The term “engineered wood” seems a bit of an oxymoron. Wood, after all, is designed and built entirely by a little corporation called Mother Nature. It’s natural and perfect – for the most part.
As is our nature as humans, though, we have set out to engineer a better, stronger wood. Like the 6 Million Dollar Man, engineered wood retains the natural characteristics that make it what it is, while adding a dash of technology to improve the product – at least for certain tasks, like fighting bad guys in the case of Steve Austin, or strengthening structures in the case of engineered wood.
What, exactly, is engineered wood?
Glad you asked. Engineered wood (or composite wood, man-made wood or manufactured board) combines a variety of wood types, ground into particles, and bonds them together with manufactured fibers and adhesives to create a precise design capable of meeting the unique needs of certain construction projects. There are a variety of different materials and methods used to create engineered wood – each need calls for a different type of product. Engineered wood is also built to meet the national and international standards for construction material.
Where is engineered wood used?
Short answer – anywhere. Or at least, anywhere that requires strong building materials. Engineered wood is particularly useful for large structures that require large, continuous and pliable beams. School gymnasiums, convention halls, large towers with atriums – any large and open structure will benefit from using engineered wood. Engineered wood is a great option for flooring too – it provides strength, durability and beauty.
Why use engineered wood?
Simple. It all comes down to your needs for span and strength. Say, for instance, you need multiple 100-foot long beams to build a brand new gymnasium. If you were to use natural wood, you’d need to cut down multiple 100-foot Redwood trees (not recommended) and then somehow cut and bend each trunk perfectly to fit your design (impossible). Engineered wood solves the problem. It can be constructed, cut and molded to meet the exact specifications of the job at hand.
What does engineered wood look like?
It looks like wood. That’s kind of the point. The best part – it can be designed to look like any type of wood, in any color, to match a design concept. Engineered woods were created for both structural flexibility and visual appeal. You could use metal beams to get the necessary strength for a large structure, but wood just looks so much better!
Is engineered wood expensive?
It depends. As a rule of thumb, engineered wood from a lumber yard costs roughly the same as traditional wood. The true price, however, really depends on the particular project and needs. In many cases, engineered wood can be cheaper than traditional wood.
What types of engineered woods are available?
Lots of different types of engineered wood are available at lumber yards. You can choose the right combination of look and function for just about any project. Here’s a sample of some popular engineered woods:
Glulam Beams offer superior strength and span over a solid beam counterpart. These beams are able to support large distances, can be custom made for archways, and are available in several grades.
SolidStart Beams are used in remodels, new construction and even on manufactured homes. They help lower material and labor costs, as well as prevent callbacks. LP SolidStart LVL is extremely strong, consistent, and straight. LP SolidStart I-Joists are known for value, size, strength, and reliability.
Tru-Dry Timbers are perfect for big jobs. Utilizing a revolutionary drying process, Tru-Dry timbers remain straight, stable, and true long after installation. With uniform moisture content and the resulting stability, Tru-Dry has clear advantages over other engineered timbers.
Does JW Lumber sell engineered wood?
We sure do! Our lumber yard has a great selection, including Lamboo, Glulam beams, SolidStart beams and Tru-Dry timbers. Let’s discuss your needs and find the product that will work best for your project. Contact us or stop by one of our showrooms today!