I-joist production in North America during the first quarter was up 100% compared to a year ago, according to industry newsletter Random Lengths.
LVL output was up more than 80% during the same period.
In the first quarter of 2009, I-joist production in North America was about 18% of capacity, while LVL producers were operating at about 25% of capacity.
Prices of LVL and I-joists went up 5-8% in late February and 10-12% in April, with most of the price increases driven by raw material costs.
Much of the early 2010 purchasing was to restock depleted inventories and producers were not ready for the surge in demand.
