Merchant Magazine July 2013

MERCHANT

ENGINEERED WOOD UPDATE  TREATED GLULAMS  POWER TOOL TRENDS

The

JULY 2013

Magazine

THE VOICE OF THE WEST’S LBM DEALERS & DISTRIBUTORS – SINCE 1922

Osmose has long been a leader in the research and development of new products and services in all areas of lumber preservation technology. We provide innovative wood preservative products, advanced engineering services and customized marketing services to our valued customers.

Established in 1934, Osmose, Inc. is recognized as a world premier supplier of lumber preservative technologies. Osmose has a long history of successful development and diversification into specialized areas of wood preservation.

MicroPro pressure treated wood products are treated with Micronized Copper Quaternary Compounds or Micronized Copper Azole. NatureWood pressure treated wood products are treated with Alkaline Copper Quaternary Compounds or Copper Azole. CCA pressure treated wood products are treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate. MicroPro, NatureWood, Advance Guard, FirePro and CCA treated wood products are produced by independently owned and operated wood treating facilities. MicroPro®, NatureWood®, Advance Guard®, FirePro®, and Osmose® are registered trademarks of Osmose, Inc. Colors shown in photo images may differ from actual product samples. © 6/2013

The

MERCHANT

Special Features

July 2013

Volume 92  Number 1

Magazine

In Every Issue

9 MANAGEMENT TIPS

BUILD LOYALTY INTO SAFETY PROGRAMS

10 MARGIN BUILDERS

THE LATEST IN CORDLESS TOOLS

12 FEATURE STORY

PRESSURE TREATING GLULAMS

14 SPECIAL SECTION: APA ON EWP

UPDATE ON ENGINEERED WOOD, PANELS

38 PHOTO RECAP: DIXIELINE’S 100TH

6 TOTALLY RANDOM 22 COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE 26 OLSEN ON SALES 28 MOVERS & SHAKERS 32 NEW PRODUCTS 43 APP WATCH 43 ASSOCIATION UPDATE

44 IN MEMORIAM 44 CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE 45 DATE BOOK 46 IDEA FILE 46 ADVERTISERS INDEX

Online BREAKING INDUSTRY NEWS, EVENT PHOTOS, & DIGITAL EDITION OF THE MERCHANT

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CHANGE OF ADDRESS Send address label from recent issue, new address, and 9-digit zip to address below.

Superior Performance Through Superior Chemistry

For your Mold and Iron Stain Problems For a consultation, call 1-877-283-3021 4

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POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872.

The Merchant Magazine (ISSN 7399723) (USPS 796-560) is published monthly at 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660-1872 by Cutler Publishing, Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Newport Beach, Ca., and additional post offices. It is an independently-owned publication for the retail, wholesale and distribution levels of the lumber and building products markets in 13 western states.

Copyright®2013 by Cutler Publishing, Inc. Cover and entire contents are fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission.

All Rights Reserved. It reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter, and assumes no liability for materials furnished to it.

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TOTALLY Random

By Alan Oakes

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Magazine

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A publication of Cutler Publishing

How is your brand perceived?

USINESS CAN EASILY be seen as just about numbers. In itself, it is soulless. It is about hitting financial goals to make a profit in line with projections.

What that statement does not say is that reaching those goal posts takes far more than just achieving a set of numbers. It is about creating core values that not only you recognize in your company, but that your employees, vendors, customers and prospects notice, as well. It has always been interesting over my career to see how my vision of who we thought we were aligned with those outside the company—among both customers and vendors. From time to time, I have been mightily shocked to find out that perceptions were not quite the same.

Many of us buy the same brands over and over again, whether it’s a Pepsi cola, Starbucks coffee, Colgate toothpaste, or Apple iPhone. Why? Because we trust the brand. We might think that branding is only for big multinationals in consumer goods, but I would argue that every company needs a brand image. And most of us may have no clue what our brand stands for!

Many companies survive by just being there, but few can become industry leaders if they have not created an aura around them that inspires others to do business with them over and over again. They have not created value and they have not created “brand identity.” Making exceptional profits can easily be done in the short term, but sustaining exceptional profits year in and year out requires much more.

