HOT READ
Building Materials Market News & Updates
Thursday, February 24th
|
|
Welcome to the Hamilton Hot Read, your regular source for lumber and building materials market news and updates. In this newsletter, you will find quick and informative takes on the building materials market and how Hamilton Building Supply is responding to assist with your ongoing projects. We hope you find this information useful and we encourage you to give us feedback as we develop this newsletter!
-Hamilton Team
|
|
Lumber & Commodities
Lumber and commodity pricing is starting to creep back up again as wood suppliers within our industry prepare for a very busy spring. Most conventional framing lumber is readily available with the exception of wide and long lengths. If you have a project that requires a significant of amount of wide (2x10, 2x12) and long (18' +) material, then please prioritize securing that material.
Just like a keg that's about to get kicked at a party, Engineered Wood is becoming a problem. That's not to say distributors are out of material to supply the market with, they're just starting to limit the number of cups dealers can have. In reality, most dealers are on some level of monthly allocation with their Engineered Wood distributor because supply is so tight, so if you have an upcoming project, be ready to secure your material sooner than later. No one wants to be left empty handed at the party.
PRO TIP: Consider alternative floor joist solutions like open web floor trusses from Triforce or Trimjoist, both available to specify at Hamilton.
|
|
Windows & Doors
Window and Door lead times remain fairly long on wood core products like Andersen and Marvin and haven't shown any signs of shortening to this point. Vinyl window lead times however are starting to improve but there's a caveat - if you want a black exterior (so hot right now), be prepared to wait a little longer. Reason for this is the black exterior is usually painted on and like everything else these days, prefinishing operations are overwhelmed and dealing with delays. Rule of thumb: Take your regular vinyl window lead time (8-16 weeks) and add 4 weeks if you want a dark color.
Alternatives to a cost efficient, black exterior window? Consider Marvin Essential. It's all fiberglass, priced competitively with vinyl and just like the original Ford Model T, comes in black.
What else is driving your window lead time? Varying products and components within an order. Window packages are complicated and can include extension jambs, mull kits, applied casings, sometimes the occasional casement or door unit. For some manufacturers, the more straightforward the window package is, the sooner it will be able to ship. Talk to your sales associate and come up with the most efficient plan for getting your window package as soon as possible.
|
|
Trim & Siding
We're continuing to see pricing pressure on imported and domestic primed pine. Expect to see price increases on primed pine coming within the next month. Composite trim and siding pricing has been fairly stable since we've realized price increases at the end of 2021.
Given the popularity of black windows and doors right now, we're seeing higher demand for black painted trim. The absolute best trim on the market to paint in dark colors is TruExterior , given its limited movement. TruExterior is readily available and in stock at Hamilton.
What's better than a trim you can paint black? How about a siding. DURATION Moulding & Millwork is manufactured out of TruExterior and shares all of the same properties as the trim product. DURATION is also in stock at Hamilton and is the best siding product for painting any color, all while looking as authentic as wood. Paint it black, black as night.
|
|
Deck & Rail
Ipe hardwood, commonly used for decking and porches has famously become one of the most affected products of the global supply chain crisis. Since Ipe is harvested and exported exclusively out of South America, it has become incredibly difficult for hardwoods importers to get their hands on adequate stock.
Since builders and project owners in the Northeast particularly love the look and resiliency of Ipe, a lot of us have been searching for a good alternative solution.
Now introducing, Torem, aka "Bulletwood", aka one of the closest products to Ipe you'll find on the market these days. Torem gained popularity in the Australian and New Zealand markets for many years before making its way to the states as an alternative to our beloved Ipe. Torem is on display at Hamilton and readily available by the job lot.
|
|
Hardware
If you haven't heard of Ox Tools yet, maybe it's time you take a little trip to Hamilton and treat yourself. Ox designs and manufacturers tools that are tough, dynamic and dependable. Whether you're framing, cutting, doing carpentry, drywall or masonry, Ox has the tools and the organizers for you. Hamilton is continuously building out it's inventory of Ox Tools for professional customers.
|
|
What's NEW at Hamilton
If you haven't done so yet, be sure to check out our online store and iNet account management portal. In the online store you can create estimates and order material at your account pricing. In the account management portal you can pay your bill online, view PDF's of all invoices and see orders that you have open.
Be sure to sign up for HBS SELECT for FREE delivery, FREE returns and a year end purchase rebate. Membership is $299 for the year.
March is going to be a big month for Hamilton, with many new updates ahead. Please stay tuned and don't hesitate to reach out to a sales associate for details on what's new!
If you like what you read here, please share with a friend who would find this information useful. They can join our Hot Read newsletter by clicking the link below.
|
|
Our Vision
_
"To be an equitable partner with our customers by providing unique and value-added building material solutions, supported by a dedicated team that always seeks positive experiences."
|
|
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
