Sell more southern pillefor the WHOLE house!

firnov rHE FouNDAnoN through the I-' walls. ceilings and roo[. southern pine materials are durable, versatile products every lumber dealer can depend on.

As America's first lumber-dating back to Captain John Smith at Jamestown 400 years ago-southern pine is available in a wide range of sizes and grades to meet the demands of most any construction project. Add the features of pressure treatment with advanced preservatives and southern pine outshines nonwood alternatives for building outdoors, too, or where conditions for decay and termite attack warrant added protection from the elements.

The Southern Forest Products Association, promoting members' products under the Southern Pine Council banner, provides an extensive collection of materials and resources to help dealers and distributors boost their southern pine sales. SFPA materials not only help train employees but also educate customers on the proper selection and application of southern pine materials.

While dismal economic conditions persist, SFPA is working hard to manage the long, painful climb back to healthier markets. Buyers know the versatility and value southern pine affords their customers: exceptional strength, treatability and attractive appearance. And on a daily basis, SFPA supports dealers and distributors with the sales help they need.

Southern Pine: The ldeal Foundation

For more than 10 years, SFPA and the Southern Pine Council have actively promoted the merits of raised wood floor foundation systems. Successful lumber dealers know that when they promote raised floor foundations, fully a third more lumber is added to the typical new home framing package.

"Choosing the right foundation is an important decision for both the builder and the home buying client. For today's informed homebuyer and builder, a raised floor foundation system is the premium choice, with exceptional advantages in terms of aesthetics, comfort, security, and ease of construction," says Cathy Kaake, SFPA's senior director of engineered and framing markets.

Southern pine's superior strength and availability offers builders the best option for beams and floor joists. Cost-conscious contractors have discovered that treated wood pilings can provide significant savings over a traditional concrete grade beam with masonry piers when building a raised floor home. A wood floor system can also save the builder time and reduce labor costs.

SFPA provides a dedicated website, www.RaisedFloorl-iving.com, that presents all the facts and selling points of this proven foundation concept. The site is conveniently divided into two sections-one for consumers thinking of building a new home and one for building professionals. The pro side offers a handy locator where a search can be conducted to find a local professional architect, engineer, designer or contractor that has experience with raised floor construction techniques.

Treated Framing Suits the Whole House

Framing

\our customers are starting to noti olher dec*ing materials rrururitr|ft:::', t\fiuallY ever} color excePf one;

@TRLE,trSy

Ai alternalivr decking OSlions tome and g0,0ne lhing is clean lhere is no substilute {rr real, pressun-lrealed wood. Pretture-treated wood has a lower'enviro$mental impact than composites or plaslic, lt's safe,siionU,d$iablsil*ng"tatling r,, and dsJ'ivers a greater overall value, Simply put, nothing re[]aces the natural heauly of real wood, Beal woo*,The natural choic* for decks. ":'':': 'r':l','. :1:'' treated lumber is nothing new. Contractors know they can offer a client this value-added option, providing long-term protection in humid, high-moisture areas prone to termites and decay. Encourage buyers to use treated lumber, at minimum, in areas of the home around plumbing, such as kitchens and baths, where a pesky leak can lead to significant damage and attract termites.

Borate-treated southern pine lumber has been a fixture for sill plates for several years, and it's catching on as a popular choice for whole-house framing, too. In coastal markets from Houston to Jacksonville, increased uses for borate-treated materials is being noticed.

Whatever the southern pine framing choice, proper connections remain a most important consideration, especially in high-wind areas to meet updated and demanding code requirements. When a customer orders southern pine lumber, its excellent fastenerholding ability comes at no extra charge.

Southern Pine = Energy Efficiency

Framing with southern pine brings with it one important inherent feature of wood: excellent insulation proper- ties. Builders and remodelers are increasing energy efficiency by using 2x6 framing in exterior walls, affording more space for more insulation. Many options exist for insulating a raised floor foundation and the result is the same: improved comfort in the living areas when compared with a concrete slab-on-grade.

Top Off a Home with Treated Shakes

Treated southern pine roofing shakes, properly installed, can add a very distinctive look to a new home. Shakes can withstand high winds and brutal exposure to sun and rain and come with limited 50-year warranties. Though availability may be limited, treated shakes are just one more example of the versatility of southern pine.

Universal Design Galls for Treated Pirie

As America's population ages, more homes may need to incorporate a ramp for access. The versatility of treated southern pine is well suited to accommodate designs for access by seniors or the handicapped. Architects and builders know the long-term performance features and value of treated lumber outshines the competition from metal and nonwood alternatives. With every home, the design of a ramp will vary. Advise customers to check local building codes and ADA requirements. A dealer equipped with the right information can chalk up additional treated lumber sales.

Southern Pine Shines Indoors

Step inside the home and help your customers realize what southern pine products can do. With historically low demand for new residential construction, repair and remodeling activity is generating orders for southern pine specialty items-materials available in a range of patterns, sizes and grades that are ideal for projects all around the home.

A wood floor adds comfort and value. not to mention being a premium alternative to carpeting or ceramic tile. Southern pine flooring can enhance the look of any indoor space, whatever the d6cor.

