The Search for Building Supplies in 2020
Fall is here and with it comes the annual scramble to get projects buttoned up before winter sets in. As par for the course in 2020, this fall may be challenging as material shortages, in all species of lumber and composite deck boards, still loom.
Lumber and sheet good (OSB, plywood) prices rose sharply in 2020 due to a supply and demand shortage. Just when we thought lumber prices could not go any higher, they did and to sometimes astonishing levels. Why is did this happen in the first place? Here is our take on how COVID-19 is affecting the building supply industry.
Early in the year, when the pandemic was new and uncertainly high, many manufacturers made the inaccurate prediction that demand for materials would be low due to nationwide shutdowns. The decision to make and stock less material was the wrong call because manufacturers did not accurately assess what DIY’ers in quarantine would do. With time on their hands and nowhere to go but home, DIY projects exploded.
Examples of this surge were notably seen in the decking market. The price of southern yellow pine treated wood rose to record highs and thus inventory to record lows. Trying to source treated decking, was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The demand for composite and cedar deck boards was equally voracious. All the DIY’ers, in addition to relatively strong single-family construction and remodeling, pushed the limits of what a fully operationally supply chain could produce much less one that was mostly shut down. Yikes!
Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, we see little relief in sight in terms of product availability. As mills and suppliers struggle to catch up, backorders on decking, siding, and lumber are now commonplace. Additionally, we are seeing extended lead time on trusses, windows, and many other building supply items.
Like many others, you might be dreaming about replacing your deck, swapping out windows, doors, or taking on a winter project by finishing your basement. Whatever building project you may be contemplating, Glenbrook Building Supply is here to help you bring your quarantine induced dream to reality. However, please plan accordingly. It seems many are dreaming similar dreams!
Our thanks to all of you for your patience throughout 2020. Winter always slows things in our industry down a bit. Maybe, with a little luck, it will be enough to get the supply chain back on track. Glenbrook Building Supply, “A Good Place to Find!”
Introducing MoistureShield Composite Decking
Glenbrook Building Supply now carries MoistureShield brand composite decking!
MoistureShield differs from other types of composite decking because it can be not only installed traditionally on a deck frame, but also in the ground, or even underwater. Their innovative products are made of wood fibers that are individually encapsulated in plastic, to protect the decking material from water, insects, and environmental damage. Moistureshield calls this Sold Core technology.
MoistureShield has a variety of uses. Even in our harsh winters, Moistureshield is tough enough to withstand the elements and de-icing salt on your deck is no problem! Installing a pool? Certain Moistureshield styles meet or exceed OSHA’s recommended slip resistance. Slip resistance geared for high-traffic commercial spaces and composite technology designed tough enough for marinas and docks.
If durability doesn’t have you sold, here are some other great features of MoistureShield Composite Decking:
• 95% recycled materials
• 30-year fade and stain warranty
• 50-year transferable structural warranty
• CoolDeck® Technology with 35% less heat absorption than other brands
Visit Glenbrook Building Supply today for samples and pricing. When you work with MoistureShield and Glenbrook, you know that you are working with a winning team!
The Benefits of Permanent Wood Foundations
For those of you contemplating a new home, a new basement, or replacement foundation, you might want to consider a permanent wood foundation as an alternative to concrete. What you will find, is comfort like no other foundation – warmer, dryer, and energy efficient. Ask somebody who has one and they are sure to tell you how comfortable they are (especially in winter).
Permanent wood foundations are constructed from wood that is specifically treated for below ground use. It will not rot or become consumed by insects, as the food value of the wood is removed upon treatment. They are designed to withstand the earth pressures by sizing the studs right, adding shear walls, and proper connection to the main structure with fasteners. Wood foundations include counterforts, blocking, and backfilling AFTER the bottom plates are secure and the foundation is “capped” to ensure their durability.
Like poured concrete or concrete block foundations, permanent wood foundations need a rock or concrete footing.
Insulating a wood foundation is much easier than concrete, as all the insulating is done from the interior, with insulation in the stud cavities. A minimum 2”x8” stud, provides enough depth to achieve more than the required basement “R -value” here in Minnesota.
What else does a permanent wood foundation offer?
- Faster construction as it can be panelized in a factory
- Flexibility in architectural design
- More basement square footage as no basement furring walls are needed
- Easier basement finishing with wiring run right through the exterior wall studs
- Siding the exterior of your home close to ground level
If your interest has been peaked on an energy efficient foundation alternative to concrete, then let us answer any additional questions you might have. We can even put together an estimate for the cost of your foundation and since we are a one stop shop, all your other construction needs (windows, doors, millwork, etc.) can be quoted at the same time. Just go to info@glenbrooklumber.com. Glenbrook Building Supply is the sister company to Edgebuilder, which specializes in panelized walls (including foundation panels).
Featured Window Manufacturer: Marvin Windows
As the industry moves full steam ahead into peak construction season, we wanted to highlight one of our top-selling window manufacturers: Marvin. Marvin is the largest made-to-order wood window and door manufacturer in the world, and their Signature Series is the largest made-to-order wood window manufacturer in the country. Some benefits of Marvin products include:
- A full line of replacement windows for homeowners looking to update and create a more energy efficient home.
- Custom work that will be built with the customer’s specific requirements in mind. They do not have a stockpile of inventory completed projects.
- Because of that high-quality custom services, they have an extensive variety of shapes, style, colors, and overall options.
- A family-run business dedicated to quality products and customer service. Marvin began in 1912, and the Marvin family is still actively involved in the day-to-day operation to ensure it sticks to their high standards. This has earned them an outstanding reputation in the industry, which is why we are proud to have their products.
