Profit opportunities in premium treated wood

fN rHr vtost of the current retail ldoldrums. there are some bright spots for treatcd wood. Or, at least. some spots with modest flickerin-e.

Reports from dealers indicate that treated wood has not been hit as hard by the economic situation as have more expcnsive alternatives. The percentage of decks using composites and tropical hardwoods appears to have decre'ased. or ut least quit growing..

Greg Couch, sales manager at Metro Building Products, Woodstock.

Ga., says, "l think wood is making a comeback." The reason is not known for certain, but likely results tiom the lower cost of treated wood. Greg offered an additional reason: There is a market fbr premium treated decking.

Homeowners appreciate the appearance of wood, but wish to minimize the natural characteristic of wood to warp and thc need for periodic coating to maintain its appearance. Many upscale deck contractors moved from treated wood to composites and tropical hardwoods. but some are rcturning.

With the large gap in priccs between treated decking and other options, therc is plenty of room for treated material with enhanced features. It is possible to offer the look and environmental benefits of wood. while minimizing the probability ol' warping-and doing so at at price that remains desirable. Enhanced f-eaturcs include l'uller thicknesses, high grades. kiln drying aftcr treatment, built-in water repellent. kerfs. crowned topsides, beveled sides, and prescribed saw cuts.

All of thesc fcatures cost more money and may rcquire close partnership with ir coopcrali\e tfcatins company. They are not suited for every dealer. But, many dealers could profit from stocking premium prescrved decking. It would not compete against regular treated decking, but against composites. And it would not entail replacing existing stock, but just adding two or three SKUs. Wood used for understructure would not change.

Fuller thicknesses. Instead of 5/4 decking, dealers can offer 2" decking. It's stronger, which results in a more solid surface and allows for sreater joist spacing.

High-grade decking. Typical treated decking is now Standard 5/4, sometimes Premium 514. Enhanced decking could be nominal 2x6 lumber that is Dense Select Structural or C&Btr. Higher grades are more expensive than lower grades, but customers will often pay more for products that are better looking.

Kiln drying after treatment. Wood that is re-dried after treatment. either KDAT (kiln dried after treatment) or ADAT (air dried after treatment), is lighter in weight and easier built-in water repellent is beneficial. The recommendation for surface coating is not eliminated, but the initial application is less critical and performance is improved. hollow centers. When used for deck lighting, electrical wires can be run up their centers, avoiding external wiring. to handle. Probably more important, it has been dried under controlled conditions that are less likely to result in bowed or twisted lumber than is wood that dries in place after installation. This reduces exchanges and complaints from customers.

Kerfs. Deck boards can be sawn with kerfs on their bottom sides to relieve stresses in the wood and thereby reduce warping.

Crown topsides. For a better appearance and to shed rain, some producers mill deck boards with a slightly crowned top surface. This also removes surface discoloration and blemishes.

A Georgia deck builder, John Paulin of Tailor Decks, is a huge fan of wood decks and, especially, decks made with premium treated lumber. He thinks that composite decking is pretty, but isn't as inviting as wood.

LAMINATED DECK COLUMNS are less likely to twist or bow than solid timbers, and they allow for interior wiring of lamps.

Built-in water repellent. Properly treated wood will resist termite damage and fungal decay for decades, but the wood is not protected against the stress of swelling and shrinking caused by moisture. That is why periodic coating with water repellent is recommended for aesthetically sensitive areas such as deck platforms and railings.

For deep-seated defense against dimensional change and cracking,

Beveled sides. A recent innovation is tapered, or beveled, sides. Adjacent deck boards are closer at their tops than bottoms. This shape makes it easier for rain and debris to fall between boards without being trapped.

Prescribed saw cuts. It is possible to obtain Iumber that conlains no heartwood or no flat grain or to seek wood with tight rings. Such specifications are not common-they require a good relationship with suppliers - but they provide benefits to homeowners and can distinguish one dealer from his competitors.

The platform is not the only deck component where enhancements are possible. Deck columns and custom railings are others. Twisted 4x4s can cause construction difficulties and detract from the appearance of a deck. Twisting is largely precluded by use of laminated deck columns. Combining smaller pieces of wood into a post helps to cancel out the warping that can occur with a single, solid timber. Furthermore, laminated columns are often manufactured with

"I want to create outdoor spaces that people will enjoy using, not just admiring," Paulin says. "Real wood gives you an emotional warmth that you don't get with artificial wood products. If a client wants an artistic deck and insists on composites, I'll build it for them. But I prefer the environment you get with wood."

To satisfy his preferences, he developed his own specs, which include most of the features listed above. He has worked with two treating companies and a local dealer, along with their sawmill suppliers, to generate his own line of deck material: Tailored Wood. (John is willing to discuss his experience. He can be reached at john@tailordecks.com or www.tailordecks.com.)

Many consumers will not want to pay the premium price for premium treated wood. But, there is a significant portion who would choose highperformance wood over composite decking, particularly when the price is still below that of composites. For a dealer, this represents a profit opportunity. And it might necessitate only two or three new SKUs.