The look of real wood for wall paneling and ceilings adds a dramatic flair to all rooms of the home, while contributing to lower utility bills. Remember, when it comes to being energy-efficient, wood is a natural insulator. Southern pine patterns are rcadill' availablc irr long lcngths to elinrinate or rcducc splicing. Clear or scrri-lnttrsparcnt finishcs dra\\ itttrtlti()lt to soutlrern pinc's distinctive grain. Nclt sttrc which pattcrn ivill bc a best-scller? Rcvic"v thc infbrntatictn attd lttodtrcl photos in thc Southern Pinc Cotrlrcil's btloklet "A CiLricle to Southcrn Pinc l)atterns." availatrlc as a ll'cc PDF downloacl at www.southct'rtpine.cottt.

TREATED PINE shakes add a distinctive look to roofs.

Sclling nrorc southcr-n pine l'looring. ltanelirtg ltnd tlthcr spccialty iterns starts ',vith krto"ving thc propcr installatiorr and rnaintenance tips. SFPA ancl thc Sotrthern Pirrc Cotrrtcil oflcr comprchensivc gr-rides lilr both interior I'looring and extcrior porch floolirrg. Printccl copics are available as a ficc PDF clownIoacl lltrrn w'r'n'r'r'.southcrnpine.conr.

A two-purt DVD prognull covers irtstallation o1'both niaterials f'r'orn stitrt to finish. For only $ 10, dealcrs can oblain a copy 1br thcir next cntplovce training session by visitin-e thc publicatittns scctiort ol' u'lvw.sttt-ttl.tctltpitte .etrttt ancl orderins AVlJO.

SFPA also has three staf'f ntcrttbers. ccrtif ietl by thc National Wood Flooring Associlrtion lts installcl's. ttr lnswer un1' questions clis{ributors and wholesalels trlight cncounle r ri'ith custoltters. Erlail inquirics ttt i nfb@ southcrnpi rrc.cc'rnr.

Promote Treated Lumber Sales

Salcs of trcatcd soulltorn pirtc fot' tttttclttor prir jccts catl bc enhancecl Lrsing ncw resources fronr thc Sttttthern Pinc Council. Deck builders ciul ltow iind thc kcy inlilrrnatittn r'IH itcti:zcl F loar F ct u ncl aiiens iuil! te i.r -i-ligitet

Start with a raised floor system of stronq, sustainable ' Southern Piie lumber

. Add o third more lumber to every froming packoge o Porches and decks boost treated lumber soles

. Free online listing for building professionals needed to build safe, durable decks and porches by visiting a new website, SouthernPineDecks.com.

"There's a lot of information and misinformation out there about the pros and cons of using real wood versus composites, and we thought it was time to tell people why pressure treated southern pine remains the best material available when building outdoors," reports SFPA's Russell

Richardson.

The site explains why treated southern pine decking is the preferred material, offers specification tips, covers steps in the building process, and more. Links to the American Wood Council's publication, Prescriptive Re sidential Wood Deck Construction Guide, appear throughout the site.

Help for building outdoors is available in print, too. The Southern Pine

Council has highlighted the information contained online and published a new l2-page booklet: Southern Pine Decks & Porches. This publication is aimed at professional deck builders and advanced do-it-yourselfers, offering design and construction guidance. It's loaded with striking photosimpressive views of completed decks and porches that showcase what treated southern pine lumber can do to naturally enhance any landscape. Like the online material, generous references to AWC's construction guide are included. A free PDF download is available at www.southernpine.com.

Southern Pine Online

Nearly 20 years ago, SFPA was one of the first wood products associations to host a website. Today, www.southernpine.com is the authoritative resource for product information, with a product locator to help dealers and distributors find sources of supply for more than 400 items.

And SFPA can help steer customers your way. Dealers stocking southern pine are encouraged to add their own free listing to the locator (southernpine.com/jointhelocator.asp).

Recently. the site was remodeled and upgraded, offering more features, easier navigation, and the latest product details. Span tables, treated lumber information-it's all here-a buyer's one-stop resource for southern pine lumber information.

Within the publications section of the site, SFPA's lumber library is a collection of helpful titles that dealers can rely on to help educate themselves and their customers about the proper selection and use of southern pine materials. Online, visitors can download a free PDF copy as a handy reference at their counters.

Answers to Gustomerst Questions

On a daily basis, dealers face plenty of questions from customers regarding the proper specification and application of lumber products:

What type of finish is best for this flooring?

. What's the maximum span for this load?

. What grade of lumber is required here?

Savvy lumber dealers already know how to find comprehensive product information online at www.southernpine.com. In addition, the Wood Products Help Desk offers personal assistance with more specific questions.

The Help Desk-a collaborative effort of the Southern Pine Council and APA-is located in Tacoma, Wa., and operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time. Product support specialist Merritt Kline expertly fields questions on a wide range of subjects, including roof and floor framing, wood foundations, interior flooring, plus outdoor decks and landscaping projects.

Reach the Help Desk at (253) 6207400 or help@southernpine.com.

SFPA: At Your Service

As SFPA approaches its 100th year, the association continues to conduct a wide range of promotional pro- grams, weathering every cyclical downturn. Providing the necessary services to its member companies and their customers while healthier markets are on the horizon, SFPA can help assure the long-term success of the southern pine lumber trade.

Complete information about SFPA programs and services is available at www.sfpa.org.

McShan Lumber Company, Inc.