Of special interest to me for bulkheads, framing and decking is a technique of using reinforcing wire mesh in between outer layers of plywood to form more rigid and puncture resistant thin panels. Dubbed Gilwood by its inventor in the 1950s he initially sought to create panels for grain storage that would resist gnawing critters but found he had something that, in addition to the above, also had more consistent mechanical properties.
In any structure the web of a bulkhead, framing, decking or structural column staying in plane is necessary to retain strength; but, puncture resistance of relatively lighter (and less expensive) thin panels is a big problem for anything I might try to build. The normal approach would be to use the heavier thicker panel materials.
There is a similar way to laminate fiberglass under tension that may be useful for the hulls of so-called “instant boats” (not sure about using wire mesh in those panels).
Not counting inflation it’s still 200 dollars per thousand board ft more than 2009…where it hit rock bottom.
Also this is for softwoods. Hardwoods and even fir has different economic pricing. Hardwoods wasn’t effected so much during that insane lumber pricing…fir somewhat. Most of straight grain fir goes to Asian markets.
Graph that you posted is softwood…which is use for framing houses, treated lumber for decks etc.
Hardwood is used for cabinets, furniture and even flooring.
Typical 2000 sqft home uses anywhere 12 to 16 thousand board ft. Again that depends on 2x4 or 2x6 construction. Also depends on pitch of roof to using trusses or stick frame with 2x12’s.
Typical kitchen that is actually using hardwood like maple, oak cherry etc might use about 80 to 120 board ft. Again that depends on solid raise panels for doors etc.
Most of quality hardwood is used for veneer plywood.
So again it’s two different markets. softwood and hard wood.
During the pandemic Canada lumber mills shut down completely…southern while white pine logs used for homes remain open. Making stick frame homes as expansive as log homes.
That also goes for hardwood…most of that lumber is American and thus wasn’t as effected during shutdown.
