| GUIDE TO
ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS Product Selection, Specification, and Handling
The evolution of engineered wood
products over the past few decades has greatly expanded building options and methods in
all forms of residential and commercial construction. The next 21 pages of this APA
Design/Construction guide provide product information and specification recommendations
for several of the most common engineered wood products - plywood, oriented strand board,
composite panels, glulam, and I-joists. Other engineered wood products that are often used
in the construction systems described in this guide include rim board and laminated veneer
lumber (LVL).
"Engineered wood" describes
wood products that are engineered for structural applications. Having been used since the
1940s, plywood is considered wood product. All glued engineered wood products are made by
combining wood strands, veneers, lumber or other wood fiber with glue to form a large
composite structural unit. They are designed and manufactured to maximize the natural
strength and stiffness characteristics of wood by orienting the wood veneers, strands or
laminations and by combining wood with durable adhesives. |