Leader companies have learned it’s more than just building sales; it’s about building long and lasting relationships. The good companies build a culture that will last far longer than the products they make. And what often stands out more than anything is the employee culture that just oozes from them in all that they do. Look at the reps who call on your business. Have you ever thought about the ones who just seem to call for a lunch or coffee and how they differ from those who seem to want to make your business better? Leader companies create real partnerships. They are constantly on the lookout for ways to make customers better at their businesses and to build trust.

Core values of an organization have to be lived and breathed every day by everyone in the organization. See the customer as a true partner, not the enemy (and, yes, I have seen this in a number of organizations). “Do what is right” should be the overriding decision-maker in every organization.

In past columns I have suggested ridding yourself of unprofitable customers. But it is equally true that with the right set of values, companies will want to do business with you if you set yourself as the brand to trust and the one to do business with. You will find customers who are avidly loyal and who will spread the word to others, especially in a close-knit community like ours. It should be far more about a relationship than a financial transaction and the best price. A recent Harvard Business Review study of more than 7,000 consumers showed that 64% cited shared values as the reason for their brand loyalty. Not price!

So the questions to ask: What are the values of your company? Is there a core set of values guiding how you do business, running from the bottom to the top of your organization? Does the company truly identify with employees, vendors and customers?

It is hard to change ingrained culture, for sure. I have tried it on several occasions when I was brought in to do turnarounds. I have both succeeded and failed miserably. Change does not happen instantly, like turning on and off a light switch. It is not a dash, but rather a marathon—walking first, then jogging and perhaps sprinting at the end.

Certainly, for it to be a meaningful long term change, it takes enormous commitment and time and especially patience. Many companies, as they hustle to hit next month’s sales goal, feel they lack the time to switch from a transactional model to a relationship model. But when done right and it becomes the normal, everyday way of doing business, the change can ensure your brand becomes etched into hearts, minds and as the first call in the customer’s address book or Rolodex (yes, showing my age).

B

4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Publisher Alan Oakes ajoakes@aol.com Publisher Emeritus David Cutler Director of Editorial & Production David Koenig dkoenig@building-products.com Editor Karen Debats kdebats@building-products.com Contributing Editors Dwight Curran James Olsen Carla Waldemar Advertising Sales Manager Chuck Casey ccasey@building-products.com Administration Director/Secretary Marie Oakes mfpoakes@aol.com Circulation Manager Heather Kelly hkelly@building-products.com

How to Advertise

Chuck Casey Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ccasey@building-products.com Alan Oakes www.building-products.com Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 ajoakes@aol.com CLASSIFIED David Koenig Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 dkoenig@building-products.com

How to Subscribe

SUBSCRIPTIONS Heather Kelly Phone (949) 852-1990 Fax 949-852-0231 hkelly@building-products.com or send a check to 4500 Campus Dr., Ste. 480, Newport Beach, CA 92660 U.S.A.: One year (12 issues), $22 Two years, $36 Three years, $50 FOREIGN (Per year, paid in advance in US funds): Surface-Canada or Mexico, $48 Other countries, $60 Air rates also available.

SINGLE COPIES $4 + shipping BACK ISSUES $5 + shipping

Alan Oakes, Publisher ajoakes@aol.com

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MANAGEMENT Tips

By Stephen Race & Jeff Swan, TalentClick

Build loyalty into your safety program HEN YOU THINK about loyalty, an image of frequent flyer miles or Starbucks Rewards likely comes to mind. The reason why is that these companies have built significant following for their brands by consistently delivering on their promises, and doing a great job of letting people know about their rewards.

As an employer, building loyalty in your safety program can be a real challenge. Here are five key initiatives you can take to gain significant buy-in for your programs:

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Provide Clear Direction

Even the most intuitive employee can find new safety programs difficult to understand, let alone follow. By clearly outlining the details of your safety program, you will give workers a benchmark on which to base their actions, thereby making it significantly easy to follow.

