timber specific, they do include specific guidance for mass timber construction. As mass timber construction has grown taller and more varied, expanded SDPWS provisions have continued to center on technical rigor and performance requirements. AWC has helped develop testing protocols and analyze performance data to ensure that what is included in the AWC design standards and referenced in the IBC accurately reflects how mass timber actually behaves under dynamic loading.

EXPANDING MASS TIMBER DESIGN TOOLKIT (Continued from page 30)

behavior, moisture management during construction, and detailing penetrations in heavy timber members points to a shift beyond conceptual design and into execution. Similarly, resources addressing delegated design, design-assist workflows, and enclosure continuity highlight the importance of early collaboration and integrated project delivery as wood buildings increase in scale and complexity. Equally important is the continued development of in-depth tools and reference materials. New design guides and calculation resources are helping engineers more efficiently design mass timber gravity systems, while expanded databases for tested fire and acoustic assemblies are addressing critical performance questions. Targeted papers on topics such as quality assurance and durability further reinforce a trend towards more rigorous, datadriven design and construction practices. Sustainability remains a key driver behind this momentum, with designers eager to understand the nuances of building-products.com

Enforcement: The Role of Building & Fire Officials The codes and standards that set the performance requirements for mass timber construction are used by building and fire code officials who enforce the code requirements. They review plans, conduct inspections, and ultimately sign off on the safety of a project. For many of them, mass timber is still a relatively new system. The intricacy of the approval process and nuances of mass timber provisions mean their access to education and resources is critical to the safe construction of mass timber buildings. AWC has sought to fill this gap through its education programs, creating tools and resources to meet the needs of building and fire officials with webinars, in-person training, and a code official program. AWC has designed resources to meet the unique needs of these officials ensuring they are practical, applied and grounded in the code language used in practice. These resources include the Construction Fire Safety Checklist app, designed with input from the fire service, and a Mass Timber Alternative Materials and Methods Guide that helps bridge the gap in jurisdictions where mass timber is desired but the relevant code provisions have not yet been adopted.

Mass Timber in Practice: Where We Are Today What’s driving the adoption of mass timber isn’t just sustainability or aesthetics. It’s clarity. The model codes provide a predictable, enforceable framework. The standards provide the technical pathway. The growing body of built work provides real-world validation. Mass timber earned its place in the built environment through its performance, model codes that recognize that performance, enforcement of those requirements by code officials, and resources that help developers and engineers specify and build with confidence. The research and technical rigor that undergirds the inclusion of mass timber in the building codes offers code officials, developers and communities confidence in their performance and safety, while opening market access for U.S. wood products. MM – Madison Stephens is manager, communications & outreach for the American Wood Council (awc.org).

defining building performance. WoodWorks continues to contribute additional life cycle assessment research comparing mass timber with conventional systems, offering insights into embodied carbon and costs. As regulatory market pressures around carbon intensify, these resources are becoming essential to informed decision making. The Mass Timber Technical Reference Guide serves as a gateway to the broader ecosystem of technical resources and project support. The expansion of resources in the last year reflects an industry that is rapidly advancing. As more professionals enter the market, continued collaboration and open access to credible, practical guidance will remain critical to sustained growth. Supported by an increasingly connected ecosystem of technical resources and project experience, teams are better equipped than ever to deliver ambitious wood buildings with confidence. MM – Bill Parsons, PE is chief operating officer at WoodWorks/ Wood Products Council, a non-profit providing free project support for commercial and multifamily mass timber and light-frame wood buildings, a nationwide education program, and a range of published resources (www.woodworks.org). July 2026

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------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE

WHEN PLYWOOD is used for supporting structural loads, such as in concrete formwork, proper selection and design of the panel are critical.

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF RATED CONCRETE FORMWORK ------------ BY NOAH HUMBERSTON JUST AS DIFFERENT lumber types possess varying grades and structural properties, plywood is an engineered wood material that can have a diverse range of performance characteristics. It can be manufactured to specific performance categories using various veneer grades, wood species and moisture-resistance adhesives. When plywood is tasked with supporting structural loads, particularly in concrete formwork, proper selection and design of panel are a matter of both project quality and jobsite safety.

Engineering Considerations for Formwork Formwork for concrete structures requires careful engineering. The selection of plywood class and performance categories depends on the anticipated load. The primary step in form design is determining the maximum concrete pressure, which is influenced by several variables: pour rate, concrete slump, density, method of vibration, total height of pour and more. For horizontal applications, such as concrete slabs, forms must support both the “dead load” of the wet concrete and the “live loads” of workers and equipment.

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Normal weight concrete (150 pcf) exerts a load of 12.5 psf for every inch of slab thickness.

