And I'm not even talking about the high prices. I just priced out 10 foot 2x4's at my local big box store (really, the only local lumberyard), and AC2 is CHEAPER than regular framing lumber. AC2 is $10.28, kiln dried is $12.24. WTF?? Should I just frame the whole thing out of treated? I'm sure the galvanized nails and screws could eat up the difference, but maybe not.
Okay, Lumber is nuts.
- Thread starter Skooterj
- Start date
I bought 7 quarts of NAPA branded synthetic today at 5.25/quart on sale.
This is the same stuff they were selling on sale all the time for $2.79 a quart not too long ago.... and I would buy it in case lots at that price.
I called up to the shop and asked my buddy what he was paying, he said more than that and I got a deal.
He also said brake rotors are stupidly expensive.
We are doomed.
This is the same stuff they were selling on sale all the time for $2.79 a quart not too long ago.... and I would buy it in case lots at that price.
I called up to the shop and asked my buddy what he was paying, he said more than that and I got a deal.
He also said brake rotors are stupidly expensive.
We are doomed.
Innovate1
Well-known member
I posted a similar thing recently but electrical. I found UF cable cheaper than romex. With prices fluctuating these are probably short term anomalies. I don't think treated lumber has the same grading or is typically as good as framing lumber so using it for framing doesn't sound like a good idea.
marak
Well-known member
I believe that treated lumber is dimensionally bigger than untreated lumber of the same nominal size due to the treatment process. As the wood dries the treated lumber will shrink more than untreated lumber. I'm not sure if this would cause headaches down the road, but might be worth consideration. Consider measuring the actual dimensions of both the next time you are at a lumberyard.
marak
Well-known member
I think you meant to post this in a different thread.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It's been this way for quite a while
Again, I'm not complaining about the high prices. I'm just amazed the historically more expensive product is cheaper than the historically cheaper and easier to produce product. The process for make a 2x4 is the same, treated or not. But treating the 2x4 costs money.
And yes, wet AC2 lumber will shrink a lot. But once dry, should be as stable as kiln dried. Lay it out in the sun for a month and it will be as good as kiln dried.
I did see Armored Cable was cheaper than Romex too. Crazy. Steel cheaper than plastic, wow.
AldeanFan
Well-known member
When prices are changing so frequently it’s no surprise that things get wacky temporarily. Prices of some goods get adjusted up faster than others and it takes some time to get back to equilibrium.
If they double the price of chicken on Monday and they don’t get around to doubling the price of steak until Tuesday then chicken may be priced higher than steak for that day.
Supply and demand also play in to it. If there’s an over supply of steak and a shortage of chicken, then chicken may temporarily be more expensive.
It’s going to be a roller coaster for some time yet.
If they double the price of chicken on Monday and they don’t get around to doubling the price of steak until Tuesday then chicken may be priced higher than steak for that day.
Supply and demand also play in to it. If there’s an over supply of steak and a shortage of chicken, then chicken may temporarily be more expensive.
It’s going to be a roller coaster for some time yet.
marak
Well-known member
Consider painting the ends to assist in drying out evenly.
RVDan
Well-known member
Yes everything is whacked senseless right now. For a while 3/4” plywood was less than 3/8” OSB.
8’ studs are a buck less than 92 5/8 studs.
8’ studs are a buck less than 92 5/8 studs.
cmandp
Well-known member
I wouldn't bother with treated even for the cost difference unless it's rot resistance is needed. You end up with a lot more culls if you let it sit around while you complete your project; even if you sticker it and let it dry properly. It's also heavier, harder on blades, more corrosive to screws/nail and the dust is more hazardous.
engineer2
Well-known member
Back in Jan a 12mm Baltic birch 19.8"x5' cut was $20. Went back in early March to find that cut was at $40. The prior 2 years of crazy covid it had slight increases but not like double. Just attributed that to the seller had so much they sold at their regular mark-up until a new order was placed.
dfiler2
Well-known member
I bought 4sheets of ACX plywood the other day from the local yard and 3/4" was $52.62 ea and the 1/2" was $69.98 ea. Apparently they sell more 3/4" ACX.
I thought lumber prices had been going down, although I hadn't been paying attention much because I haven't needed to buy any for awhile. Boy was I wrong. I stopped at a local lumber store to get FIVE 8ft 2x4s today and it was 63 bucks plus tax.
MushCreek
Well-known member
Lumber went down last fall, but then shot back up. The pricing inconsistencies are probably due to when they restock a certain item. As I said in the other thread, a 16' 2X8 was much less than a 16' 2X6. What I don't know is which one is the 'old' price. I do know that a 10' 2X8 dropped by a third in a couple weeks.
UglyViking
Well-known member
If you look at lumber futures you can see stuff is still quite insane, considering the overall stability. Frankly I don't expect this to get better very soon. The housing market is still pretty insane, and while cooling I think there is going to be a rush of buyers who are seeing interest rates skyrocket (by comparison to recent historical lows) and are afraid of missing out. Lots of new properties being built, home improvements still ongoing, etc.
MushCreek
Well-known member
They're still building full-tilt around here, especially massive apartment complexes. They're all stick-built, too.
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
My fears are that these prices will never correct. Ive been waiting for a major correction to build a new shed to store a small tractor, zero turn, mowers, 3pt attachments and the like. Dont know if it will ever happen.
Just ordered a greenhouse for my wife 9'x17.5', for $9500 from costco ! In my wildest dreams, I never thought Id be dropping $10k on a hobby greenhouse. I drive a $600 silverado... my head is spinning everyday, my reality has been rattled.
Just ordered a greenhouse for my wife 9'x17.5', for $9500 from costco ! In my wildest dreams, I never thought Id be dropping $10k on a hobby greenhouse. I drive a $600 silverado... my head is spinning everyday, my reality has been rattled.
uratool
Well-known member
Spent some time back in the yard of the closest Menards yesterday, they are packed to the rafters with seemingly everything, don't recall ever seeing so much inventory.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Doesn't matter how much cheaper it is, I would never build interior with PT. Besides the dry out hassle and corrosion issues, its heavy as ****.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
During the height of the pandemic it was proved that the big mills had created their own shortage. (They stopped buying logs which killed the tree cutters, and their inventory quickly dried up). I wonder if this still true ?
matt_i
Well-known member
I also vote against using treated. The OP didn't specify how much timber he was looking for, is it 1000pcs so ~$2000 (?) Or more along the lines of 50pcs so ~$100 (?) Even high-end HDG = hot dipped galvanized fasteners are just a longer hedge against time for the mild steel core. I wouldn't balk at $100 when ~20 gallons of gas is ~$80.
30yr fixed mortgages recently went from mid 3% to more than 6%. That in itself I believe will correct shortage in lumber supply. There are other factors of course but every 1/4 point gain cuts out incrementally more buyers.
30yr fixed mortgages recently went from mid 3% to more than 6%. That in itself I believe will correct shortage in lumber supply. There are other factors of course but every 1/4 point gain cuts out incrementally more buyers.
reader2580
Well-known member
Big box stores, at least, have wood stocked to the rafters. Right now prices seem to be a bigger issue than supply.
Many industries cut back during the early weeks and months of the pandemic as they worried the pandemic would kill their sales.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Just use regular lumber, not treated. Treated lumber has it's problems to deal with.