WOOD CONSTRUCTION Lumber Grades Structural Members & Panels Nails & Fasteners Part 2 Professor Brandi R. Shepard© ACH 121-Materials and Methods 1

LUMBER GRADES Graded by: Strength & Stiffness (Structural Lumber), or Appearance (Finish Lumber) Lumber sold by - Species and Grade Better Grade  Higher price Scarce or Higher Quality Species  Higher price Strength is based on lumber species and lumber grade

Graded by:

Strength & Stiffness (Structural Lumber), or

Appearance (Finish Lumber)

Lumber sold by - Species and Grade

Better Grade  Higher price

Scarce or Higher Quality Species  Higher price

Strength is based on lumber species and lumber grade

LUMBER GRADES Classified by Use , Manufacture & Size USE Classification Yard lumber Consists of grades, sizes & patterns generally used for construction & building purposes Structural lumber Lumber is 2” or more in nominal thickness Factory & shop lumber Windows, doors, millwork

Classified by Use , Manufacture & Size

USE Classification

Yard lumber

Consists of grades, sizes & patterns generally used for construction & building purposes

Structural lumber

Lumber is 2” or more in nominal thickness

Factory & shop lumber

Windows, doors, millwork

LUMBER GRADES MANUFACTURE Classification Rough lumber Not dressed (surfaced) Sawed, edged & trimmed Dressed lumber Surfaced lumber to make it smooth S1S-surfaced on one side S2S-surfaced on two sides S1E-surfaced on one edge S2E-surfaced on two edges S4S-surfaced on both sides & edges S4S

MANUFACTURE Classification

Rough lumber

Not dressed (surfaced)

Sawed, edged & trimmed

Dressed lumber

Surfaced lumber to make it smooth

LUMBER GRADES MANUFACTURE Classification Worked lumber Matched lumber (tongue & groove) Shiplapped lumber (rabbetted on both edges) Patterned lumber (shaped to pattern or molded form)

MANUFACTURE Classification

Worked lumber

Matched lumber (tongue & groove)

Shiplapped lumber (rabbetted on both edges)

Patterned lumber (shaped to pattern or molded form)

LUMBER GRADES SIZE classification Nominal size Boards Less than 2 inches thick & more than 2 inches wide Sheathing, subflooring, trim, siding & paneling Dimension lumber Structural elements Timbers More than 5” in dimension Beams, posts & sills

SIZE classification

Nominal size

Boards

Less than 2 inches thick & more than 2 inches wide

Sheathing, subflooring, trim, siding & paneling

Dimension lumber

Structural elements

Timbers

More than 5” in dimension

Beams, posts & sills

Lumber Thickness and Width NOMINAL Thickness < 2 inches - Boards 2 to 4 in. - Dimension Lumber = to or > 5 inches - Timbers Widths Framing Lumber - 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 inches Finish /lumber - 1 inch (typ.)

Thickness

< 2 inches - Boards

2 to 4 in. - Dimension Lumber

= to or > 5 inches - Timbers

Widths

Framing Lumber - 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 inches

Finish /lumber - 1 inch (typ.)

Lumber Thickness and Width ACTUAL Nominal not equal to Actual dimensions Lumber SAWN Close to Nominal Then dried and surfaced Up to 6 inches - actual is 1/2 inch less Greater than 6 inches - actual is 3/4 inch less

Nominal not equal to Actual dimensions

Lumber SAWN Close to Nominal

Then dried and surfaced

Up to 6 inches - actual is 1/2 inch less

Greater than 6 inches - actual is 3/4 inch less

Lumber Lengths Typically; Two (2) foot increments Sizes; 8’, 10’, 12’, 14’, & 16’ (longer available) Exceptions; 93 inch studs Special order lengths

Typically; Two (2) foot increments

Sizes; 8’, 10’, 12’, 14’, & 16’ (longer available)

Exceptions;

93 inch studs

Special order lengths

Lumber Pricing Unit BOARD FEET One board foot = 1 inch X 12 inch X 1 foot Calculation based upon Nominal dimensions # of board feet = [(thickness” X width”) / 12] X length’ Example; 2x8 that is 10 feet long [(2x8)/12] X 10 = 13.33 board feet (bf) Lumber Pricing Factors Species Grade (and drying process) Lumber size