The Hazards of Unrated Formwork Panels Despite the risks, non-certified or untested panels are often substituted for rated products on the jobsite. While these panels may initially appear robust, they lack the third-party auditing and qualification testing necessary to verify their mechanical properties. The implications of using unrated panels can be severe: • Safety Risks: Unrated panels can lack the strength and stiffness assumed during design, potentially causing structural failure under the weight of wet concrete and workers. • Quality Issues: Unrated panels can lead to surface defects like “pillowing,” in turn leading to fewer pours due to poor moisture durability and inconsistent performance without third-party auditing. • Performance Failures: Imported plywood may not meet voluntary U.S. product standards (e.g., PS 1 or PS 2) or APA performance ratings unless it is specifically cerbuilding-products.com

tified. Testing by APA on plywood panels imported from China and Brazil revealed inferior mechanical properties and failures in bond durability compared to plywood certified to PS 1. Verification of standard compliance and performance testing is essential before use in structural applications. Unrated formwork panels can result in wasted concrete and labor at a minimum and pose serious life-safety risks in the worst-case scenario.

Ensuring Code Compliance The International Building Code mandates that concrete formwork be designed and erected in accordance with ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. By adhering to PS 1 plywood specifications, contractors meet the performance criteria established in both ACI 318 and 347, Guide to Formwork for Concrete. Detailed guidance on these requirements can be found in APA’s The Importance of Code-Compliant Concrete Formwork, Form A236. Verification in the field is essential. It is the responsibility of both the contractor and the inspector to confirm that the materials used on site are certified and match the project specifications.

Selecting the Right APA-Certified Panel The majority of APA-certified panels with an Exterior bond classification are suitable for formwork. The industry produces specialized products for this application called Plyform. These panels have an Exterior bond classification and are limited to certain wood species and veneer grades to ensure high-level performance.

Plyform products are available in three basic grades: Plyform Class I, Plyform Class II and Structural I Plyform. Each may be ordered with a high or medium density overlay (HDO or MDO) on one or both sides, which provides a smoother finish and greater durability for multiple reuses. These prescriptive grades are discussed in APA’s Concrete Forming Design/Construction Guide (Form V345). Pressure tables in this guide allow designers to select panels based on known design stresses and support distances. For proprietary panels that do not follow the prescriptive requirements of PS 1, APA performs extensive laboratory testing. The testing evaluates bending and shear strength in both dry and saturated conditions to establish reliable mechanical property ratings.

The APA Mark of Quality To ensure safety and compliance, always specify engineered wood products bearing the APA trademark. This mark signifies that the manufacturer is subject to rigorous, ongoing third-party quality assurance auditing. Beyond certification, APA provides comprehensive support to the industry, including a dedicated Technical Support Help Desk, a 42,000-sq. ft. research and testing facility, and field representatives located across North America that provide complimentary consultations to industry professionals. MM – Noah Humberston, PE is an APA engineered wood specialist based in the Philadelphia area, serving the Northeast region. Contact him at noah.humberston@apawood.org.

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------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE

REDUCING SOUND transmission and increasing impact insulation was a critical detail for Weymouth Glen.

SENIOR LIVING PROJECT TURNS TO EWP ------------ BY PATRICK SCHLEISMAN WITH BABY BOOMERS continuing to age and Gen X close behind, the U.S. is facing a growing senior housing shortage as demand continues to outpace new construction. In Southern Pines, N.C., Penick Village is working to help address that need through a major expansion effort— one in which engineered wood is playing a critical role. Originally opened in 1964, the senior living community now spans 38 acres and includes 150 independent living residences, assisted living and rehabilitation services, and a range of resident amenities including restaurants, a library, movie theater, and hair salon. Its latest expansion, scheduled to open this summer, includes the renovation of an existing building along with four new structures: a wellness pavilion; Welcome House; Grove Villas, featuring six attached, two-bedroom homes with garages; and Weymouth Glen, a three-story hybrid apartment building designed as a wood structure over a concrete and steel podium with parking below. Looking ahead, an additional 206 units are planned as part of future development efforts.

Engineered for Efficiency, Safety & Sound Moving to a senior housing community should not require residents to settle, and that’s certainly the case at Penick Village, where the homes feature modern styling, ample amenities, and a high quality of life. The Weymouth Glen apartments are the latest example, and delivering on that promise required meticulous design and engineering for the building’s structural elements. Engineers faced several challenges when designing the framing. First, as is typical with podium construction, was efficient extension of the wood structure down through

