DeckThe Halls.,.

...the porch, a backyard deck or any other outdoor project. Whatever is on your customer's wish list, we at New South, Inc. have the right stuffto fill their stocking. From pressure treated dimension, boards and 5/4 RED to balusters, spindles, handrails and lattice, we 've got it all. And to make it easy for your customem, we designed the New South, Inc. "How To Build A Deck" video. Stepby-step instructions help the doit-yourselfer to complete a deck that lasts a lifetime while maximizing your profit potential.

As our special Christmas present to you, we are offering a free "How To Build A Deck" video with every truckload of treated lumber purchased from New South, Inc. between November 15 - December 31, 1991.- We at New South,Inc. take great pride in providing you with quality professional assistance and superior servicethe building material of a strong relationship with you.

Warmest wishes for the holidays and a bright New Year from your friends at New South, Inc.

A DEALER

Who Wants To

attract A non-residential contractors doing commercial framing must know the lumber products they need.

A yard may have some of them in inventory but have to special order others. Either way, salespeople must be familiar with lumber products commonly in demand.

Non-residential, commercial fi'aming requires #2 2x4s from the structural light framing category. These have a higher bending strength ratio than the construction, standard or utility grades used for light framing.

MSR (machine stress-rated) is another commercial framing product. A high stnength product, it is often used in tmsses. MSR means that each piece has been fed through a testing machine that bends it to measure stiffness. The stiffness measurements determine the assigned sEength values.

The strength and stiffness values (Fb and E) are stamped on each piece of MSR lumber, making it easy to sell to customers who order by design values. A salesperson can skip checking a design table. Some MSR grade stamps also include tension quality control (Ft) measurements.

MSR can usually be substituted in high strength applications normally using #2, if the strength values are equal or better. It's a product to consider because customers like its good looks and perceive it to be worth the slightly higher cost.

Long length joists are other specialty products sometimes required by commercial contractors. Extra length is customarily available as fingerjointed lumber. Short pieces of dry lumber are glued together, cut to the desired length and graded just like regular lumber. Because many of the undesirable characteristics are cut out in the process, stresses that cause warpage are relieved. Finger-joints stay straight, especially in hot weather. When projects such as condos require longer than normal lengths or espe- cially stable material, finger-joint is the product to recommend.

A salesperson must be able to recognize the difference between the two stamps that designate code accepted uses for finger-jointed lumber. "Studs use only" means that the lumber should be used only for wall studs where the pieces will be vertical. Pieces stamped "cert ext jnts" have been joined with a strong, watelprcof glue and are code accepted for use anywhere regular solid sawn lumber can be used.

Scaffolding is another special structural lumber. Framing grades should never be sold for this purpose. Only lumber stamped with a scaffold plank grade can be safely sold as scaffolding.

Timbers, lumber over 5" in thickness, are required by some contlactors. These can be used for large headers, ridge beams and girders. Timbers are divided into two use categories: beams and stringers, posts and timbers. Beams are usually used horizontally. Posts are usually used vertically. Both are 5x or larger.

Beams are rectangular while posts are square or within two inches of square. They both have the same grade, but beam sizes are stronger because they are graded for horizontal use. A 6x6 post could be substituted for a beam, but it would not span as far.

Westem lumber timbers may have different grade names depending upon whether Western Wood Products Association or West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau grades are used. Since timbers are shipped green, there will be no moisture content on the grade stamp. Timbers are never available dry, not even by special order.

Because timbers season in place, they may develop seasoning checks. Grade rules take this intc account, thus the checks don't weaken the timber.

Checks are a good sign that the timber is drying. They also give the timber a warm, rustic appearance appreciated by some builders.

If the warm, rustic look is rejected, seasoning checls and bow can be held to a minimum by using FOHC (freeof-heart-center). Seasoning checks are reduced when the piece has no heart pith. FOHC pieces can be picked out for an extra charge. When appearance is a major concem, glulam beams also are a possibility.

Decking is a companion product to timbers. It is commonly used in timber construction or whele beams are left exposed with the structural decking becoming the ceiling.

Story at a Glance

Baslc Informatlon salesmen need to sell structural lumber... products, orderlng Informatlon...grades and grade stamps...ways to get add-on sales.

Decking comes in two grades. Selected decking is for exposed use. Commercial decking can be used where appearance doesn't matter. Dimension lumber, #2 & btr 2x6s, for example, can be run to a decking pattem. This is okay for a sub floor or a truck bed, but a builder or architect will expect the high grade appearance and strength of an actual decking grade.

'Ihe grade mark on selected decking will be on the end or the back of each piece since the material is usually left exposed.

Add on sales are important to special structural lumber sales. Nails, metal connectors, plywood sidings, paneling, finishes, electrical wiring and wiring boxes can all be sold with a little jog to the conuactor's memory.