24-03-2025
'Helping our community': Megashow reflects strong demand for building and remodeling, concerns about tariffs
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The Megashow Home, Garden & Business Expo at The Johnstown Galleria drew a steady stream of homeowners Saturday to investigate remodeling options from among 76 vendors.
In the backdrop, home builders and homeowners are contending with tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump on lumber from Canada.
'It's a concern,' said Karl Glessner, Somerset County Builders Association board member.
Glessner helped organize the show, which began Friday and continued through Sunday at The Johnstown Galleria, 500 Galleria Drive.
Saying tariffs are a powerful source of leverage for protecting the national interest, Trump announced Feb. 1 an across-the-board tariff of 25% on Canadian softwood lumber coming into the United States.
Prior to the blanket tariffs, the United States had a carefully implemented but complex softwood lumber agreement including various tariffs to help balance pricing, Glessner said.
'Trump jumping in and putting a 25% tariff on everything from Canada puts a crowbar in the spokes of that softwood agreement,' he said.
As a result, the National Association of Home Builders has sounded the alarm on the detrimental effects the tariffs could have on housing affordability.
'Remodelers and products'In the local area, demand is strong for home repairs in the Cambria-Somerset region, Glessner said.
Glessner said that in addition to cost increases stemming from tariffs, NAHB members are also expecting inflationary costs to rise for materials such as vinyl and roofing products, OSB sheathing, and plywood.
'The show allows customers to investigate the availability of remodelers and products,' he said.
'It's a way of helping our community.'
Many people drawn to the vendors had visited the mall Saturday for other reasons.
'We are just looking,' John Mish, of Davidsville, said. 'We were curious to see. It's a nice presentation.'
'Response ... has been great'Among the vendors was Curtis Walters, events manager for Mount Pleasant Window & Remodeling Co.
'The response here has been great,' he said.
'It's better than our biggest home show of the year that we recently attended in Pittsburgh.'