Your program outline should include: • Long-term & short-term goals • Rules & procedures • Rewards & reprimands • Key contact for the program

Reward Safe Actions

A successful safety program will include some level of rewards for compliance. Even something as simple as public recognition of a worker’s efforts in the company newsletter is enough to motivate them to care about the program. Of course, the more significant the rewards offered, the more effective the program might be.

However, you should be cautious of making the rewards too big or they’ll eclipse the long-term safety improvement objectives your company is trying to achieve.

Show Your Commitment

A short-term program does nothing to change the attitudes and behaviors of your staff. Show that your company is in it for the long haul by making long-term objectives and a holistic game plan that transcends the calendar. The program itself should exist year over year, with procedures in place to make continuous and regular improvements. A great way to show your commitment is to have an effective communication program.

Spread the Word

Speaking of communication, this is extremely important to a successful safety program. Not to be confused with “provide clear direction,” spreading the word about your Building-Products.com

SHARP AWARD from Maine’s Department of Labor and OSHA was presented to Deering Lumber, Kennebunk, Me.

safety program should involve sharing the results gained from companywide buy-in. The more workers see the benefit of their actions the more they will want to contribute.

Easy ways to communicate are company newsletters, personal emails, announcements at team meetings, and even something as simple as word of mouth among the workforce.

Be Safe

It’s not enough to pay lip service to safety. If your company is not making improvements even though you’re taking part in all of the above, you may need to rethink your strategy. Otherwise, workers will catch on and will no longer find value in the program in any way. To really build loyalty from your staff, workers need to genuinely feel that your workplace is a safe place to work. Take every step you can to ensure that your company has the tools, equipment, and procedures it needs to be a safer company and worker loyalty will build.

Typically, companies that experience measurable returns on their safety records commit completely to making improvements from the head office all the way to the front lines. Employees must be fully informed and empowered to make decisions to improve the level of safety in the organization in order for their programs to succeed.

– Stephen Race is chief product officer and co-founder of TalentClick, Vancouver, B.C., which provides employee and workplace assessments. Jeff Swan is marketing manager.

July 2013

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MARGIN Builders

By Warren Corrado, Paslode

Lock on to the latest in cordless nailers of any job depends on the management of time, labor and materials. Helping to arm your customers with the right tools to avoid costly delays puts them on the path to a successful season.

Since the products you’re carrying this year are more advanced and diversified than last year’s offering, it’s an ideal time to educate customers on what’s new and what these introductions can mean to their productivity on the jobsite.

For example, recent advancements in cordless nailing systems allow remodeling and construction professionals to drive powerful results with portable freedom. By informing your customers about the latest cordless offerings and innovations, you can help give them an edge up on the competition.

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HE EFFICIENCY

When Should Customers Use Cordless?

While pneumatic nailers are still a popular choice for large jobs and new construction work, cordless nailing systems are a sound alternative for most projects. From framing jobs to roof repairs to finish work, today’s convenient

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cordless systems are designed to provide the perfect balance of tool, fuel and nails, as well as freedom from hoses, clutter and noise on the jobsite.

To help your customers determine which tools are the right fit for their upcoming jobs, the following are a few examples of when cordless systems make the most sense for your clientele: For customers tackling repair jobs with a budget that only allows for one person, a cordless tool is a good choice. Having one hand free to carry materials and perform precision work increases productivity, allowing them to complete the job quickly and profitably.

Although the remodeler or contractor you’re talking to may already have pneumatic tools in their truck, adding a cordless tool gives them added flexibility and versatility to tackle jobs quickly. Just take the tool out of the case, load the fuel, and start working.

If a remodeler’s work has them in a finished space, cordless tools eliminate the clutter and damage caused by dragging a compressor and hoses around.

When the customer is working on a job while the homeBuilding-Products.com

owner is around, cordless tools are quieter than the constant thrumming of air compressors. Plus, there is no set-up and tear down, so they can get in, out and on to the next job.

Common Misperceptions about Cordless

Throughout the years, you’ve probably encountered many misperceptions about cordless nailers. In light of recent innovations and advancements, you now have the opportunity to share some “myth busters” with your customers.