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the garage. Next was the lateral design, because the units have several wide window openings to ensure ample daylighting. The team used a Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Rod system in the shear wall design. Certain areas called for wood structural panels on both sides of the shear walls, and 1-1/2" LSL rim board, along with 1-1/2" LSL blocking panels, which helped transfer perimeter shear loads to the podium structure. LSL was used for the top and bottom plates because it is more resistant to shrinkage and swelling compared to dimension lumber. The apartments were designed with a modern open floor plan concept, which limited the amount of bearing walls within each unit and necessitated structural floor joists that could span upwards of 31 ft. to meet design, detailing and performance requirements set by code. RPLS Architects chose an I-joist system because it offered the ideal combination of efficiency while meeting acoustic, fire and cost considerations. Compared to open-web trusses, the I-joists yield a shallower depth. This reduced the floor-to-floor height and helped address the building’s height limitations. The extra height needed for open-web trusses also increases costs for other building materials. In addition, open-web trusses would have required more time for fabrication. Reducing sound transmission and increasing impact insulation through the walls and floors was paramount, especially because noise is a common complaint among residents in other buildings in the Village. The architects and engineers addressed these issues in the building’s floor design, choosing acoustic and fire-rated assemblies that included metal furring hat channels, I-joists, 23/32" subfloor, acoustical underlayment, and 1" gypcrete topping. building-products.com

“Floor stiffness helps with structure-borne noise,” notes architect Craig Kimmel, so using an I-joist system that reduces deflection and vibration helped here, as well. “We find you can’t beat the efficiency of the I-joists,” adds structural engineer Paul Wiedorn, P.E. “We don’t just limit the live load deflection to the recommended deflection of L/480, because we’ve found, particularly with retirement communities, that that may or may not be sufficient.” With the long 31-ft. spans, “we have to be careful about the deflections and the vibration in particular,” Wiedorn says, noting that design live load deflections were, in some cases, in the range of L/750 in order to meet floor vibration performance requirements. Using I-joists also helped accommodate and save costs on fire safety requirements. Depending on the MEP layout and building geometry, compartmentalizing an I-joist floor cavity is often less expensive than compartmentalizing an open-web floor truss cavity. This is because NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R allow combustible concealed spaces to be built without sprinklers if they are subdivided into compartments that do not exceed 160 cubic ft. For I-joists, this is commonly accomplished with relatively simple firestop or draftstop material placed within the joist cavities.

Collaboration and Supply Chain Support Beyond the structural considerations, the team was concerned that potential tariffs on the Canadian wood products could escalate costs. This required efficiency in decision-making and procurement, and the team worked with distributor Eastern Engineered Wood Products to secure the materials. Eastern was able to hold to budgeted pricing and the tight project schedule to protect against

building-products.com

A UNIQUE ELEMENT in Weymouth Glen’s framing system is the notched blocking panels around the I-joist flanges.

unexpected cost increases. The tight deadlines, along with an early I-joist supplier change, meant there wasn’t time to coordinate the plumbing with the I-joist layouts for pre-cutting holes. Instead, the team used headers to stop joists short of the walls to allow for the plumbing. Though it wasn’t Blum Construction’s first I-joist project, as it was for senior superintendent Tyler McNeely, the team navigated the learning curve well. McNeely found that the wood I-joist framing “goes up fast, it’s lighter, and is capable of long spans.” MM – Patrick Schleisman is an APA engineered wood specialist based in Atlanta, serving Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. Contact him at patrick.schleisman@apawood.org.

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------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE

7 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOLES IN STRUCTURAL GLULAM RIM BOARD ------------ BY DR. JESSIE CHEN WHETHER ROUTING plumbing, electrical, or mechanical systems, field-cut openings in structural components require careful consideration. These guidelines help builders and designers determine when and where holes can be safely cut in glulam rim board used in lightframe wood construction. Glued laminated timber rim board is made of highly engineered structural components manufactured from specially selected and positioned lumber laminations of varying strength and stiffness. Rim board provides a structural perimeter for floor or roof systems, closing cavities as well as transferring vertical and horizontal loads to walls or foundations. Since glulam rim board is generally designed for and used in applications where it will be stressed under combined design loads, whenever holes are not specified in the construction documents or shop drawings, one can follow the guidelines provided in APA’s Technical Topics: Holes in Structural Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) Rim Board in Light-Frame Wood Construction or consult the engineer of record before making modifications.

Hole Size Recommendations These recommendations are limited to APA-certified structural glued laminated timber (glulam) rim board with a thickness of 3-1/2" or larger, and a depth of 9-1/2" through 18". The maximum allowable hole size for an APA-certified glulam rim board shall be two-thirds of the rim board depth as shown in Table 1. The length of the rim board segment containing a hole shall be at least eight times the hole size.

designed in accordance with APA Technical Note: Effect of Large Diameter Horizontal Holes on the Bending and Shear Properties of Structural Glued Laminated Timber, Form V700. Exception: Round holes of 1" or less in diameter are permitted, provided they are positioned at the mid-depth and in the middle third of the span (see application Note 5 for minimum hole spacing) or the holes conform to APA Technical Note: Field Notching and Drilling of Structural Glued Laminated Timber Beams, Form S560.

