Welcome to National Lumber’s Blog

Published May 26, 2022 Building Industry , Building Materials , Construction , Custom Millwork , Engineered Wood Products , Insulation , Lumber , Millwork , Paint , Pneumatic Tools , Reliable Truss , Remodeling , Turn-Key Framing 4 Comments

Founded in 1934, with ten lumberyards in New England, National Lumber has the experience and quality building materials you need for every project. Let National Lumber be the single source for all of your building and remodeling products. The National Lumber Family of Companies includes Reliable Truss, Pro Insulators, National Millwork, Kitchen Views, National Building Products, and Oxford Lumber — covering everything from the rimboard at the foundation to the roof shingles along with everything in between. Visit our websites to see all we have to offer.

Our blog will share information about the wide range of products and value-added services available to you. If you’d like to follow the blog via email, you can easily subscribe using the box at the right. Keep up-to-date with the latest events hosted by National Lumber as well as new products and services by joining our Constant Contact mailing list.

We’re ready to serve you. If you have any feedback, questions or concerns, be sure to leave a comment!

Drywall Expertise Makes a Difference

Published August 8, 2017 Building Industry , Building Materials , Did You Know , Drywall , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Scaffardi, Tim - drywall delivery, Waltham, MA home remodel IMG_2500

Did you know that National Lumber has drywall experts? In addition to carrying trusted drywall brands including Continental, Georgia-Pacific, National Gypsum, and US Gypsum we also carry the tools for drywall installation.

Continue reading ‘Drywall Expertise Makes a Difference’

Aging in Place Modifications: Practical & Stylish

Published May 10, 2017 Building Industry , Construction , Did You Know , Door Hardware , Doors , Helpful Hints , Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Portrait of happy senior woman cutting vegetables in kitchen

A 2015 Houzz report showed that over 50% of homeowners age 60+ are planning to age in place. As the baby boomer generation begins to enter the golden years, home construction and renovation contractors are seeing an increase in accessibility modifications being made. With more spending power than the younger millennial generation, the boomers are also a large player in the interior design industry; frequently updating their home to incorporate the latest design trends. Combining the need for accessibility with the desire to keep the attractive appearance of the home, these modifications are not only practical but stylish as well.  Read below for some simple yet important modifications to make to your home accessible for any generation.

Continue reading ‘Aging in Place Modifications: Practical & Stylish’

Massachusetts Energy Code Updates

Published January 17, 2017 Events , Green Building , News , Training Classes , Uncategorized Leave a Comment

On July 19, 2016, Massachusetts completed its base and stretch energy code update process.  Massachusetts has amended its 8th edition of the state’s building codes and these have taken effect as of January 1, 2017.   The adopted code includes state amendments to the base energy code (residential and commercial) as well as an updated stretch energy code.  These codes will be enforced through local building inspectors throughout the Commonwealth. These codes and their updates are developed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, both residential and commercial, resulting in cost savings and environmental benefits.

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National Lumber is proud to partner with Sustainable Energy Analytics and Johns Manville to offer a free seminar to review and discuss these changes.  The 1-hour presentation discusses the new energy codes and their application to residential and commercial buildings, mandatory requirements, paths to compliance, and much more.  A social hour will follow and speakers will be available to answer any questions not covered during the presentation.

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This seminar has been offered throughout December and January and have been very popular.  Another seminar is being planned for February.  While a date has not yet been set, contact Chris Kirouac at ckirouac@national-lumber.com or call or text Chris at 508-509-9329 to be the first to receive details. Provide your email address and receive a registration invitation when a date is announced.

Residential Contractors: Beware of OSHA Fines

Published August 26, 2016 OSHA Leave a Comment
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OSHA-acknowledged scaffold/fall protection in place and ready for roof installation.

In case that you didn’t know, OSHA increased their penalty fines by almost 80 percent on August 1st, 2016. This means that their Top Serious violation fine increased from $7,000 to over $12,000, and their Willful and Repeat fines increased from $70,000 to $125,000. The fine increase has prompted many contractors to double down on their safety training and to invest in the best safety equipment. It also has made many contractors realize the importance of OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certification training, but especially Fall Protection training.

Fall Protection is the number one violation cited by OSHA, so understandably, it’s definitely an area the construction industry as a whole needs to work on. It’s also important that all contractors have developed and implemented a proper safety manual and training program to keep both their workers and subcontractors safe.