For example, when working with customers who think cordless systems don’t have the power of pneumatic nailers, you have the opportunity to educate them on the highperformance options on the market today. Using a leading manufacturer’s cordless nailing systems (with their patented nail-tip coatings) will give comparable drive performance to a pneumatic tool with all the major nail sizes and wood substrates.

Another misconception is that cordless systems don’t have the speed to keep up with pneumatic tools. Unless you’re doing production roofing, sheathing, or running commercial lengths of baseboard, cordless roofing, framing, and trim nailing systems will keep pace with pneumatics. In fact, many cordless users find they save time with cordless, as they don’t have to spend 15 to 20 minutes at the beginning and end of each job dealing with compressor and hose set-up and tear-down.

A common belief is that cordless nailers are only as good as their batteries. However, the batteries used in cordless systems have come a long way in the last few years.

When working with a customer who is concerned about battery life and charging times, point them in the direction of a nailer with a lithium-ion battery. “Li-ion” cordless nailing systems on the market drive up to 6,000 nails per charge, can reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, or give you enough power in two minutes to drive 200 nails.

Some customers may think that one cordless system fits all jobs. While a single cordless nailer can come in handy for an array of different projects, remodeling and building professionals should take advantage of systems that are customized for each unique application. For example, cordless finish nailer systems are designed to handle all types of trim projects, from crown molding to cabinet installation to baseboards and chair rails. These tools can also handle moving walls, framing room additions, base-

Cordless Powers Growth in Tools

Among power tools, demand for cordless electric tools will experience the most robust growth, growing 8.3% through 2016, according to a recent Freedonia Group forecast.

Due to their inherent convenience and mobility, cordless tools will continue to replace plug-in models.

Technological improvements in the battery industry have increased the power and running time of cordless equipment, allowing these products to overcome historical price and performance disadvantages. Due to their lower weight and smaller size, lithium-ion batteries are rapidly displacing nickel-cadmium models.

Global power tool demand is predicted to increase 4.5% annually through 2016 to $28.1 billion, sparked by a recovery in the U.S. construction market.

Building-Products.com

HELP PROS increase productivity with the newest cordless systems.

Photos by Paslode

ments, and kitchen and bath remodels.

Since fuel cells need to be replenished, some contractors may question if a cordless tool would create additional trips back to you, their supplier. However, many current cordless users report that their initial investment in a cordless system pays off in labor and time saved on the job. If they use convenient combo packs with enough fuel to drive all the nails in the pack, they can eliminate those mid-day trips for more fuel.

The Strength Is in the System

When it comes to providing customers with the right amount of fuel and nails for their project, this is where you can really showcase how cordless nailers maximize efficiency on the jobsite. Top manufacturers offer convenient combo packs with enough fuel to drive all the nails in the pack.

This balanced approach keeps projects on time and within budget. The customer’s crew isn’t leaving the jobsite and running to you for additional supplies since you already provided exactly what was needed. It’s easy to see that this system approach takes productivity to a whole new level, giving your customers an edge up on the competition.

By seizing the opportunity to inform your customers about what today’s cordless nailer systems can offer, you can increase your revenue while improving their productivity and profitability.

– Warren Corrado is marketing manager for Paslode, a division of Illinois Tools Works Inc., Vernon Hills, Il. Reach him at warren.corrado@paslode.com.

July 2013

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FEATURE Story Treated Glulams

POWER PRESERVED beams and columns from Anthony Forest Products, El Dorado, Ar., are protected with copper naphthenate.

Treating strengthens exterior glulams LUED LAMINATED timber has been on the job for more than a hundred years. Whatever the need—from long clear spans to soaring arches—glulams perform with strength and beauty.

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But there’s more to this engineered wood product than what meets the eye. For exterior applications involving ground contact and exposure to water or dampness, glulams can be pressure treated, which also provides protection against wood-destroying insects and fungi.

“On the residential side of the market, treated glulams have been growing marketshare when traditional treated southern pine lumber and beams do not make the span,” says Kerlin Drake, vice president of marketing at Anthony Forest Products, El Dorado, Ar. “They have been a mainstay in the non-residential market for bridges, park shelters, and in exterior environments where treated structural members are required.”

