Engineered wood is an extremely useful building material for any kind of building. In a recent blog, we discussed why engineered wood was helpful in construction, but we did not discuss the purpose of the different varieties of engineered wood products (EWPs). Different EWPs have been engineered to be useful for different purposes. Take a look at these various types of engineered wood and how they are supposed to be used in construction.

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

Laminated Veneer Lumber is constructed from thin sheets of wood that are glued together. It is extremely strong and can hold heavy loads. This feature makes it an excellent building material for beams and structural construction. LVL can be crafted to be longer than a natural beam, and it has been engineered to hold heavier loads.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Oriented Strand Board is a cheaper alternative to plywood. It is created from strands and fibers from wood that have been glued together with hot wax and adhesive. This creates large boards that are an excellent building material for wall sheathing and other structural building purposes.

Hardboard (HDF)

Hardboard or high-density fiberboard is a kind of engineered wood where wood pulp is densely packed together and glued with an adhesive. It can be used very similarly as OSB. However, certain varieties of hardboard are fairly flexible, so some options may be an excellent choice for curved walls.

AC Plywood

AC plywood is a wood that is often used for its aesthetic purposes. It is an excellent option for floor and ceiling construction and other building purposes. It can also be used as wall sheathing. It is one of the most expensive types of EWP, so often OSB is a better option for structural construction.

CDX Plywood

CDX plywood can be used very similarly to AC plywood. However, it does not have the same aesthetic look as AC plywood. It is much stronger than AC plywood. This makes it an excellent building material for any type of floor or ceiling structural construction.

I-Joists

I-joists have been designed to carry large loads. They are a building material used in all areas of structural construction, such as in floor trusses and roof trusses. They have been designed in a specific shape that allows them to hold heavier loads.

Engineered wood products are very useful in many different ways. Not only are they helpful in many different areas of construction, but they are also more environmentally friendly. They are crafted from bits of wood that normally would have been wasted. However, with the invention of EWPs, more products were being created from fewer trees. This also gave building products suppliers the ability to sell the EWPs for less than traditional lumber costs. This benefit greatly lowers the cost of construction projects while improving the strength of the structure of the buildings that are being constructed.

If you are planning a new construction project, discuss your project with a lumber expert. He or she can advise you on the best types of engineered wood products for your project and other building materials that you may need.

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