Southern pine industry moving forward

filon rHE FrFTH consecutive year. I' annual production of southern pine lumber has increased, providing a solid indicator that the climb back from the depths of the economic recession is finally signaling an improving industry picture.

From a low of 11.79 billion bd. ft. recorded in 2009, producers are on track to ship an estimated 15.3 billion bd. ft. in 2014. As the nation's economy recovers, traditional markets such as homebuilding are finally showing signs of activity. The repair and remodeling activity has helped sustain the industry through its roughest spells and is projected for some moderate gains. Offshore markets have been the salvation for many mills during tough times; customers around the globe are discovering the versatility of southern pine products.

Top Tools for Dealers

Dealers and distributors know they can rely on the tools provided by the Southern Forest Products Association to support and improve their lumber sales and retain satisfied customers. SFPA delivers the span tables, design values and everything else needed to specify and use southern pine products.

Twenty-four hours a day, a dealer can check the definitive southern pine ing-Products.com lumber "fact bank" with a visit to www.SouthernPine.com. Here, at one convenient website, is a dealer's information warehouse about southern pine products. Span tables continue to be the most popular item downloaded from the site, followed by selections from the more than two dozen reference publications offered reflect the new design values. See all cunent span for free PDF download.

Need help with the new design values for southern pine dimension lumber? They became effective June I, 2013, but questions remain about the changes and the impact on corresponding spans. SFPA provides all the background and reference information on a dedicated page, including answers to 21 questions about what the new design values mean to building professionals.

Within another section of this site. the latest values are provided in a user-friendly table format. Even with all the changes, the strength and stiffness of southem pine remain comparable to other softwood species used in residential and commercial construction. There's an increasing supply of mechanically graded lumber available, too, to be considered as a practical option. When it comes to building code enforcement of the new values and related spans, customers need to understand that codes are enforced by the state, regional or local jurisdiction, so exactly when enforcement begins can vary by thatjurisdiction.

In the field, SFPA's pocket span card includes the latest span information, including spans for using visually graded dimension lumber. as well as machine stress rated lumber and machine evaluated lumber. These cards are very popular with builders and building officials wanting a handy reference to spans on the jobsite. They could also be helpful guides to keep at any dealer's counter.

Other publications are available listing maximum spans for joists & rafters, plus size selection and allowable load tables for headers and beams that spotlight the uses for glued laminated southern pine products. These authoritative booklets are all provided as free PDF downloads from www.SouthernPine.com.

SP Floor to Ceiling

There's no match for the attractive, distinctive grain of southern pine materials used indoors. Designers look to southern pine patterns, available in a range of profiles, grades and sizes to accent any room in the house. When it comes to flooring, designers have many southern pine choices to suit almost any d6cor. Dealers can offer builders and remodelers the proper installation, finishing and maintenance tips using SFPA's Southern Pine Flooring guide. For details on ceiling, siding and paneling materials, a review of SFPA's Southern Pine Patterns booklet delivers tips on product selection and application. Both titles are free PDF downloads from www.SouthernPine.com.

Treated Lumber Offers Value

Building a deck, fence or gazebo? Pressure treated southern pine materials remain the best value for outdoor structures. Readily available in the dimensional sizes and lengths your customers most often need, treated southern