Glulams are also environmentally friendly. Not only are they manufactured from a renewable resource—smalldiameter trees—but they also has lower embodied energy than reinforced concrete and steel.

Anthony treats its Power Preserved glulams and columns with copper naphthenate, carried by mineral spirits. Drake says that the advantages of oil-based treatments is that “there is no swelling of the wood fiber, less checking, cupping and twisting, and there are no strength reducBuilding-Products.com

tions for the beams, unlike lumber and beams treated with water-borne preservatives.”

When glulams are used in visible, interior applications—exposed beams, trusses, and arches—premium grades are specified, to highlight the beauty of real wood. However, using these same beams outside, especially in applications that require water and insect resistance, can be a problem because pressure treatment imparts a green color.

As a solution, Rosboro now offers a treated version of its X-Beam glulam. Constructed of coastal Douglas fir, the treated version is protected

TREATED X-BEAM produced by Rosboro, Rosboro, Or., is protected with a clear industrial wood preservative that protects against moisture and insects, without changing the color of the wood.

with Hi-Clear II, a clear industrial wood preservative that leaves the wood an attractive honey-color, but protects against decay, mold, bacteria, and insects—including the Formosan termite.

“The industry has been waiting a long time for a product like Treated X-Beam,” says David Smith, sales manager at the Rosboro, Or., company. “It not only offers a pleasing aesthetic for highly visible applications like decks, porches and balconies, but also nicely consolidates our product lines for easier specifying.”

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SPECIAL Focus APA on Engineered Wood

Housing gains bode well for EWP, structural panels positive uptick in the economy and residential construction closed 2012 on an optimistic note for the first time since the recession began, and that slow-but-steady growth is expected to continue through 2013. With indicators pointing to rising housing starts through the year and into 2014, APA-The Engineered Wood Association predicts a second straight year of growth in all four of the wood product sectors it represents.

“Last year saw across-the-board increases in structural panels, I-joists, glulam and LVL. In 2013, not only will that trend continue, but at a slightly faster pace in most cases,”

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HE SMALL BUT

said Craig Adair, APA’s market research director. “Residential construction will drive much of that growth, with pent-up demand for housing, moderately rising home prices, and growing consumer confidence having the most influence.”

Residential Markets

Housing is beginning to lead the economy and is expected to provide an economic catalyst for years to come. The residential market is gaining strength from a very low bottom, and interest rates are still low. While housing is not immune from potential tax increases and government spending cuts, momentum is favorable for a

Total Structural Panel Production U.S. and Canada

healthy increase in starts.

APA is forecasting single-family housing starts to reach 665,000, a 24% gain, as homeowners take a positive view toward purchasing a home, the job market improves, and home prices firm up in many cities.

Multifamily starts are expected to improve 35% to 330,000 units.

The remodeling market is also showing small signs of life, although the outlook is brighter into the second half of 2013 and in years following.

The NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index is above 50 for the first time since 2005, meaning that more remodelers expect business to be higher or better in the future than lower.

The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies predicts repair and remodeling expenditures to reach 2007 levels, around $145 billion, a dramatic improvement over 20082012 levels.

Non-residential, Industrial, Exports

Non-residential’s mild 3% uptick in starts in 2012 is expected to be repeated in 2013. School construction and healthcare will lead in total square footage, although the education sector will experience a small decline. Collectively, non-residential starts are expected to recover to more than 1 billion sq. ft. within the next four years.

The industrial market will see only modest growth in 2013 due to a number of factors, from government bud-

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get cuts that impact manufacturing to the millwork industry’s dependence on remodeling as well as non-residential construction. Overall, manufacturing is expected to grow about 2% this year, down from 4% in 2012; improvement to 5% growth is anticipated in 2014.

Finally, indicators point to U.S. structural panel manufacturers exporting about the same quantity of material in 2013 as in 2012.

LVL Production

Expections for Woods

Wood products demand is expected to accelerate as rapid housing growth is followed by renewed repair and remodeling energy, an upturn in the non-residential construction cycle, and industrial demand that increases with consumer spending and higher GDP growth.

Domestic (U.S. and Canada) production of OSB and plywood is expected to reach 30.5 billion sq. ft. in 2013, a 10% rise over 2012.