(2) Field-cut holes should be vertically centered in the rim board and at least one hole diameter or 6" (whichever is less) clear distance away from the end of the wall line. Holes should never be placed such that they interfere with the attachment of the rim board to the ends of the floor joist, or any other code-required nailing. (3) While round holes are preferred, rectangular holes may be used, provided that the corners are not over-cut. Slightly rounding corners or pre-drilling corners with a one-inch-diameter bit is recommended. (4) When concentrated loads (are present on the rim board, holes should not be placed in the rim board within a distance equal to the depth of the rim board from the area of loading. (5) For multiple holes, the clear spacing between holes shall be at least two times the diameter of the larger hole, or twice the length of the longest side of the longest rectangular hole. This minimum hole spacing does

7 Recommended Application Notes (1) Do not cut holes in rim board installed over openings, such as doors or windows, where the rim board is not fully supported, unless the rim board is specifically

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not apply to holes of 1" or less in diameter, which can be placed anywhere in the rim board, provided that the clear distance to the adjacent hole shall be 3" minimum.

(6) A group of round holes at approximately the same location shall be permitted if they meet the requirement of a single round hole circumscribed around them. For vertically stacked round holes, this rule shall be permitted to be applied. (7) All holes shall be cut in a workman-like manner in accordance with the limitations listed above.

APA offers a wide range of technical resources, APA Product Reports, and hundreds of complimentary publications covering engineered wood applications backed by decades of industry-leading research, testing and field experience. Builders, designers, and specifiers can find additional information on engineered wood products and the use of glulam in light-frame construction, including design recommendations and specification guidance, at www.apawood.org. MM – Dr. Jessie Chen, P.E. is APA’s technical manager within their Technical Services Division and is based at APA headquarters in Tacoma, Wa. (www.awpa.org).

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------------| ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE

FRERES’ MASS PLY products were used for most of the structural components of the new 12,000-sq. ft. pavilion at the Woodland Park Zoo, including columns, beams and roof diaphragm.

BUILT FOR THE WILD

SEATTLE ZOO EMPLOYS MASS PLY FOR NEW EXHIBIT MASS TIMBER is walking on the wild side—through an expansive new pathway and pavilion at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Wa. On May 1, the zoo officially opened to the public a new Forest Trailhead exhibit, featuring Freres Engineered Wood’s Mass Ply products. Forest Trailhead will guide guests along an elevated treetop path and through a 12,000-sq. ft. mass-timber pavilion, blending sustainable architecture with natural habitats. LMN Architects used Mass Ply for many of the building’s structural and aesthetic elements, including beams, columns and most notably the pavilion’s eye-catching roof. “We chose Mass Ply for the project because it evokes the feeling of being in a tree canopy—perfect for an

OUT FRONT, an elevated path—also made of Mass Ply—leads visitors to the new exhibit. (Photo by Matt Swain Photography)

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exhibit on forests and sustainable forest management,” said Mark La Venture, associate (PA) at LMN Architects. “We loved how the contrast between the layers and the flat surfaces added depth and interest to the design. The sustainability story was also a big draw, since Mass Ply uses more of the tree than conventional products, aligning perfectly with the [exhibit’s] conservation message.” From start to finish, Forest Trailhead exhibit is dedicated to the global movement of forest conservation. Guests enter the exhibit on an elevated canopy path and encounter Matschie’s tree kangaroos from Papua New Guinea, marking their return to the zoo for the first time in a decade. Later, visitors descend to the forest floor and learn about its role in healthy ecosystems. The Mass Ply pavilion reinforces the building’s message. Exposed wood and round skylights overhead filter light like gaps in a forest canopy, bringing biophilic design principles to life. The material behind it all carries its own conservation story. Mass Ply requires less energy to manufacture and emits less carbon than other structural materials, and is produced primarily from small-diameter trees to help reduce overstocking in Northwest forests. “Mass Ply was made for projects like this, where it can both perform structurally and contribute to the larger story of conservation,” says Tyler Freres, VP of sales at Freres Engineered Wood. “Mass Ply products are grown and manufactured in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s only fitting that they’re now featured in a building dedicated to teaching people why forests are worth protecting.” The exhibit also incorporated multiple strategies to reduce embodied carbon, such as managing on-site stormwater and installing bird-safe windows and solar panels. Forest Trailhead exhibit is targeting LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council. MM building-products.com

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Novatech Group is now bringing to North America its Altitude Collection 8-ft. doors in 20-minute fire-rated construction. With the addition of the patent-pending N950 door, the Altitude Collection offers one of the most extensive lines of 8-ft. fire-rated doors on the market today. The new doors are available in a wide range of contemporary and classical styles. The new certified N950 steel-faced foam core, wood edge single-swing fire doors meet the fire-resistance requirements of a 20-minute rating when tested in accordance with UL 10C, CAN/ULC S104 and NFPA 252 up to a maximum size of 36" x 95". Designed for residential applications, they feature 24-gauge galvanized steel skins which are resistant to warping and corrosion. Their rigid polyurethane foam core delivers thermal performance as well as sound suppression. The wood stiles and rails along the door’s edges provide structural integrity and allow for simple, efficient hardware installation.