In terms of window installation, Marvin has several product lines to serve the many needs of the industry. The Essential Series features interior and exteriors made of fiberglass, which makes them a versatile and durable choice. The Elevate Series has exteriors made of fiberglass and interiors made with high-quality wood, which add warmth and aesthetic to your home. The Signature Ultimate line has aluminum cladding and wood interiors. Additionally, the fiberglass they use is Ultrex®, a highly durable fiberglass material that’s Energy Star qualified and practically maintenance free.
Here’s a visual look at the amazing variety contractors can offer their clients through the Marvin collections.
Marvin Essential Collection
Marvin Elevate Collection
Marvin Signature Ultimate Collection
We’re proud to carry Marvin products and would love to help you pick out the perfect window for your clients’ needs. Glenbrook Building Supply has been serving pro contractors since 1988. Contact us to learn how we can be your one-stop shop for building materials.
Conventional wood framing using component wall panels from EdgeBuilder
Residential home builders, it’s time to consider a new way to frame. Wall panels from EdgeBuilder take traditional “stick built” framing to a faster and more reliable level. Built in a controlled environment and delivered preassembled to your jobsite, our walls panels are custom made to your exact specifications, so they are ready to install immediately. This leaves your builds with less exposure to the elements and helps you move from build to build in a more efficient way.
Whether Glenbrook Lumber designs your home for you, or you provide us with architectural drawings by others, our wall panel designers break your project into bundles of pre-framed wall panels. We then ship the bundles to site according to your framing sequence, with drawings that detail and match the numbers on the wall panels.
Our designers use specialized software that gives us a 3-D view of your home, with the ability to see HVAC runs, blocking needs, bearing for trusses, rough openings, and any other project specific framing considerations. Essentially, we try to make your build easier by putting the thought on the front end.
The results:
• Faster builds
• Less waste
• More time to move on to other projects
We can even do the basement. Our wood foundation division has been creating warm, dry lower levels for local homeowners for years.
Contact us to today for a wall panel quote on your next project!
info@glenbrooklumber.com or 651-770-9071
It’s Dock Season in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” and Badger Country.
If so, treat yourself to a brand-new dock system built by us. Or, how about renewing that metal-framed dock system with custom cedar dock tops built by us?
Glenbrook Building Supply, in conjunction with our sister company EdgeBuilder Wall Panels, manufactures custom dock sections and custom dock tops. Bring us your old and tired dock tops and we will make sure the newly rebuilt tops fit your existing frame(s).
Custom Insert Dock Panels Starting at $99 + tax.
- $99 will get you a 4×4 cedar panel with 3 stringers.
- We prefer to build off an old panel or signed off drawings / dimensions.
- There are 100’s of dock brands out there and no two are the same. Therefore, exact measurements are required.
- We will save the “cut out(s)” for you to do yourself on site.
- Lead time currently is 2-weeks.
Dock sections starting at only $109 + tax.
- 4’ x 8’ or 4’ x 10’ stock dimensions.
- Green Treated Southern Yellow Pine or Cedar Options
- 5/4 decking on topside
- 2” x 6” framing with a 2” x 4” brace on the underside
Hardware for above by Tommy Docks!
- We stock the 1 ¼” normal duty line of hardware.
- Special order from Tommy Docks – typically here in 2-days.
Glenbrook Building Supply is conveniently located in Oakdale, MN, serving the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. We are a “Good Place to Find” for all your lumber, decking, and home improvement needs. We are open to the public and are happy to sell you the materials if you are a do-it-yourselfer. Dock sections go fast (while supplies last).
Twin Cities Decking Headquarters
Glenbrook Building Supply, Inc. is the one-stop shop for decking and railing needs. Our experts are on hand to assist on best practices for deck framing per current codes and they are well-versed in all material types. The type of material used to build a deck greatly influences the look of the outdoor space as well as the life expectancy
Composite & PVC Decking: Trex, TimberTech, TimberTech AZEK (formerly Azek), Dekorators, Fiberon and more!
Composite wood decking is a mixture of wood fibers and plastic that are mixed with pigments to attain various colors. PVC decking is 100% plastic and is typically made from recycled materials. PVC decking is lighter than composite, making it easier to move around. Composites have a long lifespan and do not splinter or require routine maintenance such as sealing or staining. Simple, light pressure washing typically keep composite & PVC decking in top shape, .
Wood Decking: Select Selkirk Cedar and Brown/Green Treated
Still among the most common building materials, wood decking is less expensive than composite decking and can be very versatile. Many find the natural beauty of wood, hard to substitute. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and periodic staining help keep a wood deck in pristine condition.
Railing Materials: Westbury, TREX, Fiberon, TimberTech, Dekorators, Azek, and wood!
Just like deck boards, railings can be maintenance free. There are options such as aluminum, composite, vinyl, and acrylic materials:
- Aluminum deck railing is light, durable, and low maintenance. No need to concern yourself with rot or corrosion.
- Composite deck railing is also durable and low maintenance. It looks like wood, but has the stability of a synthetic where it won’t splinter, bow, or warp like wood.
- Vinyl deck railing is scratch resistant and doesn’t fade or crack. This is a great choice for more extreme climates.
If wood railings are the choice, wood spindles are available; or, hybrid railings can be constructed with a mix of wood and metal spindles for added beauty.
Glenbrook Building Supply has a huge selection of decking solutions for professional deck builders. We have many brands of deck boards displayed side-by-side in our showroom and our professional sales staff can help with deck building and code questions. We want the end result to be beautiful and structurally sound.
Glenbrook Building Supply, located in the Twin Cities, offers composite decking materials, metal railings, deck and porch boards, LED deck lighting, underdecking, treated wood and metal framing, posts and post wraps, pavers and more. Call us today to schedule a showroom appointment or visit our online virtual showroom at https://glenbrooklumber.com/virtual-tour today.
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