Jackson Lumber & Millwork; Lawrence, MA: Quality Building Materials and Friendly Service Since 1946

Serving: Lawrence, MA | North Andover, MA | Andover, MA | Methuen, MA | Dracut, MA | Lowell, MA | Tewksbury, MA | Boxford, MA | Georgetown, MA | Groveland, MA | Rowley, MA | Newbury, MA | Merrimac, MA | Amesbury, MA | Haverhill, MA | Nashua, NH | Pelham, NH | Hudson, NH | Windham, NH | Londonderry, NH | Litchfield, NH | Merriack, NH | Amherst, NH | Hollis, NH | Tynsboro, NH | Pepperell, NH | Dunstable, NH | Newton, NH | Plaistow, NH | Atkinson, NH | Salem, NH | Raymond, NH | Epping, NH | Exeter, NH | Brentwood, NH | Manchester, NH | Derry, NH | Candia, NH |
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New Millwork Showroom

Jackson Lumber & Millwork is pleased to announce that we have opened a new Millwork Showroom in our Lawrence facility. Please be sure to stop by and check it out.

Click here to see our new Commercial Featuring the New Showroom on Youtube.

For your convience we have extended the hours that the showroom is open

Monday-Friday 7:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 2:00PM

Click here for more information

 

Tip of the Month

Choosing the right decking material for you.

There are plenty of options when it comes time to choose the right decking material. Recent advancements have developed many low maintenance products that look great and last a long time. When choosing a material keep in mind its durability, maintenance, and aesthetic appeal.
Deck framing structures are generally made out of pressure treated lumber, however the actual decking, can be made from a variety of woods or composites.

Composite Decking
The most modern and popular option for decks, composite decking is made from wood fiber and recycled plastic fibers. It is made in a variety of colors and textures to mimic real wood without the maintenance such as Timbertech. The smooth, even makeup of the decking means it will not warp, split, or splinter for barefoot enjoyment for years to come. Hidden fastener systems can be used with some types of decking for a true smooth, sleek look such as Conceal-Loc by Timbertech.
Most manufacturers warranty their product with a lifetime limited warranty. The true beauty of composite decking is that it never needs staining or sealing and will maintain the majority of its color for its lifetime. Simply wash the deck annually for beautiful results.
One drawback to composite decking is staining. As with any material, clean and treat stains immediately according to manufacturers instructions.
Composite decking is more flexible than wood, so the framing underneath the deck must be made from pressure treated lumber. Be sure to frame the deck to manufacturers' specifications or the material may sag or slump.

PVC Decking
Nearly identical to composite decking, PVC decking like Timbertech XLM has a PVC surface for added protection. This type offers unsurpassed stain, scratch, and mold resistance along with the convenience of soap and water cleaning. Patterns and colors are similar to those achievable with composite decking and also will give a sleek deck look.

Mahogany Decking
For a natural exotic look, philippine mahogany decking may be the right choice. Sawn from the meranti tree, today's mahogany decking creates the look of true mahogany from plantation grown trees. Philippine mahogany boards are absolutely clear with no knots and are kiln dried to resist shrinkage and swelling. For best results, mahogany should be sealed on all six sides (Top, Bottom, Edges & Ends) prior to installation and fastened with stainless steel fasteners. In order to keep your mahogany deck from looking weathered, seal as needed with a top quality finish – Be sure to ask about our Prefinished Mahoghany option. Please note: It is all or nothing when sealing mahogany, you should seal all 6 sides or leave it unfinished with excellent airflow around the surfaces in order to avoid cracking, cupping and splitting.

Cedar Decking
For a traditional, natural look, cedar decking is a good alternative. Cedar decking has a beautiful and unique knotty look. It can either be sealed on all six sides prior to installation or left to weather naturally to a silver-gray. It is naturally resistant to decay and insects, but may not be appropriate for high-traffic areas because of its softness.

Pressure Treated Decking
The most common and traditional decking option, Pressure Treated decking is Southern Yellow Pine treated with a chemical that makes it decay and termite resistant. It blends beautifully with any landscape and can be stained in a variety of colors to match any decor. Pressure treated is an economical, strong and durable decking option. This decking will weather over time and maintenance is important. Splinters may occur and as with any natural wood product, boards may warp, shrink or expand. Be sure to install with the grain making an arch, crown side up, so the decking does not cup.

 


 Industry News, Trends & Gauges

Source: AP Newswire
Date: 04/27/2011

Bargain prices thin supply of homes, clear path for recovery

WASHINGTON --- A wave of foreclosures is forcing down home prices in most major U.S. cities. But economists and real estate agents are noticing what they call a key first step for any housing recovery: a drop in the glut of homes for sale in markets hit hardest by foreclosures.

Low prices are leading investors to snap up foreclosed homes in Detroit, Las Vegas, Miami, Phoenix and Tampa. Those cut-rate sales are reducing prices in the short run. Yet they're also thinning the supply of homes -- clearing the way for higher prices in the long run.

For some buyers, the deals are now too good to pass up. A studio apartment on the Las Vegas strip that cost $500,000 at the height of the housing boom is now selling for roughly one-third that price. Half the homes listed in the Tampa Bay area are selling for less than $100,000, not far from some of Florida's top Gulf Coast beaches.

Such sales have helped shrink the combined supply of unsold homes in those five cities by 13 percent over the past year, according to local listing data analyzed by The Associated Press. Home prices in each of those markets are at or below 2002 levels, according to the latest reading of the Standard & Poor's/Case Shiller 20-city home price index.

"If we were to see several consecutive months of supply getting smaller, it would point to an improving housing market," said Celia Chen, the senior director at Moody's Analytics. "Even if it is investors buying them, they are renting them out in hopes that prices in the next several years will rise."

Economists caution that a second wave of foreclosures, those that have been delayed by banks and backlogged courts, could throw the housing market back into turmoil. And few see home prices rebounding before the end of this year.

Home prices fell from January to February in 19 of the 20 metro markets tracked by the Case-Shiller index. At least 10 major metro areas are at their lowest point since the housing bubble burst. The index, released Tuesday, is slightly above the level reached in April 2009, the lowest point since the downturn began.

Getting rid of foreclosures and other risky properties is necessary for the market to turn around. When foreclosures and distressed properties are sold, home prices fall.

But as the supply of cheap homes shrinks, prices stabilize. Homeowners who had put off moving because they didn't want to sell during the downturn grow confident they can fetch a decent price. That prompts more buying and selling. Prices rise more.


 
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