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VERTICAL ACCENT PANEL Westlake Royal Building Products launched Vertälla, a striking, vertical accent panel for its Royal and Exterior Portfolio vinyl siding lines. Its clean vertical lines are ideal for highlighting architectural focal points, allowing designers and builders to add dimension without overwhelming the overall facade and meet demand for multi-textured exteriors. It is offered in 10 light, medium and dark colors, ranging from bold, modern hues to versatile neutrals.

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STAINABLE COMPOSITE SIDING Modern Mill has introduced ACRE Shingle Siding, reportedly the only stainable composite shingle on the market. It accepts stain evenly without knots, sap lines, or tannin bleed. The perfection shingle is available 5/16" thick in 4-ft. panels in ACRE Grain. It is available factory finished in all seven colors of Modern Mill’s Signature Stain Collection: Biloxi, Amory, Walnut, ACRE Black, Laurel, Montauk Gray, and Mahogany. Like all other ACRE products, the siding is made from over 50% upcycled rice hulls with the rest being a clean rigid PVC resin. It is 100% tree-free, and doesn’t contain any phenol, formaldehyde, adhesives or VOCs. It is designed to match the natural warmth of cedar shingles without the weathering, rot or frequent maintenance that comes with real wood. It’s resistant to water, rot, weather, splintering and pests.

ALUMINUM OUTSWINGERS Crystal Window & Door Systems is introducing the aluminum outswing projected Series 8700 windows. Available in casement, awning, and fixed styles and featuring state-of-the-art polyamide strut thermal break technology, the architectural windows excel in thermal performance and comply with the latest stringent energy code requirements. With a 3-1/4" jamb depth, they are suitable for new construction and replacement applications involving mid-rise, high-rise, multi-family, office, hospitality or institutional properties.

CRYSTALWINDOWS.COM (718) 961-7300

MODERN-MILL.COM (601) 844-7707

BACKER BOARD GETS BACKING

CARBONITE OPENINGS This summer, MI Windows & Doors is launching the Carbonite Collection, a premium black/black vinyl window and door collection. It starts with MI’s popular 1620 single-hung and picture windows, 1630 horizontal slider, fixed windows, and three new products: the 3075 Casement and 3065 Awning in its V3000 Series and the VX4500 Moving Glass Wall system. Products feature premium capstock color technology for dark-colored vinyl windows and doors, offering the durability of through-color vinyl and improved heat resistance over standard uPVC vinyl, while maintaining the excellent thermal and structural performance associated with vinyl products.

HydroBlok’s HB One Backer CI panel passed testing for direct-to-stud installation in non-shear wall applications—a breakthrough that removes another costly layer from the traditional wall assembly, while delivering builtin continuous insulation. With the new direct-to-stud capability, the product can be installed directly to wood framing in designated non-shear wall sections, covering around 80% of the wall surface. The product itself did not fundamentally change. Rather, its role in the wall assembly has been approved to evolve. It is recognized for code compliance through ICC, with full evaluation documentation for the direct-to-stud application forthcoming.

MIWINDOWS.COM (717) 365-3300

HYDROBLOK.COM (855) 223-2929

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At Royal Pacific you’ll pay no more, but get extra. We guarantee it.

BASEMENT WALL INSULATION Knauf Insulation has added a new R-19 option to its Performance+ Basement Wall Insulation product line, providing builders with an effective insulation option for projects requiring higher thermal performance. In addition to delivering the required R-value performance, the new product features an enhanced wider, folded-tab facing design intended to improve installation efficiency and create a cleaner, more finished appearance once installed. All Knauf Performance+ insulation has been third-party tested by Allergy Standards, ensuring they have formaldehyde-free binder, extremely low dust levels post-installation, and extremely low VOC emissions.

KNAUFNORTHAMERICA.COM (800) 825-4434

REFRESHED STAPLE GUN Arrow Tool Group has unveiled a refreshed design for its popular T50X Heavy-Duty Staple Gun, giving one of its most trusted DIY fastening tools a modern new appearance while maintaining the performance and reliability users have come to expect. Now featuring a bold red-and-black housing, the tool combines an ergonomic grip with a simple push-button loading mechanism, making staple loading quick and hassle-free.

ARROWTOOLGROUP.COM (800) 776-2228

building-products.com

Hi-bor® brand treated wood is a borate treated wood product designed for interior house framing in Hawaii. Hi-bor treated wood resists attack by Formosan and subterranean termites and numerous household insects and pests, as well as fungal decay. Hi-bor borate treated wood is also backed by a 20 year limited warranty*.

