If it's red there's LEAD

Our industry is in an uproar with the EPA's RRP rule. By now most contractors are familar with this rule. If your not here's a little synopsis:

EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices. Individuals can become certified renovators by taking an eight-hour training course from an EPA-approved training provider.

Niece Lumber hosted three of the training seminars locally. These were well attended events and close to 100 local contractors were able to get certified. We've had demand for hosting another class or two. And we may do so later in the summer. Just this week the EPA annouced the following which should protect the contractors that are not yet certified (thanks to Qualified Remodeler for this)

http://www.qualifiedremodeler.com/web/online/Industry-News/EPA-Announces-Delay-of-Lead-Paint-Rule-Enforcement-/38$2099

If you are certified, please read the EPA memo closely and continue to practice your lead safety techniques as taught in your RRP classes.

For products related to the RRP rule stop by our store, we have inventory on the Instant Lead Testing kits by Lead Check ($31.04 for an 8 pack) and Dustless Technologies HEPA vacuum ($476.99 w/ contractor price factored in).

That is all!

HidFast and AZEK Deck

We hear this comment over and over, "How can you install AZEK Deck without it being a grooved board"? Some deck manufacturers make you think you need a grooved deck board because they also produce a hidden clip to go with their decking lines. AZEK Deck is an entirely different story. Last year, we saw the emergence of Cortex fasteners from Fastenmaster. Cortex is a countersinking screw and plug system. No pre-drilling is required, just grab your impact gun and start plugging. Cortex has just released plugs for the new AZEK Colors (Redland Rose, Acacia, Morado, Sedona and Tahoe). At that time Cortex was a great system, not very labor intensive but a bit tedious on large jobs. Now Cortex is the secondary fastener to all of our AZEK Deck jobs we sell. Our go to fastener is HIDFast. HIDfast is the fastest, easiest way to get a fastener free surface for a lasting, beautiful appearance. Patented, worry-free, stainless steel fasteners are collated for easy handling and quick loading. Patent pending pneumatic tool delivers precise, consistent, effortless, installation. Cortex compliments the HIDFast tool perfectly. HIDFast is not convenient coming into the house because of the size of the tool. So your last 2 or 3 boards and your steps need Cortex.

We made a decision in house that composite deck boards are not the future, and neither is any deckboard with composite resins within it (ala Trex Transcends). We went out and increased our loyalty to AZEK Building Products and now only stock AZEK Deck. PVC is here to stay, its scratch and stain resistant, some brillant colors are available (with new options in the future) and its priced competively in the marketplace.

Why AZEK as opposed to Trex or Timbertech. AZEK is the leader in PVC deck segment and they acquired the company who developed this segment, Procell in 2007. Both Timbertech and Trex hurried to versions of their PVC lines to the market and they initially fell flat on their faces. Trex PVC deck never took off and Timbertech's had some serious issues with their "first generation" PVC in 2008. Trex instead has concentrated on creating their own segment in the market with their Transcends line. Personally I don't get it. It has a funky look, it reminds me of an old pressure treated or cedar deck with grain raising and a coat of solid stain on it. I also don't believe in anything that isn't 100% encapsulated, Trex has left their underside open and only cap three sides. Look at the inside of this Transcends product and it looks filled with all the "buyback" material from the past couple of years, the same product many consumers had issues with. That previous comment is unsubstantiated but it makes me wander what they did with all the material that they bought back from distributors two years ago.

Hopefully this was a good read for you all. We are 110% committed to the AZEK product line and put the Niece Lumber name behind it. If you ever have questions regarding decking materials, shoot me an email, mcurrie@niecelumber.com

Waiting on Spring

Snow is never good for our business. We can't operate at full capacity until its cleaned up, our contractor customers are forced to work indoors and abandon their outdoor work, and homeowners are left to dig themselves for days. Some folks will say to us, "well you must sell alot of rock salt", and they are right, but we use just as much salting our paved property which spans two city blocks. So needless to say we are anxiously awaiting the big melt and putting our business back in drive.

Be on the lookout for our new outdoor deck display. Located in the same spot as our pre-existing display, our new display will be state of the art in all facets. Nothing will be spared in way of design and products. The latest and greatest in decking, railing, and lighting options will be on display. Immediately our customers will notice a few crazy design options:

• A half round bump out around an existing tree
• Curved railing to accomadate the half round bumpout
• Radiused step up from the parking lot w/ factory bent deck boards

Outside of these crazy design ideas, our deck will be complete with hidden fasteners, and a wide array of low voltage lights from Aurora deck lighting (for more information www.auroradecklighting.com). Our decking surfaces on display will feature AZEK Deck, Ecolife treated decking, and Ipe. For more information on AZEK Deck and Ecolife check out www.azek.com and www.treatedwood.com

Please pardon our appearence during this time, we should have the completed deck display done by the first week of April (barring any more snow)

If you have any questions on anything related to an upcoming deck project, give Marc a shout, mcurrie@niecelumber.com Marc is devoted to the decking products offered at Niece Lumber and knows everything about the products we sell and don't sell.

Walking the Builders Show from New Jersey

Believe me, I wanted to be there, the International Builders Show 2010 in Las Vegas...Sin City baby!!! But my wife and I are expecting our first child in a few weeks, so I'll just have to wait until the 2011 show. I feel like I've seen much of the show because of the coverage I'm getting from industry tweeps...yeah I said it, the people I follow on Twitter are going above and beyond in relaying information that I find extremely useful. I'm grabbing alot of unbiased information from the media i.e. Charles Hudson, Katy Tomasulo, Lauren Hunter, BuilderNews, Nick Bajzek and more. I follow products and manufacturers that we have relationships with but I follow just as many that we have no affiliation with. To be the best on the retail side of it, its just as beneficial to know your product lines and the product lines of your competitors. I really think both Marvin Windows and Andersen Windows stepped up this year with their marketing efforts. We applaud you both. Others have increased their tweets and facebook postings but violate rule #1 in social media (its not all about you), a couple of brands that come to mind is an online flooring retailer and a popular fiber cement siding manufacturer. Maybe I just violated rule #2 (be nice to everyone in your social media channels). Anyway, thanks to everyone who went to IBS 2010, I know your feet are killing you and I'll see you all next year.

Short and sweet

Even though business has been somewhat on the slow side we've been fairly busy in the office. Some very cool things are in store for Niece Lumber in 2010, most of which are in our ever changing products offering. So as we sort through the latest and greatest for 2010, you'll hear about it here first.

Just a friendly reminder that the $1500 tax credit is going to be available for 2010. Many customers have taken advantage of it - if new windows or doors are in your future, act on it during 2010.

Check back next Friday for some serious offers and promotions that will be honored for the rest of January.

Take Care!