One board foot = 1 inch X 12 inch X 1 foot

Calculation based upon Nominal dimensions

# of board feet =

[(thickness” X width”) / 12] X length’

Example; 2x8 that is 10 feet long

[(2x8)/12] X 10 = 13.33 board feet (bf)

Lumber Pricing Factors

Species

Grade (and drying process)

Lumber size

Panel Standards & Grading Established by American Plywood Association (APA) Standards based on; Structural adequacy Dimensional Stability Durability of Adhesive Grade Stamp for OSB Panel

Established by American Plywood Association (APA)

Standards based on;

Structural adequacy

Dimensional Stability

Durability of Adhesive

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS & PANELS Wood Beams Solid timber (one large piece of wood) Milled Framing Lumber

Wood Beams

Solid timber (one large piece of wood)

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS & PANELS Wood Beams Built-up: (multiple framing members) Milled Framing Lumber

Wood Beams

Built-up: (multiple framing members)

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS & PANELS Wood Beams Glue Laminated: (horizontal thick layers of wood) Engineered Lumber

Wood Beams

Glue Laminated: (horizontal thick layers of wood)

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS & PANELS Wood Beams Laminated Veneer Lumber “LVL”: (vertical thin layers of wood) Engineered Lumber

Wood Beams

Laminated Veneer Lumber “LVL”: (vertical thin layers of wood)

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS & PANELS Wood Beams Parallel Strand Lumber “PSL”: (strips of wood) Engineered Lumber

Wood Beams

Parallel Strand Lumber “PSL”: (strips of wood)

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS & PANELS Wood Beams Plywood Box Beam: (hollow shell) Engineered Lumber

Wood Beams

Plywood Box Beam: (hollow shell)

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS & PANELS Wood Joists Butt (framing) Scarf (trim) Finger Joint (milling)

Wood Joists

Butt (framing)

Scarf (trim)

Finger Joint (milling)

Laminated Wood ( Glulam ) Lamination Process SELECT LUMBER, GRADE JOINTS - FINGER OR SCARF ADHESIVES BASED ON EXPECTED MOISTURE Why Laminate? Create a size not available naturally Create Shapes Improve Quality

Lamination Process

SELECT LUMBER, GRADE

JOINTS - FINGER OR SCARF

ADHESIVES BASED ON EXPECTED MOISTURE

Why Laminate?

Create a size not available naturally

Create Shapes

Improve Quality

Laminated Wood

World’s Longest Glulam

Wood Manufactured Components Trusses Wood I-Joists Beams Panel Components Also known as Engineered Lumber

Trusses

Wood I-Joists

Beams

Panel Components

New Age of Building Materials Becoming Common Place in Homes by Jill Mayfield, City of Austin Green Building Program There's a new breed of building products that are changing the face of the building industry. They're called engineered building materials, and as conventional building materials become more expensive and harder to get, more homebuilders are using these new materials. One class of these products that is becoming widely used is &quot;engineered&quot; wood. Wood that once laid on the mill floor and was thrown away is now part of a new age of building materials. But are engineered wood products weaker or inferior to solid pieces of lumber? No, they are designed by licensed structural engineers to do their job well, and have withstood rigorous testing at national labs. The advantages of engineered wood are better performance for the cost, a reduced use of natural resources, and less waste on the job site. One of the most common uses of engineered wood are roof and floor trusses . The builder gives the house plans to a licensed engineer at the truss mill who designs a configuration of wood members and special metal fasteners that safely bear the load of the building. A major environmental benefit is that short pieces of small dimension lumber can be used in a truss. This spares the trees in old growth forests-the source of the longest spans of lumber. Engineered studs are another wood product gaining acceptance among builders and homeowners. These studs are made of short pieces of wood that have finger-like joints cut in each end that are glued together end to end. Wood that was once considered too short to be used for structural purposes, and often just went to the landfill, is now made into finger-jointed studs. Engineered studs are strong, straight and less likely to warp after installation like many solid lumber studs. If your builder, architect, or designer is specifying engineered products in your home, it means he or she is using smart and proven building technology that is cost-effective. And by incorporating engineered materials into your home, the builder is using a material that may have once gone to waste, and is protecting resources-such as old growth forests-that can never be replaced. http://www.greenbuilder.com/general/articles/AAS.newagebldg.html

by Jill Mayfield, City of Austin Green Building Program

There's a new breed of building products that are changing the face of the building industry. They're called engineered building materials, and as conventional building materials become more expensive and harder to get, more homebuilders are using these new materials. One class of these products that is becoming widely used is &quot;engineered&quot; wood. Wood that once laid on the mill floor and was thrown away is now part of a new age of building materials.