FirePro® brand fire retardant treated wood is treated with a patented formulation that contains no phosphates and has been shown to exhibit exceptional fire performance properties without compromising other critical engineering properties such as strength, durability, corrosivity, and hygroscopicity. FirePro treated wood is also backed by a 50 year limited warranty*.

Advance Guard® borate pressure treated lumber is recommended for sill plate, furring strips, joists, studs, roof trusses, blocking, rafters, beams, and other framing applications. Advance Guard is also recommended for fascia, trim, wall sheathing, roof sheathing, and sub-floors. Advance Guard borate pressure treated lumber is also backed by a lifetime limited warranty*.

Providing Customer Satisfaction in All We Do

P.O. Box 75 • McMinnville, OR 97128 503-434-5450 • FAX: 888-TSO-WOOD (888-876-9663) 28770 Dike Road • Rainier OR 97048 503-556-1297 • Fax: 503-556-1709 * See product warranty for details. Hi-bor®, FirePro® and Advance Guard® treated wood products are produced by independently owned and operated wood treating facilities. Hi-bor®, FirePro® and Advance Guard® are registered trademarks of Koppers, Inc. ©10/2014

July 2026

• the merchant magazine • 45

AIA2026

TARGETING ARCHITECTS IN SAN DIEGO

LBM MANUFACTURERS showed up in force at AIA2026 Conference on Architecture & Design June 10-13 in San Diego, Ca. [1] Michael Nelson, John Niedzwiecki, Tomas Carlos, Michael Yauk. [2] Chadd Furley. [3] Andrea Monti, Geanna Johnson. [4] Shelby Hawkins, Jeremy Branan, Daniella Espinoza. [5] Diego Tobar, Nafia Muhammad, Hadi Hanna, Luis Loera. [6] Moses Ortega,

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Tom Czlapinski. [7] Dominic Mattos, Cami Waner, Gregory Welling. [8] Trevor Johnson, Ryan Trelstad. [9] Nicole Krill, Carin Steber. [10] Matthew Buller, Danny Trebelhorn. [11] Jessica Hewitt, Tom Kotiranta. [12] Melissa Reed, Roger Baltayan. [13] Steve Williams, Brandon Williams. [14] Shannon McKenna, Ryan Padawang, Andrea Copeland. [15] Ryan Giffin, Kevin Harris. building-products.com

SERVING THE LUMBER INDUSTRY / SINCE 1901 (formerly Lumber Blue Book)

A 526 MEDIA GROUP, INC. COMPANY – SERVING THE LUMBER INDUSTRY SINCE 1922

MILLS -- WHOLESALERS WHOLESALERS --MANUFACTURERS MILLS MANUFACTURERS- -RETAIL RETAILYARDS YARDS- -TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION- -IMPORTERS IMPORTERS/ /EXPORTERS EXPORTERS

We have the most complete lumber-specific We have the most complete lumber-specific credit and business information in the world.

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------------| IN MEMORIAM

Nine of Jurisdiction VI) in 2012, and as longtime secretary/treasurer and president of the Southern California/ Inland Empire chapter No. 117.

Bruce Andrew Merino, 73, former Western Division president of Home Depot, Fullerton, Ca., died on June 20. After graduating from San Diego State, Bruce joined Handyman, San Diego, Ca., in 1972, working his way up to merchant. In 1984, he was hired as the first associate of Home Depot’s planned Western Division, developing its first merchandising programs, store layouts, and pricing and marketing strategy. He was named divisional merchandising manager in 1989, VP-merchandising in 1995, Western Division president in 1999, and president of the Expo Design Centers in 2005. He retired in 2009 and soon after joined the board of Universal Forest Products, serving for 15 years.

Charles Glenn “Chuck” Stout, 70, salesman with Sunpro, Nampa, Id., passed away on May 17 following complications from knee surgeries. After working alongside his father in home construction, Chuck joined Irrigator’s Lumber Co., Caldwell, Id., in 1977 as an outside salesman estimating whole-home packages. He later became co-owner. He continued his work with Capital Lumber, Lloyd Lumber, Campbell’s Siding & Window, and Stone Lumber (now Sunpro), where he worked until his passing. Chuck also served the Western Building Materials Association as president of its Young Westerners Club and later president of the WBMA, as well as a member of its board of directors and executive committee.

Michael Edwin Nicholson, 83, longtime Southern California lumber salesman, died on June 10. Mike spent the bulk of his career as a national accounts manager with All-Coast Forest Products, Chino, Ca., starting in the 1980s. He joined the sales team at Jones Wholesale Lumber, Lynwood, Ca., in 2013. He was an active member and leader with Hoo-Hoo International, serving as regional director (Supreme

Thomas Gary Herion, 86, retired VP of lumber sales for Potlatch Corp., Spokane, Wa., died on May 19. Tom earned an economics degree from St. Martins College, Lacey, Wa., and served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps before beginning his 30year career with Potlatch.

