Even though I am the Technical Director at Tremco Barrier Solutions, the makers of Enviro-Dri, I will answer a couple of comments/questions. 1. Has anyone used Enviro-Dri in a humid Enviroment? Yes, in fact hundreds of Enviro-Dri applications have been completed in the Saint Louis area since the introduction of Enviro-Dri in 2008. Since Enviro-Dri is highly vapor-permeable by design, there are no issues with water vapor movement. Enviro-Dri stops liquid water, not water vapor. 2. Any code problems with Enviro-Dri? None. Just like housewrap, Enviro-Dri Weather Resistant Barrier is an ICC-ES code-approved alternative to felt paper for use as the home's water-resistive barrier. The ICC-ES report for Enviro-Dri, ESR-2843, can be viewed on the ICC-ES website www.icc-es.org. Also of note, the report explicitly states that third party inspection is not required for Enviro-Dri. The NC issue, which was resolved, occured before the ICC-ES report was posted on the web. If you have further questions regarding Enviro-Dri, the next generation of home envelope protection, please contact Tremco Barrier Solutions at 800-876-5624. Regards, James Wells, PhD. Here is a link that might be useful: Tremco Barrier Solutions

Thank you all for responding. You have helped decide to repair the existing damage rather than replacing the wood. This past weekend I repaired the porch header by first coating the rotted wood sections with Minwax wood hardner, then filling in with Plastic Wood. (I will be ordering the Liquid wood for future projects - thanks premier) Brickeyee - good point about old wood is better than new wood. Had not thought of that. During my days of stripping the woodwork on the house, I did notice how the wood in the house is so clear - very tight grain with no knots. I am using your tip (I think it was yours in an earlier post) about coating the cut ends with wood hardner then priming and painting. I know that once I get gutters installed, the trim will not be take such a beating. The gutters will also help preserve the original windows and trim. Thanks again!

Here in the Northeast, I've been using TJIs for the past 12 years or so for floor joists. Still stick framing roofs. KD doug fir 2x10s are the usual suspects for rafters. I don't do trusses. Locally we can use green doug fir for framing. Some still use it for studs, that's about it. I don't know anyone who uses green lumber for joists, carrying beams, or headers, but the yards are selling them so someone is using them. I could see using green rafters, but no way for floor joists or beams. If using green studs, be extrememly picky about using green studs for framing bath or kitchen walls, rooms where the walls need to be dead-flat for cabinetry or tiling, showers and tubs, etc. Transitioning to KD lumber for those walls may be a smart thing to do. Same with king studs for door and window openings, wall corners, and top plates. Save the best ones for those applications. Like someone else posted, the quality of the "KD" vs the quality of the "green" can depend on how the lumberyard treats the lumber. I swear I've seen lifts of KD that were wetter than the green.

Jan Moyer you are right on the money. Every single manufacturer knows how to build an upholstered piece the right way, it's not a secret and it's not rocket science. However this is a price-driven industry and the consumer demands lower prices, so most these companies respond accordingly. There are only two ways to lower the cost of the build 1) Reduce you labor costs 2) Reduce your material costs. You take it out of the craftsmanship or the materials. A manufacturer will decide what level they want to produce at - and then target the build to that price point. This is very much a time-business as well, so they are always looking for ways to make it faster to save on labor cost to meet target goals. The result is shortcuts and elimination of time-honored techniques and materials. How much can they eliminate in the cost to build is a meeting they have in staff every single week? Dealers demand it because they have the pressure from the retail consumer. However, everything they reduce - takes away from the quality of the build in one form or another. At some point down the line, they're are producing junk that goes to the landfill rather quickly. Companies that are publicly held and traded on the stock market are under enormous pressure to maximize profits for stockholders. Those that are privately held much less so, depending on what the owner wants to do. Best example I know of this is Hancock and Moore, which was started by Jack Glasheen and Jimmy Moore when they were fed up with the cutbacks at Classic Leather in the early 1980's and decided to go out together and build a new company that doesn't take shortcuts. I know both of them quite well personally and they have never wavered in the quest to build the best in the industry and also take care of any issues that may pop up from time to time. They very soon took over from Classic Leather as the # 1 builder in the USA. Jack and Jimmy retired a few years ago and sold the company, but not just to anyone. There were many who wanted to buy it, but they would only sell to someone who has the same beliefs and would continue the legacy of the build. That was Alex Shuford at Century, who runs his companies the same way. That's why H&M is now a part of Rock House Brands, the parent holding company. I don't carry poor or mediocre brands in my store. I know what makes a good piece of furniture in the 34th year of doing this and I build relationships with both my suppliers and customers, not just "make sales". I know that cheap sofas go to the landfill quickly, good ones actually cost less over time as they are serviceable for many years. It's my job to show clients what makes a good piece of furniture and what they are getting for their money so they can make an informed decision. Knowledge is Power. Empower the consumer through education, which is also why I participate in forums like this and run one myself. How strongly do I believe in that? I even have a cut-away of a Hancock and Moore chair in my store that I had custom made to show those interested how its made. Once you know the right way to do it, it's easy to spot the poorly made stuff. For the most part "you get what you pay for" in this industry. - Duane Collie