But are engineered wood products weaker or inferior to solid pieces of lumber? No, they are designed by licensed structural engineers to do their job well, and have withstood rigorous testing at national labs. The advantages of engineered wood are better performance for the cost, a reduced use of natural resources, and less waste on the job site.

One of the most common uses of engineered wood are roof and floor trusses . The builder gives the house plans to a licensed engineer at the truss mill who designs a configuration of wood members and special metal fasteners that safely bear the load of the building.

A major environmental benefit is that short pieces of small dimension lumber can be used in a truss. This spares the trees in old growth forests-the source of the longest spans of lumber.

Engineered studs are another wood product gaining acceptance among builders and homeowners. These studs are made of short pieces of wood that have finger-like joints cut in each end that are glued together end to end. Wood that was once considered too short to be used for structural purposes, and often just went to the landfill, is now made into finger-jointed studs. Engineered studs are strong, straight and less likely to warp after installation like many solid lumber studs.

If your builder, architect, or designer is specifying engineered products in your home, it means he or she is using smart and proven building technology that is cost-effective. And by incorporating engineered materials into your home, the builder is using a material that may have once gone to waste, and is protecting resources-such as old growth forests-that can never be replaced.

Wood Manufactured Components TRUSSES Types of Trusses - Floor & Roof Floor Trusses Roof Trusses

Types of Trusses - Floor & Roof

Where and How Built? Most factory built (pre-engineered) Most 2X4 or 2X6 w/ toothed fasteners Order how? Span Loads Pitch (roof) Overhang Wood Manufactured Components TRUSSES

Where and How Built?

Most factory built (pre-engineered)

Most 2X4 or 2X6 w/ toothed fasteners

Order how?

Span

Loads

Pitch (roof)

Overhang

Wood Manufactured Components I-JOIST Uses Floors and Roofs Sizes Typically, 9-1/2” TO 24 “ DEEP Length up to 40 FEET+ Composition TOP & BOTTOM - LUMBER OR Laminated WEB - OSB, PLYWOOD Cost Comparable to a 2x

Uses

Floors and Roofs

Sizes

Typically, 9-1/2” TO 24 “ DEEP

Length up to 40 FEET+

Composition

TOP & BOTTOM - LUMBER OR Laminated

WEB - OSB, PLYWOOD

Cost

Comparable to a 2x

Why Use Trusses or I-Joists? Less material (less weight) More efficient use of wood Increased Span Increased dimensional stability Installation savings (labor)

Less material (less weight)

More efficient use of wood

Increased Span

Increased dimensional stability

Installation savings (labor)

Structural Composite Lumber (LVL)

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS & PANELS Wood Panels Plywood (alternating veneers of lumber) Wood Panels Process: Rotary Slicing

Wood Panels

Plywood (alternating veneers of lumber)

Wood Panels

Process: Rotary Slicing

Wood Panel Products Why Panelize? More “controlled” product Efficient use of forest products Increase labor productivity Types Plywood panels Composite panels Nonveneered panels

Why Panelize?

