Engineering & Testing

Opinion: Builders Need to Innovate

January 3, 2012

Builders need to innovate to get potential buyers off the dime. A survey of 3,000 Americans showed that a large majority of homeowners, 72 percent, think it’s a good time to buy. Yet they’re not buying, largely because their “current home is fine” and they have “no urgency to buy.”

Examining Roof Truss Connector Importance

January 3, 2012

To most builders, roof truss connectors are a mere side-note of construction. In truth, it’s one of the most important elements of a building.

Video Highlights Unique Truss Design

January 3, 2012

A Youtube video featuring an unique truss design.

Further Developments Regarding Southern Pine Design Values

December 22, 2011

This week, SBCA sent a letter to ALSC requesting they provide a clear appeal procedure in writing by the end of the week, to which SPIB issued a response letter.  In addition, AFP shared with its customers its letter succinctly outlining why ALSC should postpone ruling on SPIB's recommendations.

SP Design Values: SBCA Asks Industry for Help

December 19, 2011

Due to the additional resources used for the unexpected Southern Pine lumber issue, SBCA has started a legal and technical fund to help offset the costs.

SP Design Value Forum Report Released

December 19, 2011

The results of a working session of Southern Pine lumber producers, component manufacturers, builders, lumber dealers and technical experts regarding proposed design values for visually graded Southern Pine lumber are now available in a  report. 

SPIB Holds Firm, Despite Alternatives

December 12, 2011

SBCA has tried to foster a positive outcome to the Southern Pine Lumber (SP) design value issue. However, based on the letter issued by the SPIB this week, it appears SPIB is unwilling to consider any alternate approach to the one they took.

Opinion: SYP Issue Illustrates Superiority of CFS

December 12, 2011

The southern pine situation illustrates what many builders and designers already know: Cold-formed steel framing is not just more stable, durable, strong and uniform than wood framing.

2 Key SYP Design Value Developments

December 8, 2011

Two significant developments have occurred with regard to the issue of Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) lumber design values leading up to the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) Board of Review hearing scheduled for January 5, 2012.

MSR/MEL Reliable and Available

December 8, 2011

Recently, there have been design value changes proposed for some visual grades of lumber. This is a reminder that these decisions will have no impact on the design values of MSR and MEL lumber.