EXPO 2009

June 11-13, 2009

in New Orleans

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February 13, 2009

Make Plans Now to Attend Midyear Meeting

It’s time to mark your calendars and reserve a hotel room for SFPA’s Midyear Meeting June 9-10 in New Orleans. You’ll also want to set aside a day or two to visit the 2009 Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition taking place right down the street at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Committee meetings and program updates are on tap for the Midyear Meeting, which will be held at the Westin New Orleans Canal Place. The Expo, set for June 11-13, will feature the latest in forest products machinery, technology and services, along with a two-day conference program covering topics related to sawmill efficiencies, cutting tools and wood bioenergy. To reserve a room at SFPA’s meeting rate, call the Westin at 888/627-8180 and mention that you’re attending the Southern Forest Products Association meeting. Expo offers additional hotels (click here for a list). To make reservations at those properties, call 800/243-1588 (indicate that you’re booking in conjunction with the Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Expo) or click here for online reservations.

Click here for a Midyear Meeting registration form and agenda. For questions, contact Dianne Breaux at 504/443-4464, ext. 225, or e-mail her at dbreaux@sfpa.org.    

Raised Floor Living Teams with Habitat

Under the banner of the Raised Floor Living program, the Southern Pine Council and APA are partnering with Habitat for Humanity affiliates in two coastal areas to compare the cost of building a home on a raised wood floor foundation versus a concrete slab. Pairs of identical homes, one on a raised floor foundation, one on a slab, are being built in Mobile, Ala., and Vero Beach, Fla. Raised Floor Living is underwriting the construction of the homes. SFPA and APA staff members are also providing technical expertise.

APA is heading the cost comparison study with the goal of determining the true time and cost differences for the two different foundation types. “While some builders have a good understanding of the complete cost of a building system, they oftentimes do not compare the most efficient and cost-competitive alternatives,” said APA Field Services Representative C.W. Macomber, who is leading the project.

Once the homes are completed, Habitat will review utility usage to see if either foundation style offers utility savings when compared to the other.

“Habitat for Humanity is always interested in trying different construction methodologies in a search for the most efficient way to build,” said Brenda Carson Lawless, CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County. “Our affiliate has participated in these types of comparison builds before, and we believe it is very valuable because it helps us choose the best methods of building for our families.”

Construction of the Mobile homes started this week under the capable hands of Habitat construction managers from throughout the country. The managers are in Mobile for Habitat’s Annual Construction Leadership Conference, where they learn about new construction techniques and directing volunteers. Construction of the Vero Beach homes is also scheduled to begin this month.

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian homebuilding organization that builds simple, decent homes in partnership with people in need who are living in substandard conditions. For more information about this project, contact Cathy Kaake, SFPA’s senior director of engineered and framing markets, at 504/443-4464, ext. 213, or ckaake@sfpa.org.

Mobile Area Residents to Hear Raised Floor Message

As Habitat for Humanity construction managers from around the country hammered in the background (see story above), SFPA and APA staff members taped segments about the advantages of raised wood floor foundations that will be aired in the Mobile, Ala., area. The first in a series of two-minute segments debuts March 16 on Mobile’s CBS affiliate, WKRG-TV. The five segments will rotate between the morning and evening news broadcasts for 17 weeks and run 12 weeks during the Saturday broadcast of “Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford.”

The first segment features SFPA President Digges Morgan and Mobile County Habitat for Humanity CEO Brenda Carson Lawless talking about Habitat’s mission and Raised Floor Living’s involvement in the Mobile project. Other segments feature SFPA’s Cathy Kaake, senior director of engineered and framing markets, explaining why raised floor foundations are the most effective and neighbor-friendly way to protect homes against flooding; APA’s Bob Clark discussing cost-effectiveness and wind-resistance; Richard Kleiner, SFPA’s director of treated markets, talking about curb appeal and other benefits provided by raised floor systems; and Russell Richardson, SFPA’s director of industrial markets, discussing environmental benefits of building with wood.

WKRG-TV also did a live report from the site during its noon news broadcast and produced a story that aired later (click here to view).

Green Building Standard Gains ANSI Approval

The American National Standards Institute has approved a “National Green Building Standard” developed through the National Association of Home Builders Research Center for all residential construction work, including single-family homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation. The standard defines what green practices can be incorporated into residential development and construction and how homeowners can operate and maintain their green homes. It is the first green building rating system approved by ANSI. Click here for additional information.

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