More “controlled” product

Efficient use of forest products

Increase labor productivity

Types

Plywood panels

Composite panels

Nonveneered panels

Veneered Panels - Plywood Thin layers of veneer glued together Odd number of veneers Alternating direction of veneers Face veneers parallel Size: 4’x8’ panels Thickness: ¼” to 1”

Thin layers of veneer glued together

Odd number of veneers

Alternating direction of veneers

Face veneers parallel

Size: 4’x8’ panels

Thickness: ¼” to 1”

Composite Panels Parallel outside face veneers Core - Reconstituted wood fibers

Parallel outside face veneers

Core - Reconstituted wood fibers

Veneer Grades Based on the smoothness & integrity of the veneers Classifications; A, B, C (plugged), C, D Price Variances C Grade C Plugged A Grade

Based on the smoothness & integrity of the veneers

Classifications; A, B, C (plugged), C, D

Price Variances

Non-veneered Panels Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Strips are oriented for more strength Waferboard “ flakes”; un-oriented Particleboard Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) Particleboard Fiberboard

Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Strips are oriented for more strength

Waferboard

“ flakes”; un-oriented

Particleboard

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Long strand like wood particles Alternate grain orientation (3-5 layers) Compressed / glued Strongest of the Non-veneered Uses; Sheathing for floor, roofs, & siding

Long strand like wood particles

Alternate grain orientation (3-5 layers)

Compressed / glued

Strongest of the Non-veneered

Uses; Sheathing for floor, roofs, & siding

Plywood vs. OSB 1994 American Plywood Association (APA) changes name to “APA - Engineered Wood Products” 1994-1995 (per Georgia Pacific) Plywood Production 19 billion sf and declining OSB Production 10 billion sf and increasing 1999 - OSB market share > Plywood

1994 American Plywood Association (APA) changes name to “APA - Engineered Wood Products”

1994-1995 (per Georgia Pacific)

Plywood Production 19 billion sf and declining

OSB Production 10 billion sf and increasing

1999 - OSB market share > Plywood

Waferboard & Particleboard Waferboard Large wafer-like particles - No orientation Uses; Low moisture areas Particleboard Small wood particles No orientation Uses; Low moisture areas

Waferboard

Large wafer-like particles - No orientation

Uses; Low moisture areas

Particleboard

Small wood particles

No orientation

Uses; Low moisture areas

Chemical Treatment Combustibility Fire retartant Impregnated under pressure Decay & Insect Pressure impregnated Up to a 30 year life Types CREOSOTE PENTACHOROPHENOL (oily, can’t paint) WATERBORNE SALTS (greenish, can paint) Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) being phased out

Combustibility

Fire retartant

Impregnated under pressure

Decay & Insect

Pressure impregnated

Up to a 30 year life

Types

CREOSOTE

PENTACHOROPHENOL (oily, can’t paint)

WATERBORNE SALTS (greenish, can paint)

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) being phased out

Wood Polymer Composite Planks Advantages: Decay Resistance Easy Workability

Advantages:

Decay Resistance

Easy Workability

Wood Fasteners Nails Wood & Lag Screws Bolts Toothed Plates Sheet Metal & Metal Framing Devices Machine Driven Staples & Nails Adhesives

Nails

Wood & Lag Screws

Bolts

Toothed Plates

Sheet Metal & Metal Framing Devices

Machine Driven Staples & Nails

Adhesives

Nails Sharpened metal pins Installation: Hammer or mechanical nail gun Common Nails Finish Nails Other types

Sharpened metal pins

Installation: Hammer or mechanical nail gun

Common Nails

Finish Nails

Other types

NAILS & FASTENERS Basic Types: Common (typical nail) Finish (smaller head) Ring (edges to grip) Cement (glue-coated) Finishes: Steel (will rust) Stainless steel (won’t rust) Aluminum (won’t rust) Not structural (used for siding & trim) Galvanized (rust-resistant)

Basic Types:

Common (typical nail)

Finish (smaller head)

Ring (edges to grip)

Cement (glue-coated)

Finishes:

Steel (will rust)

Stainless steel (won’t rust)

Aluminum (won’t rust)

Not structural (used for siding & trim)

Galvanized (rust-resistant)

16d Galvanized 16d Sinker Deformed Shank 10d Galv. Spiral Finish Nail Roofing Nail (far right)

Nails Size - Measured in pennies Coatings Bright/ Plain uncoated steel Corrosion-resistant Resin/Vinyl Why is it measured in pennies?

