Updates on the building industry products we sell.
Building materials change as the industry changes. Here is the latest on some of the products our Lakewood and Fort Lupton lumber yards sell.
Timbers.
There are HUGE differences in the quality of timberes. Front Range Lumber prides itself on stocking mainly “FOHC” (free of heart center) timbers. Note: Our STOCKED inventory 6×6 (8’ and longer) is 100% FOHC — this means the timber has been cut so as to NOT include what used to be the center of the tree.
Any timber that DOES have the center of the tree WILL crack and twist far more than those that don’t. The cracking will radiate out from that tree center as the timber dries out.
Therefore, our FOHC timbers perform far better in such uses as pergolas and deck posts. While not the LEAST expensive option – think about it – one of the most visible components of a deck, pergola or porch are the posts. If any post cracks excessively – that gnarly crack really takes away from a great looking project.
It’s worth investing in the right timbers!
We carry 1×10 and 2×10 cedar, treated, pine boards and more.
Front Range Lumber in Fort Lupton and Lakewood carry a wide variety of items in both 1×10 and 2×10 sizes AND in many lengths. Most other suppliers do not carry 10″ widths as it adds to their inventory, they don’t think it’s important, and yes – 10″ is not the most popular size.
BUT if you want or need it, why settle for 12″ widths? In cedar, treated, pine boards and other items, come see us for what you really need.
Clear pine.
Clear pine has become VERY difficult to source, and is very expensive. [Clear pine is free of knots and other blemishes, resulting in a clear, uniform appearance.] There are a myriad of reasons for lack of product and cost, most simply boil down to the logs being harvested don’t have the stretches of clear portions needed to “extract” a clear board (or not very many).
But, there are alternatives we can easily help you with. Especially if you plan on painting it – buying a clear board in the first place seems a little unnecessary.
Come by our Fort Lupton or Lakewood store, or give us a call and we can help you with some good clear pine options.
Bending plywood.
Is there such a thing as bending plywood? Yes there is! Bending plywood is manufactured in a different way, with the veneers all in one direction. All other plywoods have the inner layers (plys/veneers) laid out in opposing directions to make the piece flat and rigid. Bending plywood is available to be installed around a column, for example.
It comes in sheets to bend in either the 8′ or the 4′ direction. Front Range Lumber can supply you with bending plywood and many other specialty building materials other suppliers don’t have the expertise or the patience to offer.
Fortress railings.
They’re well-thought-out product line, able to meet a huge variation of applications, mates great with their superior welding and finishing processes to provide a long lasting and reliable deck railing/fence option.
Gorman pine boards.
We’ve spoken about Gorman pine boards before, but they deserve a re-mention. We consider them to be the premium pine board in a #2 or clear grade to use.
Remember, we stock all widths and lengths: 1×4 through 1×12, 8’ to 16’ including 1×10 and 14’ lengths. We also stock CLEAR grade pine boards.
1×6 T&G redwood paneling/siding.
We believe both of our lumber yards are the only stocking dealers in the area carrying 1×6 T&G redwood paneling/siding.
This is just one redwood item among a broad spectrum of redwood inventory. We generally only stock redwood in the premium “B” grade which has minimal knots &/or defects!
Redwood meets/exceeds requirements.
Jefferson County, in particular, is upgrading their codes to limit uses of building materials in locations over 6000 feet in elevation.
Specifically, only non-combustible materials will be allowed on the exterior of all buildings. Tests have shown that REDWOOD may very well meet/exceed the requirements, thereby allowing you to enjoy a wood deck.
Check with both your governing jurisdiction, builder and supplier to verify.
Beetle kill pine availability.
While beetle kill/blue stain boards are readily available, supplies of plywood are tightening up. We’re also seeing declining “blueness” in the veneers on this type of plywood. Be aware of this in your project planning.
While supplies of 1x material in both boards and 1×6 T&G remains in good condition with our buying power and advance planning; supplies of decent 2x material remain inconsistent and of poor quality.
We do stock a “5/4” thickness for use in tabletops and other uses where a thicker piece is desired.
TREX – look before you buy.
With such a large number of colors in the TREX decking line-up, the biggest suggestion we have is to actually SEE and have sample pieces in hand to bring home to ensure you get the color you want. This gives you the opportunity to match your exterior colors, get an idea of what the decking looks like in the sun and so on.
Front Range Lumber is happy to provide FREE Trex color samples, including those in the new Enhance product line!
While the colors are available for online viewing, a real sample will help avoid a possible error on the large investment you might make, such as a deck.
Deck railings manufacturer.
The railing around your deck can easily become the most expensive “third” of a deck – the other two being the decking itself and all the under-framing and hardware.
An affordable and easily installed railing option is Wild Hog® railing panels. This code compliant 36” high by 6’ or 8’ wide panels come in a silver or flat black finish. Newly introduced is stainless steel in the same sizes.
With a minimal amount of installation effort, time and expense, you can set each 6’ or 8’ section very quickly between any deck post of your choice. In addition, 5×6 panels are available to be cut into panels needed for stair railings. Visit wildhograiling.com for more information.
Tyvek HomeWrap.
House wrap (the most popular brand is Tyvek) is available through many sources. The most important feature in house wraps is the perm factor or its permeability. Permeability is the state or quality of a membrane to allow liquids or gases to pass through it.
There are many different brands at varying prices in the marketplace all meeting code. Front Range Lumber only sells the Tyvek brand as it has the highest perm factor in the market.
A non-woven, breathable structure that stands apart from other types of house wraps, Tyvek HomeWrap promotes drying in wall systems and helps insulation perform closer to its R-value. It is more expensive, but as a one-time cost, the increased value is well worth the investment in saving on utility bills for decades to come.
Finger-joint primed molding changes.
Our finger-joint primed molding is being phased into another, better version named Gesso. This variety is machined and primed far better allowing for smoother finishes and without noticeable defects and joints. This molding will be at the same prices as previous versions.
Take a look at our Molding Catalog. It illustrates each profile (or style) of moulding in real size. I takes the guesswork out of choosing your chair rail, crown, baseboard, casing and more. The listing also indicates what type(s) of wood each profile is available in.
Tongue & groove rustic paneling.
Both of our locations sell a wide range of siding/paneling types, specifically in 1×6 sized, T&G pattern. These include beetle kill/blue stain, #2 pine, and knotty cedar.
We recently added 1×6 knotty Douglas fir to our mix. The fir version will vary much more in graining and color and the feed-back we get is it looks “more natural”.
If cedar or beetle kill don’t fit your needs, and #2 pine is too plain/uniform/vanilla-y, we’d recommend considering the economical Douglas fir option.
