The only foreboding statistic, a premature cool down in shipment volume, appeared in the September 2000 report released by NOFMA. And for whatever reason, unfinished red oak hardwood flooring began to once again experience upward pricing pressure. White oak, on the other hand, continued to show signs of stability as most manufacturers resolved to build massive inventories.
The difference between the current pricing environment and that which we experienced less than three years ago is that there continues to be unmistakable signs of a steady, consistent slow down in new home construction. Lumberyards have begun to accrue a large surplus of the various building materials required for construction. So, the recent price hikes seem rather incongruent considering the slackening near-term outlook facing the construction industry.