Cedar shims disappeared because of COVID-19
This has been a well-known issue since the pandemic started. Materials have been scarce, and prices have increased dramatically.
This seems to be due to issues on both the supply and the demand sides. Supply has decreased because of obvious issues related to COVID, workers being sick with COVID, factories having to shut down for periods of time, and working at limited capacity due to having to keep physical distance between staff.
Demand has also increased, it seems, because people are stuck at home, and are bored. Seems people either undertake remodeling projects due to being stuck at home and not having other &quot;entertainment&quot; options, and of course having to look at parts of their home they don't like much more know. There is probably also the component of the stimulus money being used on construction projects. Oh, and mortgage interest rates have been at historic lows for a long time, causing more demand on new construction.