Fortunately, companies such as The Contractor Coaching Partnership, among others, have been keeping up with the OSHA changes for you. These coaches are well-versed in OSHA regulations and will ensure that you develop the proper program and acquire the right equipment to keep your workers safe. The small investment now is well-worth avoiding hefty fines later, and of course, to avoid preventable work site injuries. Training companies offer both OSHA Fall Protection and OSHA 10 and 30 Certification courses on a regular basis. You also can often schedule individual sessions to fit your schedule.

However, you decide to do it, it’s imperative to get the proper training for you and your employees as soon as possible. Get the necessary certification, too, so that you can avoid even the more minor infractions. The fines exist for a good reason, as OSHA is trying to prevent as many injuries and deaths as possible and this seems to be the best way to motivate people to do so. Don’t get fined. Get trained and stay safe!

To make it more convenient for contractors, builders, and remodelers in Southeastern Massachusetts, National Lumber provides training opportunities in Fall Protection, OSHA certification, and other certification and training courses. These classes are offered by outside companies who use National Lumber’s training room above the Mansfield, MA store. You can see our latest classes on our website at www.national-lumber.com/events. If the provided dates or location does not work for you, feel free to contact any of our affiliated training companies directly for more information.

Be safe!

Insulate Your Attic for Year-Round Comfort and Cost Savings!

Published April 25, 2016 Insulation Leave a Comment
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Construction worker thermally insulating house attic with glass wool

The Cost vs Value Report released every year by Hanley Wood Remodeling is a benchmark for homeowners to see the potential return on investment of popular home improvement projects. This data is compiled by taking various recently remodeled homes that sold. One of the best projects for return on investment is installing new insulation in the attic. In particular, new fiberglass insulation is installed to cut down on potential heat loss. Because heat rises, this is one of the most important areas of the home to insulate. Good insulation saves on heating and cooling costs year-round!

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Installation of Fiberglass Batt Insulation

The national average of installing fiberglass insulation in the attic is about $1268 according to the Cost vs Value Report. At resale, this upgrade recoups an average of $1468. That’s a 117 percent return on investment. When you look at the regional statistics for New England, the cost is roughly the same, $1292. But the average.return on investment is $1858, a return of 144 percent. This doesn’t even include the residual savings in heating and cooling costs during the life of the new insulation, which can be up to 20 percent. ENERGY STAR has a good tool for estimating energy savings from effective air sealing and insulation.

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Installing Spray Foam Fiberglass Insulation Into Wall Cavity

Aesthetically, installing attic insulation isn’t exciting. But because of how much it adds to a home’s energy efficiency and performance, it’s becoming more of a focus than ever. Being highlighted in the Cost vs Value Report is making attic insulation more popular to install than ever. When it comes to comfort, it’s well worth the $1200-1300 of investments. Knowing you can get all that money back plus 20 to 40 percent at resale is a big selling point, plus as much as a 20 percent cost savings in energy costs.

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Retrofitting an Older Home with Blown-In Fiberglass Insulation

Also, having properly installed quality insulation is necessary in gaining ENERGY STAR certification for your home. Pro Insulators, a division of National Lumber, has expert installation teams and the best available insulation products. Homeowners and contractors alike are quite happy with the work of the Pro Insulators teams. We provide the expertise to meet ENERGY STAR certification requirements for builders and timely, reliable service to homeowners retrofitting older homes.

Being one of the most cost-effective home improvements for homeowners and a selling point for newer homes, proper attic insulation and air sealing is well worth the investment. Not only can Pro Insulators bring your home up to the latest local and state building codes, but you can enjoy a more comfortable home for decades to come.

Living Large – Decks Extend Living Spaces

Published April 14, 2016 Building Materials , Decking & Railing 1 Comment
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AZEK Deck with Planters and Curved Bench

One of the biggest trends in decks for 2016 is a continuing focus on turning decks into outdoor living spaces. More specifically, more homeowners are thinking about basically making their decks into a continuation of their indoor living space. Essentially, decks are being thought of more and more as adding square footage to the home.

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Multi-level Deck with Firepit

These outdoor living spaces are used for a wide variety of purposes. Outdoor kitchens are growing in popularity, not just for barbecues, but everyday food preparation. Entertainment and relaxation are traditionally how decks have been used for entertaining friends and family outdoors. Now more homeowners are expanding their use of outdoor spaces with better furniture and specialty lighting.

