It’s stronger, more UV resistant, cooler under foot, and more mold-resistant than other PVC decks, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s consistently rated among the most attractive manufactured decking.

American Lumber is pleased to introduce Solstice in four new and highly realistic variegated hardwood colors (Ipe, Mahogany, Ironwood, and Walnut), as well as four classic earthtone colors.

The grooved decking is dual-sided, with two colors to a board – basically cutting the number of SKU’s in half and making it more efficient to stock the product.

The sun is any manufactured deck’s worst enemy, but Solstice can take the heat. Solstice features patented SunShield technology to resist fading and reduce heat build-up, and carries the industry’s most extensive lifetime limited warranty with 25 years fade and stain warranty.

If you haven’t seen Solstice yet, please give us a call and let us show you why it’s the best PVC decking on the market. We know you’ll be impressed.

Click herefor more information about Solstice PVC Decking.

Fortress Iron, maker of prefabricated customizable iron railing systems, has upgraded the coating system and increased the term of its Warranty from 10 years to 15 years.

All Fortress Iron Railingis now manufactured with four-stage 'FortressShield', a galvanized steel surface, zinc phosphate anti-corrosive treatment, DuPont™ E-Coat, and DuPont™ Powder Coat, which according to the manufacturer creates a highly rust-resistant, strong and durable rail.

American Lumber is honored to receive the 2010 ProSales Excellence Award, "the most prestigious award in the construction supply industry". 

"The 2010 ProSales Excellence Award winners exemplify the smart, innovative, creative thinking that’s taking place at America’s best construction supply companies even as we suffer through the worst housing market in decades," said Craig Webb, editor, ProSales magazine.

"The judges were impressed by how well-conceived American Lumber's marketing campaign was, as simple and forthright as the message might seem," added Webb. "Its research showed that, these days, the lumberyards that lie at the heart of American Lumber's customer base value the ability to buy in smaller quantities. By declaring 'We want your small orders,' American Lumber emphasizes capabilities that make it special, and speaks to the relevant business needs of the times.  Adapting both message and service to the changing business environment helped American win the Excellence Award."

Small orders  are more challenging to execute.  There is no question that a stocking distribution wholesaler's efficiency is greatest when it comes to stocking orders shipped in original mill packs.  But it makes sense for many dealers at least some of the time, because set against the additional cost is the efficiency of just-in-time, just-as-needed ordering, as well as improved cash flow.  We are determined to help our customers get through the worst downturn since the Great Depression, and we have the ability to service small orders because we have a built-in competence at servicing custom orders of all sizes.  What many dealers need right now is the ability to outsource more of their warehouse function, and American Lumber wants to be their first choice for that.  That is the reason for this ad campaign. 

"The ProSales Excellence Awards honor outstanding achievements in construction supply in showroom design, facility design, technology, marketing and customer service, advertising, and Web sites. The awards program honors business leaders whose creativity and ingenuity have not only improved and reinvigorated their own companies, but also set new benchmarks for service in the entire industry."

We thank The James Group for their assistance in crafting the winning campaign.

New videos help show how well QuietRock isolates noise and how easy it is to work with new QuietRock EZ-Snap.

Matt Risinger builds green homes and blogs about it.  Here, he demonstrates QuietRock in action in one of his recently completed projects.

In addition, QuietRock recently released a video demonstrating how, unlike any other soundproof drywall product on the market, QuietRock EZ-Snap offers a true score and snap that is every bit as simple as installing standard drywall.

Both videos can be found, along with helpful links and information, on American Lumber's QuietRock page.

American Lumber graced the cover of Green Building Product Dealer Magazine last month and was the subject of the feature story “Rightsizing Green”. 

Read the article here

The theme of this issue was the contrast between a startup “green” niche distributor who had recently given up trading in some markets, and the success of a traditional distributor who has embraced green building.

It seems likely the future of green building distribution lies with traditional dealers and distributors, rather than an alternative niche market.  If you look at the dealers who are now known for green building supply – say, Sterritt Lumber, or Green Depot – they are long-established players who have taken on a new category.

This is certainly true in American’s case.  Our operational and financial strength, coupled with our expertise, relationships, and existing product and customer base, makes it far easier for a company like American Lumber to become a distributor of choice in the evolving “green” market. 

The article notes we are making it easier to source certified wood through our ability to deliver job lots of FSC Certified lumber in an unmatched range of items.  It also points out that we arm our customers with the product knowledge to more effectively advertise the green aspects of our product line, for example by providing easy-to-read NAHB and LEED category information for all our specialty products on our website.

We’re very pleased that Green Building Product Dealer appreciates that the face of green building distribution may be a company like American that has been earning dealer and manufacturer trust for 90 years.

New prefinished cellular PVC shingles from NuCedar are practically indistinguishable from real cedar shingles.  

Produced in a modern saw mill (not molded), each NuCedar shingle is distinctively unique – allowing installers to replicate the quilting effect that until now could only be created with cedar shingles. Even the 4' Shingle Panels are made up of unique sets of individual shingles; allowing a more efficient installation without the appearance of noticeable repeating patterns.

In previewing these shingles with dealers, we’ve been struck by how frequently they were at first mistaken for real wood.  NuCedar has achieved texture and color variation that looks completely real when installed.  Aside from being as close to zero maintenance as you can get, it’s cost competitive with cedar shingles at the time of installation.  And as you won’t ever have to recoat or replace it, its value only grows over time.

Like all NuCedar products, including clapboard, vertical siding, and complementary trim and mouldings, NuCedar shingles are pre-finishes in any color imaginable.  All prefinishing is done in-house utilizing a solar-reflective coating from Sherwin-Williams® and carries a Lifetime Limited Warranty against chipping, peeling or cracking.

The Lumber Co-operator, a trade magazine serving LBM dealers in the Northeast, recently noted American Lumber's market-leading position in FSC Certified specialty lumber.

Click Here for full text.

The New York Times recently featured a QuietRock customer at 37 Bridge Street in Brooklyn, NY in a piece on the importance of building for acoustical comfort.  The builder is installing QuietRock in the party- and demising- wall assemblies for this historic former soap factory being transformed into multifamily housing. Often ...

Click here to view...

Greenbuildingadvisor.com, an online green building information resource, has just released a free white paper offering tips for home builders and remodelers on how to distinguish themselves as an authority on green building... 

The paper outlines seven steps to gaining an edge in this increasingly competitive marketplace.

Download the paper here