------------| CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE Rates: $1.20 per word (25 word minimum). Phone number counts as 1 word, address as 6. Centered copy/headline, $9 per line. Border, $9. Column inch rate: $65 per inch. Deadline: 10th of the previous month. Questions? Call (714) 486-2735.

HELP WANTED REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Northern California & Pacific Northwest U.S. Ready to grow a premium brand in the building materials industry? Kebony is seeking a driven sales leader to expand market share through architects, contractors, distributors and dealers. If you have experience selling premium construction products and a passion for sustainable building solutions, we’d like to hear from you. Remote | 50% Travel | Competitive Compensation. Email: hhughes@kebony.us. REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Northeastern U.S. Ready to grow a premium brand in the building materials industry? Kebony is seeking a driven sales leader to expand market share through architects, contractors, distributors and dealers. If you have experience selling premium construction products and a passion for sustainable building solutions, we’d like to hear from you. Remote | 50% Travel | Competitive Compensation Email: hhughes@kebony.us.

------------| DATE BOOK

Western Hardwood Assn. – Aug. 11-13, annual convention, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Lincoln City, Or.; www.westernhardwood.org.

Listings are often submitted months in advance. Always verify dates and locations with sponsor before making plans to attend.

International Woodworking Fair – Aug. 25-28, Atlanta, Ga.; www. iwfatlanta.com.

Inland Lumber Producers Assn. – July 9-10, annual golf tournament, Coeur d’Alene Resort, Coeur d’Alene, Id.; emily.scyphers@ifg.com.

National Hardwood Lumber Association – Aug. 26-28, intro to grading hardwood lumber, Highland Lumber & Mill, Fullerton, Ca.; nhla.com.

Amboy Territorial Days Logging Show – July 10-12, Amboy, Wa.; www. tdays.org.

Hoo-Hoo International – Sept. 8-12, international convention, Sydney, Australia; www.hoohoo.org.

Forest Products Society – July 14-17, international conference, Eugene, Or.; www.forestprod.org.

BC Wood Global Buyers Mission – Sept. 10-12, Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler, B.C.; www.globalbuyersmission.com.

South Fork Loggers Day Festival– July 17-19, South Fork, Co.; www. southfork.org.

American Wood Protection Association – Sept. 13-17, fall technical committee meetings, Orlando, Fl.; www.awpa.com.

Black Bart Hoo-Hoo Club – July 18, family picnic, Sturgeon’s Mill, Sebastopol, Ca.; www.hoohoo181.org.

World Millwork Alliance – Sept. 14-16, convention & show, Loews Pacific, Orlando, Fl.; www.worldmillworkalliance.com.

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association – July 22, golf tournament, Fossil Trace Golf Club, Golden, Co.; www. mslbmda.org.

National Hardwood Lumber Association – Sept. 16-18, annual convention & show, Cleveland, Oh.; www.nhla.com.

PCBC – July 27-30, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, Ca.; www. pcbc.com. Morton Loggers Annual Jubilee – Aug. 7-9, Morton, Wa.; www. loggersjubilee.com. Fastmarkets – Aug. 11-12, Forest Products Latin America Conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil; www.fastmarkets.com.

Mountain States Lumber & Building Material Dealers Assn. – Sept. 17, clay shoot, Colorado Clays, Brighton, Co.; www.mslbmda.org. Ace Hardware – Sept. 22-24, convention, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fl.; acehardware.com. Timber Processing & Energy Expo – Sept. 23-25, Portland Expo Center, Portland, Or.; www.timberprocessingandenergyexpo.com.

Mid-States Distributing – Aug. 11-12, Fall Rendezvous, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Az.; www.msdist.com.

Southern California Hoo-Hoo Club – Sept. 25, annual Don Gregson Memorial golf tournament, Black Gold Golf Club, Yorba Linda, Ca.; www.hoo-hoo117.org.

Umpqua Valley Lumber Association – Aug. 11-13, Customer Appreciation Event, Umpqua Valley, Or.; www.umpqua.net.

Do it Best/True Value – Sept. 25-28, fall market, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, In.; www.doitbestmarket.com.