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Gazebo with AZEK Decking

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Pergola with AZEK Decking

Personalization of deck spaces is also becoming a strong trend. There are so many railing options and accessories available today that no two decks ever have to look alike. Since decks are becoming everyday living spaces, there are more multi-level decks being built than ever before. Incorporating specialty lighting to steps up to raised portions and stairs improves safety in the evening. Architectural elements are becoming more important. Some homeowners even incorporate gazebos and pergolas into their structures to provide shade and ambiance, making them more versatile spaces. Reliable Truss and Components, part of the National Lumber Family of Companies, can design and build gazebos, pergolas, and other similar structures.

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AZEK Resurfacing Pavers

As deck designs evolve, homeowners can also choose from a wider variety of different materials than ever before. Many homeowners opt to mix and match decking materials. Azek has a line of versatile pavers that come in multiple colors to enhance the design of a patio. Or you can add planters and have curved elements in the design. Different colors can be used to map out certain areas of the deck visually based on their intended function. Certain areas of the deck may even have solid roofing so that they can be used even on rainy days.

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TimberTech ReliaBoard Decking with Post-Cap Lighting

If you’re looking to spruce up your existing deck or build a brand new one, you will want to explore the many decking, railing, and deck accessories options on the market today. Many low maintenance products are now available so you spend more time enjoying your deck and less time maintaining it. We invite you to visit a National Lumber location near you to see products from Azek and TimberTech, offering a range of colors for decking, railings and many accessories such as built-in lighting. Decks are an easy way to effectively add square footage to your home, as well as a significant increase in your home’s value.

Thanks to Azek and TimberTech for the beautiful photos and to Home Town Restyling and Philip’s Fences for their insight into 2016 deck trends.

Simpson Exterior Doors Offer Maximum Performance Against the Elements

Published November 27, 2015 Building Materials , Doors Leave a Comment
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Did you know that Simpson Doors offers Performance Series doors that offer additional protection against the elements? Simpson’s Ultrablock and WaterBarrier technology are available on most exterior doors, and each upgraded door comes with a 5 year warranty.

WaterBarrier technology is made from one-piece of Medium Density Overlay (MDO) on the outside – a material commonly used on concrete forms and street signs. It resists moisture absorption and the overlay has a primer topcoat which results in better paint application. You can find if the technology is available on the door you want by visiting Simpson’s Find a Door.

 

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Learn more about Simpson’s Ultrablock and WaterBarrier technologies.

Ultrablock technology already comes standard on many of Simpson’s door lines. This technology offers the best protection against extreme weather and improves warp resistance while still giving you a beautiful genuine wood door.

To learn more about Simpson Doors, visit the National Lumber eShowroom.

Therma-Tru Entry Door Systems Ranked #1 in Quality, Brand Specified and Most Used

Published November 20, 2015 Building Materials , Doors Leave a Comment
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When it comes to entry doors, there’s far more involved than just a door. It’s a door system, which includes the door itself, the glass, and components. These components include hinges, sills, and weatherstripping. Everything works together in order to resist the elements, help keep cold drafts out, and keep the heat in. Well-built entry door systems are both energy-efficient and weather resistant.

Therma-Tru fiberglass entry door systems have been rated #1 in Quality by buildings in the 2015 Builder Brand Use Study. Not only that, but Therma-Tru entry doors also ranked #1 in Brand Specified and Used Most, further cementing the brand’s reputation. Each Therma-Tru entry door system comes with a Lifetime Limited Warranty. With all components either manufacturer or specified directly by Therma-Tru, you can count on a quality product that trade professionals trust.

See here how Therma-Tru door systems can work for your needs.

Therma-Tru Entry Door System Illustration

National Lumber is a proud Therma-Tru doors dealer, and samples are shown at all nine of our locations. With entry doors a major part of a home’s perceived value because of their huge impact of curb appeals, Therma-Tru door systems are an excellent choice for new construction or remodels. Whether you are a homeowner wanting to improve your own home, a remodeling contractor wanting to offer the best value to a client, or a builder preparing to sell a brand new home, Therma-Tru is the best choice.

Learn more about Therma-Tru doors on the National Lumber eShowroom.

Welcome to National Lumber!

Published November 20, 2015 Building Industry , Lumber Leave a Comment
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Welcome to National Lumber’s brand-new blog! National Lumber is the largest building material supplier in New England, with eight lumberyards and stores. We also have divisions dedicated to kitchen design and remodeling (Kitchen Views), installed insulation (Pro Insulators), custom millwork and pre-built staircases (National Millwork), trusses (Reliable Truss), and drywall supply.

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