Engineered lumber is better for the environment than conventional lumber, and it has advantages for he builder as well. Engineered wood is produced from renewable forests, and much of it is made from parts of the tree that are discarded in the manufacturing of solid sawn lumber. It is produced under strict engineering guidelines to meet specific design requirements such as span lengths and strength, and it is manufactured to a uniform standard of performance.
For floor systems, architects and structural engineers prefer engineered lumber to solid sawn lumber because they can select a system that will meet their exact design requirements. They know that the wood will perform consistently throughout the floor system. Engineered wood is available in longer lengths than conventional lumber, and this allows for greater floor spans and more open floor designs. Longer lengths also allow the floor system to be istalled faster with less cutting and waste than with solid sawn lumber. In addition, engineered lumber will not swell or shrink like solid sawn lumber, which virtually eliminates warping and twisting.
As we become more aware of the need to preserve our natural resources, we expect more efficient use of our forests. Engineered floor systems will become an accepted and expected product in home design.
By: Bill Wardwell