Glulam is predicted to see a 10% increase over 2012, reaching 248 million bd. ft. The growth is due entirely to housing, with little support from non-residential.

Growth in the I-joist market is

forecast around 17% in 2013 to 651 million linear ft., slightly slower than 2012’s 22% increase. Most of the gains will come from housing, with raised-floor construction continuing to provide a notable boost.

Increased housing starts also will drive demand for LVL, the majority of which is used for beams, headers and rimboard. LVL production should

reach 54.9 million cubic ft. in 2013, a 10% growth over 2012.

Additional market details and historical data are contained in APA’s 2013 Structural Panel & Engineered Wood Yearbook. The report is available for purchase for $250 and can be ordered through the association’s website at www.apawood.org.

Builder Tips at your Fingertips APA’s new mobile-friendly Builder Tips are optimized for easy access from tablets and smartphones, so you and your contractor customers can quickly search for and view the Builder Tip you need — whether you’re at the office or the job site. Each Builder Tip addresses a single common topic or challenge and is designed to help your customers save money and produce better homes through improved construction practices.

Go to www.apawood.org/buildertips to view free Builder Tips from APA

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SPECIAL Focus APA on Engineered Wood

Proper storage, handling reduce glulam checking

Protection from the elements, acclimation key products, glulam members may develop seasoning checks as a normal function of the moisture stabilization process. The risk and degree of checking depends on the combined effects of the glulam member’s initial moisture content, seasonal conditions, storage and handling practices in the yard and on the

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IKE ALL WOOD

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jobsite, and the in-service environment after installation. The rate at which the glulam member’s moisture content changes from manufacture to installation also will have an effect on the amount of checking.

Dealers and distributors, along with their builder customers, can minimize seasoning checks with a few simple strategies: • Avoid rapid changes in seasoning rate by construction scheduling and control of the building’s interior conditions.

• Do not unwrap and expose the glulam to the elements in early summer. As the season progresses a rapid change in moisture content is likely.

• In arid climates, avoid exposing unwrapped glulam to direct sunlight and wind.

• During storage and after installation, avoid exposing unwrapped members by providing a secondary cover/protection.

• Always store members with protection and keep members wrapped until installation.

• Limit the glulam’s exposure to the weather prior to the building’s enclosure; cover and protect the members after installation.

• Avoid rapid changes in temperatures that can affect the rate of drying during the first full heating cycle.

• Avoid direct exposure of glulam to heating outlets.

• Cut the underside of wrapping paper to guard against water “pond-

July 2013

ing” inside the wrap during jobsite storage.

• When a glulam beam is cut to length at the yard or on the jobsite, apply end sealer.

• Remove wrapping after installation in a closed space where members are allowed to stabilize naturally during construction.

• Wrap members and store them off the ground with secondary cover.

There is a higher risk of checking in hot, arid conditions where temperatures rise above 90˚ and relative humidity drops below 50%. This risk can be reduced by following the steps noted above.

If checking does occur, it is primarily an aesthetic concern. Checks can be filled with an elastomeric filler to improve appearance.

To reduce the possibility and severity of checking, it is important to coordinate delivery schedules to minimize jobsite storage. Avoid direct exposure of glulam members to climate extremes such as high temperatures, rain, and wind. Hot/dry and wet/winter climates can both create high-risk environments, depending on how quickly the moisture content is lowered. If high-risk conditions cannot be avoided, take extra precautions in storage and installation to protect beams and columns.

For more strategies for reducing glulam checking, contact APA at www.apawood.org.

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SPECIAL Focus APA on Engineered Wood

Blocking for I-joist floors

What is it and where should it be used?

- JOIST FLOORS are often installed with blocking, a rectangular piece of engineered wood or a section of Ijoist that is placed between adjacent joists at various locations. For these applications, blocking has three major functions: • To provide lateral support to the floor joists—to prevent them from physically “rolling over” due to lateral loads. This is accomplished by the shape and stiffness of the blocking panel.

• To provide a means of transferring shear loads from the walls above to the floor/foundation below. This is accomplished by nailing into the foundation sill plate or wall top plate through the bottom flanges when Ijoists are used for blocking. When APA Performance Rated Rim Boards or I-joist-compatible structural composite lumber (SCL) is used, shear transfer is accomplished by nailing into the end-grain at the top of the blocking panel and by using toe-nails or framing anchors at the bottom of

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the blocking panel.

• To provide a means of transferring vertical loads from the wall above to the foundation/floor below. The blocking is used in bearing to accomplish this.

While local code requirements vary, the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) are specific in their requirements for blocking of floor joists: In Section R502.7, the IRC requires full-depth solid blocking, attachment to the rim board/rim joist, or attachment to an adjoining stud (i.e., balloon framing) of joists at each end. In Seismic Design Categories D 0 , D 1 , and D 2 , similar lateral restraint is required at all intermediate supports as well.

Section 2308.8.2 of the IBC requires full-depth solid blocking, attachment to rim board/rim joist, or attachment to an adjoining stud (i.e., balloon framing) of joists at each end and at intermediate supports for all

July 2013

locations and all applications.

Blocking panels are normally sitefabricated out of engineered wood products on hand. Sections of APA Performance Rated I-joists, APA Performance Rated rim boards, or Ijoist compatible SCL can be used for blocking. It is essential that engineered wood products be used with an I-joist or any other engineered wood floor framing because the shrinkage anticipated with the sawn lumber would affect its ability to perform the vertical load-transfer function and could seriously impede its ability to transfer shear loads.

Fabricate the blocking panels from engineered wood products of I-joistcompatible sizes and cut to fit tightly between the floor joists.

Following are recommendations for blocking of I-joist floor systems designed in accordance with APA Ijoist standard PRI-400: • Blocking panels are required at each end of the floor joists not otherwise restrained from overturning by a band joist or rim board.

• Blocking panels are required between floor joists supporting loadbearing walls running perpendicular to the joists.

• Blocking panels are required between floor joists at the interior support in all locations when regulated by IBC or in Seismic Design Categories D 0, D 1, and D 2, when regulated by IRC. • For a load-bearing cantilever, blocking panels are required between floor joists at the exterior support adjacent to the cantilever.

• Install blocking panels in accordance with diagram below.

For more tips on I-joist installation, visit www.apawood.org and search “Builder Tips.”

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SPECIAL Focus APA on Engineered Wood

Better building at your fingertips Tips now in mobile format PA NOW OFFERS its Builder Tips series in a mobile format optimized for viewing on mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones.

Each Builder Tip addresses a single common topic or challenge in today’s building environment, such as panel buckling, squeaky floors, nail pops, glulam beam checking, and finishing APA-rated siding.

The new mobile Builder Tips are valuable tools with a “back-to-basics” emphasis on key construction recommendations, noted APA market communications director Marilyn Thomp-

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son. “We know that the labor shortage in the construction sector will result in a surge of relatively inexperienced builders and framers who need simple, easy-to-use information and training,” she said. “By making our Builder Tips more accessible to tablet and smartphone users, we’re confident we can get our key construction recommendations out to more contractors.”

The straightforward how-to articles, each paired with accompanying diagrams, are designed to help building professionals save money and improve quality on the job through

proper construction practices. For example, “Construct a Solid, Squeakfree Floor System” describes how to prevent squeaks, buckling and nail pops, and the callbacks that result from these problems. Simple construction steps, such as using dry material, are detailed.

In “Prevent Buckling With Proper Spacing,” readers learn the consequences of improper panel spacing and receive a helpful tip for ensuring they’re achieving the recommended 1/8” gap.

“Proper Storage and Handling of Glulam Beams” reveals best practices for loading, racking, packaging, and transporting glulam to ensure maximum performance upon installation.

The new mobile-friendly format allows Builder Tips to be browsed, opened and viewed at www.apawood.org/buildertips from Internetconnected devices in the office or field. Seven Builder Tips have already been optimized for mobile viewing, with more to follow soon.

All Builder Tips are still available for free download in PDF format (optimal for printing or saving for offline viewing) from APA’s Publications Library at www.apawood.org.

July 2013

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The Merchant Magazine

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