Size - Measured in pennies

Coatings

Bright/ Plain

uncoated steel

Corrosion-resistant

Resin/Vinyl

NAILS & FASTENERS

Anchorage End Nail parallel to grain weakest Basic Nailing Methods: Face Nail 90° to grain strongest Toe Nail diagonal with grain “ OK” method

End Nail

parallel to grain

weakest

Basic Nailing Methods:

Face Nail

90° to grain

strongest

Toe Nail

diagonal with grain

“ OK” method

Machine Driven Nails & Staples Nail Guns, Staple guns Pneumatic (or electric) Pre-packaged fasteners (collated nails) Improved Productivity Used in many applications Power actuated fasteners Battery Powered Electric Nailer Collated Nails

Nail Guns, Staple guns

Pneumatic (or electric)

Pre-packaged fasteners (collated nails)

Improved Productivity

Used in many applications

Power actuated fasteners

Wood Screws Head type Phillips Slotted Square head Pan, flat, round, etc Sizing Gauge & Length Wire gauge (samples #8 & #10) Length in inches (and factions) Installation Hand screw driver “ Screw gun”, or drill Holding power Tighter, stronger than nails Can be “backed” out, & reinserted Uses Cabinetwork Some framing applications Decking - better hold - less squeak Deck Screws Types of ‘Heads ’

Head type

Phillips

Slotted

Square head

Pan, flat, round, etc

Sizing

Gauge & Length

Wire gauge (samples #8 & #10)

Length in inches (and factions)

Installation

Hand screw driver

“ Screw gun”, or drill

Holding power

Tighter, stronger than nails

Can be “backed” out, & reinserted

Uses

Cabinetwork

Some framing applications

Decking - better hold - less squeak

Lag & Drywall Screws Lag Screws Large screws Square or octagonal head Installed w/ wrench Drywall screws Used to attach drywall Drywall Screws (Size, 1 ¼, 1 5/8, 2 “) Screw Gun - Fast, Wood or Metal

Lag Screws

Large screws

Square or octagonal head

Installed w/ wrench

Drywall screws

Used to attach drywall

Drywall Screws (Size, 1 ¼, 1 5/8, 2 “)

Screw Gun - Fast, Wood or Metal

Bolts Heavier structural connections COMMONLY USED W/ TIMBER CONSTRUCTION Sizes 1/4 inch to 1 inch+ LENGTH; ABOUT ANY (PRACTICALLY 10-12”) Types Machine SQUARE OR OCTAGONAL HEAD USED WITH WASHER Carriage ROUND BUTTON HEAD SQUARE SHANK INHIBITS TURNING Washers DISTRIBUTE THE COMPRESSIVE FORCE

Heavier structural connections

COMMONLY USED W/ TIMBER CONSTRUCTION

Sizes

1/4 inch to 1 inch+

LENGTH; ABOUT ANY (PRACTICALLY 10-12”)

Types

Machine

SQUARE OR OCTAGONAL HEAD

USED WITH WASHER

Carriage

ROUND BUTTON HEAD

SQUARE SHANK INHIBITS TURNING

Washers

DISTRIBUTE THE COMPRESSIVE FORCE

Toothed Plates Sheet metal plate w/ numerous teeth Used with roof & floor trusses Pressed into members Very effective fasteners

Sheet metal plate w/ numerous teeth

Used with roof & floor trusses

Pressed into members

Very effective fasteners

Sheet Metal Framing Devices Light Wood Framing Joist Hangers Framing anchors Angle anchors Rafter anchor Heavy Timber or Laminated Framing

Light Wood Framing

Joist Hangers

Framing anchors

Angle anchors

Rafter anchor

Heavy Timber or Laminated Framing

Widely used in the manufacture of wood products Wood panels Laminated wood Cabinetry On Site Uses Floor sheathing Base (sole) plates Wall panels Paneling (where there is a need for concealed fasteners) Increase stiffness, eliminate “squeak Adhesives

Widely used in the manufacture of wood products

Wood panels

Laminated wood

Cabinetry

On Site Uses

Floor sheathing

Base (sole) plates

Wall panels

Paneling (where there is a need for concealed fasteners)

Increase stiffness, eliminate “squeak

Additional Resources The Encyclopedia of Wood by: Aidan Walker Check out course website: Articles from Fine Homebuilding Magazine Website links

Check out course website:

Articles from Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Website links