International Wood International Wood 2006 | Page 36
It’s a high-end product with a perceived value
that makes it worth the investment for any
homeowner wanting superior quality and style
in his or her home. The look of wood blends
beautifully with other home materials, making it
a viable option in nearly any room.
The manufactured housing industry has long been one of the wood
paneling industry’s largest customers. The lightweight, tight-grain,
smooth surface of wood paneling makes it easy to groove and to laminate
any design a customer might want. Today, use of wood paneling in
manufactured homes is holding steady and is showing gains in traditional
site-built construction as well.
John Redding of Chesapeake Hardwood Products, Inc., a manufac-
turer of wall paneling in Chesapeake, Virginia, explains that imported
woods procured in Indonesia and Malaysia make up the substrates
of their panels. Chesapeake uses lauan or meranti for use in printed
or laminated products as well as some Chinese birch for veneer ap-
plications. Though traditional wood paneling designs are still the
company’s bread and butter, the market is evolving to welcome more
modern groove patterns.
“We are looking ahead to do more sophisticated things with imported
hardwood species,” Redding says. “There are opportunities to use panels
in upscale applications such as in libraries, etc.”
Other manufacturers and importers concur. “Our association’s
members are increasingly sharing with us the growth they are seeing
in this market,” states Brent McClendon, executive vice president of the
International Wood Products Association (IWPA). IWPA represents
more than 220 U.S. manufacturers, importers, overseas manufacturers,
and the service providers that help facilitate trade.
One reason for the growing popularity of residential wood paneling
is the desire of American homeowners for natural home materials. In
this age of high technology and warp-speed lifestyles, we are turning to
our residences to fi nd respite and gain a sense of balance and harmony.
AMERICAN PACIFIC PLYWOOD INC.
IMPORTERS OF HIGH QUALITY PANEL PRODUCTS
EXPORTER OF HIGH QUALITY LOGS
PLYWOOD SPECIES AVAILABLE:
• AYOUS • OBECHE
• BEECH • OKOUME
• BIRCH • POPLAR
• CATIVO • RED OAK
• CHERRY • RUSSIAN PINE
• HICKORY • WALNUT
• KNOTTY PINE • WESTERN ALDER
• MAHOGANY • WHITE ASH
• MAPLE • WHITE OAK
• MERANTI/LAUAN
(available in pre-fi nish
UV coating)
OTHER PRODUCTS:
• BENDING PLYWOOD
• CONCRETE FORM FILM FACE PLYWOOD
(slick pour 240tm)
e-mail:
PO BOX 8
SOLVANG, CA 93464
tel: (800) 829 7909
(805) 688 7919
FaX: (805) 688 2956
[email protected]
• CONTAINER FLOORING
• WHITE LINER BOARD
DELIVERY TO USA • MEXICO • CARIBBEAN PORTS • DIRECT TO CUSTOMER’S LOCATION
36 i m p o r t e d w o o d
AMERICAN PACIFIC PLYWOOD SUPPORTS LEGAL
LOGGING AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT.
FSC/SCS CHAIN OF CUSTODY. MEMBER OF THE
INTERNATIONAL WOOD PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION.