Louisiana-Pacific

Louisiana-Pacific
WeatherBest Desking Offers Value, Beauty

Prominently featured on the D.R. Horton Show Home 2001 is WeatherBest Composite Decking and Railing from Louisiana-Pacific.

Chosen for the show home because of both its long-term low maintenance benefits and its aesthetic appeal, WeatherBest Decking offers consumers the best of both worlds. The material cuts, drills and installs just like wood. But it won't crack, splinter or split and is resistant to termites, rot and decay. The product comes with an attractive wood grain finish that does not require staining, sealing or painting.

For new home builders like D.R. Horton, the material offers upgrade option potential and can become a builder profit center, says LP's Marty Fajerman. "The builder," he says, "can provide treated wood as a standard deck choice and offer WeatherBest as an upgrade, high-value option that provides buyers lower maintenance and a better long term investment. It's a pretty easy sell."

The decking is produced in two product configurations: WeatherBest (SP), 5/4" x 6" (nominal) solid deck boards, and WeatherBest (EHP), 2" x 6" (nominal) hollow planks. Solid decking is used with 16" on-center joist spans. Hollow planks can be used with 24" on-center joist spans. The material provides a smooth, straight surface with no splinters or knots.

WeatherBest Composite Railing is also available. The lineal system of hand rails, side rails and balusters is manufactured from a sturdy wood composite that matches the decking.Both the WeatherBest Decking and Railing are warranted against checking, rot, decay, and termite damage for a full 10 years.

"Traditionally, composite decking has had a commercial or industrial look. WeatherBest decking looks like real wood. In fact, we make it out of Southern yellow pine. It ages similar to how pine ages, fading to an attractive ivory or light tan color. WeatherBest requires very little maintenance. You just leave it out and let it weather. You don't have to stain it or seal it. That's a great sales story for homebuilders.

"We are also now launching a frequent builder program, the WeatherBest Installer Network or WIN program. Builders who sign up receive training on installing and selling the product and sales presentation materials. As they use the product they accumulate points that can be exchanged for gifts that range from small merchandising items for showrooms, to tools and vacation trips. It's like a frequent flyer program."

Marty Fajerman, Marketing Manager, Wood Fiber Components

For more information, Please contact:
Louisiana-Pacific
10115 Kincey Avenue, Suite 150
Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: (704) 948-1454
Fax: (704) 875-1680
www.LPCorp.com