Late winter snowstorms in the Midwest and Northeast and the prolonged coolness that is forecast to stretch into April will impact several home improvement product categories this spring — some favorably, some not so — according to Planalytics, which provides "business weather intelligence" to companies worldwide.

Customers entering the Menards store in Fort Wayne, Ind., pass through a turnstile and immediately confront a great wall — the wall of "household essentials & more."

Just beyond the shelves of chips and cereal and sparkling cider, the wall marks an increased presence for cleaning supplies. While not exactly standard fare for your typical home improvement giant, some experts say carrying everyday items makes perfect sense in today's retail environment.

There is no shortage of deck materials that promise a combination of "real-wood beauty" and "durability." One of the latest entrants offers a twist on the story — it really is wood, but "it's something better," said Jim Flickinger, marketing development manager for Perennial Wood. "It's modified wood."

Lumberyards and retailers say they're getting stiffed by the state of California and its new tax on lumber.

Here's the background. Since Jan. 1, California retailers have been required to collect a 1% assessment on sales of certain lumber products. However, so-called "secondary" wood products, in which additional labor has added significant value — such as furniture, windows and doors — are exempt.