Pressed Truss Suppliers

This is a list of pressed truss suppliers by location. There are no manufacturers of timber trusses here. If you want quality timber trusses go to AmericanPoleAndTimber.com.

First, this is cool. See the truss calculator from Get-a-quote.

Truss manufacturers: Alpine engineering truss manufacturing members list

Truss Manufacturers Association of Texas (TMAT) members list

Wisconsin Truss Manufacturers Association members list

Stone Truss in California

Delta Truss, Inc of Florida

Ridgway Roof Truss Company in Florida

Razor Truss in South Carolina

Howarth Timber in the UK

Scherer Brother of Minnesota

Escondido Roof Truss Company in California

Concord Truss in New Jersey

Construction Resource Network

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Permits, Construction forms, Legal forms, Demand Letters & More!

Composite Decking Choices

There are now numerous choices for composite decking and lumber and, frankly, I think people are a little confused and maybe even misinformed. The growth of composite deck brands has been outrageous over the last few years and sales of composite lumber as a whole is expected to exceed $3 Billion in 2008 so I want to clear up a little of the confusion and bring some of the leading composites to light.

First, some of the negatives of composite decking materials are:

• Composite decking is typically NOT structural. This may not be true for all brands. This will become apparent if there is any kind of failure in your deck's substructure because the deck's surface will bow and bend with the underlying failures.
  
• Composite gets dirty easily. Stains, scratches, and mold usually form and show easily on most composite decking.
  
• Does not look like wood. While this is a matter of preference, just be honest about it. If you want composite - great - but please do not try to pretend that anyone will be fooled into thinking your composite decking is, or even looks similar to, wood (EVER).
  

Trex - Trex is made from reclaimed wood and plastic, comes in multiple colors and finishes, can be bent slightly to create contours in your deck, and can be installed using traditional screws.
ChoiceDek - ChoiceDek is a Weyerhauser product made from recycled wood and polyethylene and is only available at Lowe's. It comes in 4 colors, two finishes, and is very similar to Trex in that is can be bent slightly and installed using regular screws.
Correct Deck - Correct Deck is made from wood and polypropylene, comes in many colors, and can be installed using regular screws or with special hidden hardware so no screws show from the top.
TimberTech - Timbertech is made from "reclaimed wood fibers and pure plastic resins," comes in a variety of colors, and must be installed with their special hardware - meaning no screws show from the top but that you have to buy the special hardware. Timbertech also has a composite fence product.
EverGrain - Evergran is made from plastic and wood. It is available in many colors and can be installed using regular screws and hardware.
GeoDeck - GeoDeck is made of plastic and recycled plastic and blended with a mixture of "purified cellulose fibers and other minerals." It requires special hardware for installation and is available in three colors. GeoDeck's biggest claim is that their decking will not fade.
WeatherBest - WeatherBest is a Louisiana Pacific product made from wood flour and high density polyethylene. It is available in multiple colors and installs with regular screws.
Veranda - Veranda composite decking made by Universal Forest Products from a mixture of wood and plastic, comes in a variety of colors, and can be installed using regular deck screws. Veranda composite deck boards have two textures - one face is smooth and the other is wood-grain.
Eon - Eon Decking is "the only 100% plastic" decking product - whether you like that or not. Eon comes in 4 colors, has a wood-grain finish and looks like plastic (at least to me). Eon requires the use of the Eon fastener system for proper installation.

Tips for Composite Decking Installation and Care

• Pre-drill for all screws.


• Build a better/stronger substructure than you would for a regular wood deck.


• Keep the surface clean. Composites offer lower maintenance costs if you keep them clean - free of dirt, oils, a free standing water.

Small Wood Poles, Posts, and Dowels

This is a list of companies that sell small wood posts, poles, and dowels of unusual sizes. There are a variety of wood types including maple, oak, pine, birch, and mahogany.

If you are looking for 3" x 12' (or similar size) poles, Marks-Miller is the place for you.

Marks-Miller Post & Pole, Inc.
Wood LD
Woodworker's Supply
McFeely's
Anchor Fence Company Locust posts
Excel Dowel & Wood Products
Rockler
Hoover Fence

If you are looking for treated fence posts in large quantities or large poles and timbers, go to American Pole And Timber.

Horse Jump Poles

Where to find Horse Jump Poles. Materials include wood, vinyl, and even some other vinyl materials.

Old Dominion Jumps & Standards
Premier Equestrian
State Line Tack
Classy Courses Inc.
Next Day Jumps
Take 5 Equestrian
Light 'N Lasting
Jump 4 Joy

Also, look for horse jump poles in the menus at the left and top of this page as they change from time to time.

If you are looking for materials to make your own horse jump poles to save money I can tell you from experience it is tough to do unless you are producing some pretty major quantities. Also, jump poles are an irregular size for typical wood industry uses. For instance, it is difficult to find 3" diameter poles x 12' long - the size most commonly requested.

Barn Plans

I get asked about where to find barn plans and kits almost daily so here is a list of places to find barn plans and barn kits. There are usually some sites and helpful books listed at the margins of this blog as well so please look there.

BarnPlans - Plans for house barns, horse barns, even dog houses.
BarnsBarnsBarns - Plans for - and illustrations of - barns, stables, houses of many styles.
ABetterBarn - Do-it-yourself barn plans.
BarnPlan - Mix of sources for plans, materials, and ideas.
StableWise - Horse farm planning including barns and stables.
BackRoadHomes - Barns and cabins you can live in.
BarnsByGardener - Specializes in barn construction.
RodeoBarns - Barn kits with plans ready for assembly.
BarnMakers - Barn kits and they offer assembly guidance and labor.

Companies that Buy Old Barns or Sell Old Lumber

I field many questions about where to sell an old barn or where to sell the materials from an old barn. Alternatively, I get questions from people who want to buy old barns or old used barn wood siding or antique barn beams.

So, here is a list of companies that buy and/or sell old barn wood or used or antique lumber. Most do both to one degree or another so I have not separated them.

Old Barn Wood Site . com
Mountain Lumber . com
Antique Wood Co . com
Old Barn Wood . com
Antique Arbor . com
Old West Wood . com

I hope this helps you on your quest to sell your old barn or buy old or used lumber.

If you are simply looking for large timbers or poles, you can always go to www.AmericanPoleAndTimber.com.

The Timber House - of the Future

The Timber House is an interesting concept from Houses of the Future.

The Timber House uses timbers and timber-fiber products to create a home that blends well with a natural environment in both form and practicality.

Eco-friendly design is incorporated throughout the home from its integrated water management system to the solar power system that runs through the house (red streak in the picture at right).

In addition to being stylish and decidedly green, the Timber House is pre-manufactured and assembled on site using relatively low-tech methods and requiring little skilled labor.

I hope we see these catch on. Imagine a neighborhood made of these.