[00:00:00] Eric Goranson: It's around the house when it comes to remodeling and renovating your home. There is a lot to know, but we've got you covered. This is around the house. Welcome to the round the house show. This is where we help you get the most out of your home through information education. Thanks for joining me today.

[00:00:32] Eric Goranson: We've got a great midweek special this week here, cause we're going to talk about trends for 2024. When it comes to decking and when it comes to fencing and stuff that we should be taking a look at because it's really strange out there and it's something that's been interesting. We watch building materials prices go up and down all over the place and in the past, it seemed it was really tied to the [00:01:00] lumber futures market and you would see that stuff be where it's tied in.

[00:01:04] Eric Goranson: But right now, That's not been the case because we watched the prices below and still, obviously, we've got people marking up lumber prices because I tell you what, whatever the mills are charging out there coming out to these home centers and lumber yards out there, it's expensive and where the future prices used to show.

[00:01:23] Eric Goranson: Wow. Okay. The future prices have gone up. We can see that happening. It just hasn't been the case as of the last year, and it's just right now I was at the store the other day looking at drywall prices. I'm like, why is that so high right now? It's not like we're building a ton of homes right now. And drywall prices are through the roof when I go into my home center and see it at almost 20 bucks a sheet where it was 6 months ago at 12 bucks a sheet.

[00:01:49] Eric Goranson: Now we're talking about a pretty significant increase. And for no apparent reason. So I makes me wonder what's going on out there and hopefully we'll see some balance in the market where [00:02:00] usually what happens is when this goes on, we'll see some lumber mill come in and, and, and shortcut prices and, and start moving more material, but what I saw is I've been watching here in the Pacific Northwest and we're closing a lot of lumber mills.

[00:02:12] Eric Goranson: And they're saying, because of the, for instance, in Oregon, they put a bunch of tree protections in. So lumber, the trees themselves are costing more compared to what they used to. So it still doesn't affect, it should be affecting those lumber prices on the futures market. So it's going to be interesting to see how this all plays out.

[00:02:30] Eric Goranson: But as we know, lumber prices are similar throughout the country. If you start comparing them and you can do a deep dive by taking a look at Lowe's online or home Depot online and get an idea of what it is, if you put in different zip codes in different areas, but still. Lumber prices are still pretty high comparatively where they've been in the past.

[00:02:49] Eric Goranson: Of course, it's not COVID high. That was insane, but higher than what it usually is with this type of market. Now, the reason why I'm bringing this up is because we're starting to see things that make more [00:03:00] sense. And that is steel framing for decking. Metal fencing, because when these prices are up for lumber, comparatively, it makes steel much more cost effective.

[00:03:13] Eric Goranson: And that steel, of course, is going to last or aluminum when it comes to fencing is going to cost a lot less maintenance down the road. So if you're a homeowner or you're a contractor, it might be faster for you to get in and out with steel versus wood. When it comes to fencing or decking. So I think what we're going to see here is over the next few years, that steel, as far as framing for decking, and of course, aluminum and steel for fencing is going to be great.

[00:03:43] Eric Goranson: Now, if we start talking about fire prevention and wildfire, like on the West coast or even hurricanes and things like that, of course, the metal is going to be stronger. For instance, at my house, great example, I have steel fencing on the front. I have wood fencing in the back and the wood is cedar, [00:04:00] just to give you an idea of what's going on there.

[00:04:02] Eric Goranson: And when I look at that, I have not had to do one single repair on the steel fencing and it's had big branches bounce off it from our windstorms and ice storms. But I tell you what. I have probably replaced three sections of fencing in the back because of a branch that would have bounced off the steel came right through the cedar.

[00:04:22] Eric Goranson: So I start looking at that and go, okay, that's something to think about as well as if you talk to our fire prevention experts out there, they want you to have. Five feet away from the house, non combustible materials, which means if you're bringing a wood fence up against the side of the house, that's not the case.

[00:04:37] Eric Goranson: So you really need to put in a metal gate or something like that to stop that fire line from taking a line right up to your house. Now, this could be something that's wildfire season on the West coast or in the, in the Midwest, but let's say your house, your neighbor's house catches on fire. If that fence catches on fire, you don't want that to come over to your house and be the.

[00:04:56] Eric Goranson: Kindling to start your house going. So even in tight [00:05:00] city circumstances, I think it's not a bad way to go. And it's just going to be quite frankly, more durable. If somebody comes up and tags it, it's a lot easier to clean that off with some cleaner than it is to replace fence boards and restate it because it's a hard time getting that spray paint off the side of a wood stain fence.

[00:05:17] Eric Goranson: So these are all things to really consider and think about. When you're looking at these exterior projects, so I would take a look as you're looking out there, there's a lot of different systems, a lot of great ones. And I would take a look if you're thinking about those projects to really look hard at metal for framing of a deck and, of course, for metal in fencing, because I think that is the wave of the future.

[00:05:40] Eric Goranson: And I think that is what's going to be less maintenance for you and a lot safer when it comes down to it. I like not, I like putting things up that last and not having to go back and do it. And just like that fence I put up two and a half years ago, I already have to go back and restate it to make it look fresh again, which is a lot of work.

[00:05:58] Eric Goranson: And that steel fence, if you [00:06:00] just keep it wet or the aluminum one that's anodized, if you just wash it down every six months or so, it should be looking good to go. So that's something to think about when you're doing that. Just keep an eye on that stuff, guys. It could be really saving for you longterm, especially when you figure out you gotta, you gotta do all this work to get it to look really beautiful and to keep it maintained.

[00:06:20] Eric Goranson: So something to think about there. Next week, I am going to be down at the national hardware show. And if you're one of the listeners of the show and you're going to be there, I appreciate you come up and say, hi, I'll be up on the main stage, doing my show in Las Vegas at the hardware show on the media stage with some people.

[00:06:38] Eric Goranson: We're going to have a great time down there. So you will see that on social media. And if you want to find out more about us, head over to around the house, online. com. And if you have a home improvement question, you could always get ahold of me. I'll have a slow response time. Cause I'll be out of town next week, but 8 3 3 2 3 9 41 44.

[00:06:56] Eric Goranson: And that's 8 3 3 2 3 9 41 44. [00:07:00] And make sure your voicemail box is not full. I know that's a hard thing and mine gets full from time, but I miss you and I call you back. Okay. And, uh, you miss me because your voicemail box is full. I will be calling from the number that you hear that you see on the phone too, which is that 44.

[00:07:18] Eric Goranson: So save that in your phone. If you're calling me that way, I'm calling you back. All right, everybody have a great rest of the week. We're going to have a great show this weekend coming up, and we're going to be talking about hiring contractors and firing contractors, whether how to do it, how to do it legally, or And that applies to both.

[00:07:35] Eric Goranson: And then we'll be talking some more design trends and our number two with one of my favorite companies, which I'll reveal to you on Friday. Have a great rest of the week. And thanks again for tuning in to around the house.