Engineered Wood Components
The scope of Engineered Wood Products is immense. Engineered
wood products are a high-performance, consistent, reliable
and environmentally responsible choice for everything from
construction to materials handling applications to home projects. New
building systems and high-tech products are changing the
way builders build and homeowners live. Leading the change
into tomorrow are high performance glued engineered wood
products and systems that provide builders with cost-effective
and labor-saving alternatives in construction applications
behind the walls.
Glued engineered wood is manufactured by bonding together
wood strands, veneers, lumber or other forms of wood fiber
to produce a larger and integral composite unit that is stronger
and stiffer than the sum of its parts. The phenomenal growth
in the use and acceptance of engineered wood is proof that
a new era is dawning in residential building.
We spoke with Tom Williamson, Executive Vice President of
Engineered Wood Systems, a Tacoma, Washington-based affiliate
of the APA.
 Williamson
explained why these products have become so popular: "Glued
engineered wood products provide designers with greater flexibility
to create the open spans desired by today's home owners.
And they result in stronger and more durable floors, walls
and roofs. They are carpenter-friendly and lightweight, making
them easier to use by the builder."
Williamson brought up the benefits to the environment: "Manufactured
wood products use less wood fiber than traditional wood products
to achieve the same or better performance. They make use
of wood elements that might otherwise not be suitable for
use as a structural product. In addition, these products
make efficient use of faster-growing trees from managed forests
and farms and previously under-utilized species which helps
preserve old-growth forests. Also, engineered wood compares
very favorably to non-wood products with regard to pollutants
and emissions during manufacturing."
To promote high quality building practices using engineered
wood products, the APA instituted the Code Plus Program.
It requires participating builders to go one step above minimum
code requirements. For example, most areas require some sort
of let-in bracing or corner bracing using OSB or plywood
on the corners. A Code-Plus home would have fully sheathed
walls using OSB or plywood. The APA provides materials such
as brochures, window decals and a certificate suitable for
framing for builders to promote the fact that their homes
are built according to Code Plus criteria.
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