The trouble is not getting hardwood. The trouble is finding hardwood that has been properly seasoned and cured. That's generally expensive stuff. About ten years ago I had to install a threshold on my front door -- the old one had rotted away. I needed one board, about 2X8 inches wide and about four feet long. I found a piece of oak that would do the job (a threshold has to be hardwood), and it cost me over $75. For one stick of wood, ten years ago. I hate to even think what it costs today. Twice as much, probably.
I had the same issue and the only way I got around that level of pricing was to soak the board I got at Home Depot in Thompsons Water Seal for a couple of days (after sanding, etc). I had to predrill holes to make sure no rotting occurred after I nailed it in. And then covering the nails with wood filler and sealing again and then painting with water proof paint.
Not necessarily. Keep in mind, that building is slowing down. People aren't buying much anymore.
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