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------------| ADVERTISERS INDEX 37

Scan for the full story and video

APA–The Engineered Wood Assn. www.apawood.com

Provia www.provia.com

Arxada www.wolmanizedwood.com

13, 21

Redwood Empire www.buyredwood.com

Bowers Forest Products www.j-wood.org ® Hi-bor Borate Pressure Treated Wood

Storing millwork can be tough. Size variation, custom orders, temperature sensitivity—all can add to the challenges suppliers face as they seek efficient onsite storage solutions. That’s why Greg Zuern decided to try something completely different. Together with CT Darnell and Sunbelt Rack, Zuern Building Products consolidated all their millwork into one reimagined building for maximum efficiency. The results speak for themselves. Thanks to this change, they saw: 50% faster pick times $8MM more in deliveries with fewer trucks and drivers

FirePro® Fire Retardant Treated Wood

CT Darnell Providing Customer Satisfaction in 45All We Do. P.O. Box 75 • McMinnville, OR 97128 • 503-434-5450 • FAX: 888-TSO-WOOD (888-876-9663) www.ct-darnell.com 28770 Dike Road • Rainier OR 97048 • 503-556-1297 • Fax: 503-556-1709

Maximized inventory efficiency and increased SKU count by over 15%

Rosboro www.rosboro.com Advance Guard® Borate Pressure Treated Wood Royal Pacific Industries

* See product warranty for details. Hi-bor, FirePro and Advance Guard treated wood products are produced by independently owned and operated wood treating facilities. Hi-bor®, FirePro ® and Advance Guard® are registered trademarks of Koppers Performance Chemicals Inc. ©1/2019

CT-Darnell.com • Sunbelt-Rack.com • 800-353-0892

d-full-Horiz-050724.indd 1

Cover II

Doman Building Materials Royal Pacific Merchant half page ad 1_19.indd 1 www.domanbm.com

Swanson Group Sales Co. 1/21/19 5:53 PM www.swansongroup.biz

Elk Creek Forest Products www.elkcreekforest.com

Thunderbolt Wood Treating www.thunderboltwoodtreating.com

Freres Engineered Wood www.frereswood.com

Trimjoist www.trimjoist.com

Huff Lumber Co. www.hufflumber.com

Cover III

Viance www.treatedwood.com

Cover IV

Humboldt Sawmill www.mendoco.com

Western Woods, Inc. www.westernwoodsinc.com

KopCoat www.kopcoat.com

Weyerhaeuser Co. www.weyerhaeuser.com

NAWLA www.nawla.org

Cover I

Wild Hog Railing www.wildhogproducts.com

5/7/24 11:25 AM

SUMMER  ALL YEAR LONG

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July 2026

• the merchant magazine • 49

------------| FLASHBACK

80 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH

FLASHBACK:

POST-WAR BOOM EIGHTY YEARS AGO this month, The California Lumber Merchant took note of the insane building boom that hit the country in general—and the Los Angeles area in particular—after the end of World War II. As reported in the July 1946 issue of The Merchant: “Back in the good year 1923, we thought we had a world-beating building boom going on in Los Angeles. And we DID, compared with anything of the past, or in the remainder of the world. But it did not compare with the high tide of building being done in Los Angeles in 1946. For the first five months of 1923, the building permits totaled $78.8 million, while from January through May in 1946 the building permits reached a total of $109.8 million. In fact, the first 10 months of 1923 barely passed the record of the first five months of 1946, reaching a total of $112 million.

US GYPSUM long stressed innovation in its advertising, having pioneered Sheetrock drywall in 1917 and being on the verge of developing Durabond joint compound in the 1950s.

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Founded in 1906, Los Angeles-based distributor Western Hardwood Lumber Co. survived the Great Depression and World War II, but not long after fell into bankruptcy and was sold off in pieces.

It therefore appears very likely that the building in Los Angeles this year will without doubt double the record established in 1923. From a lumber standpoint, the record of 1946 over 1923 is even greater, because in 1923 this city enjoyed a great boom in downtown business buildings of the larger size and character, while so far in 1946 the building of homes is the dominant feature of the boom. It would be safe to guess that 1946 will build three or four times as many homes in Los Angeles as did 1923. The intake of lumber into the city has changed tremendously since 1923. At that time, about 90% of all lumber came in by water. Today the figures are reversed and fully 90% comes in by rail. Art Kayser, Southern California rep of the West Coast Lumbermen’s Association, estimates that on average 200 cars of lumber arrive in Los Angeles daily, carrying more than 25,000 ft. of lumber per car. This would indicate that a minimum of 130 million ft. of lumber is arriving in Los Angeles monthly, which also far surpasses the records of 1923. The shortage of lumber in Los Angeles is far less noticeable than that of many other important items of building materials, such as sash, doors, millwork, flooring, roofing, hardware, plumbing, wallboard and plywood. If the supply of these materials should show much increase, it would cause a still greater upward spurt in Los Angeles building. It is estimated that about 70 new retail lumberyards have started up in Los Angeles in the last eight months. One of the great Los Angeles industries now is commercial remanufacturing of lumber, meaning resawing, ripping and otherwise re-working large lumber items from the North into boards. There are eight or more large outfits engaged in this business in the city today, and they turn out about half a million ft. daily.” MM building-products.com

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