Posted by MoparNorm on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 12:49PM :
In Reply to: Fiber vs wood posted by David Sherman on Monday, January 16, 2006 at 4:47PM :
Good info but a tad inaccurate when you talk about "any chunk" of wood. The grading system DOES take strength into account, the "Select Structural" and "Structural No.1" are indeed specifically for strength. Also if you look at the 1996 and newer UBC (Uniform Building Code) you will see that the fiber density of lumber HAS been taken into effect and allowable spans have been decreasing as a result. IE: wood has been getting weaker and the engineers know it. Otherwise some very good information. As a last add about grading, NONE of the "homeowner grades" found at Lowe's or Home Depot are REAL grades and would NEVER pass inspection by building inspectors in certain states, such as CA or Pacific COast states with siesmic codes. The stamp MUST be by WCLB, not Beaver Builders "const" grade.
#2 or better is nominal for residential building, but No.1 and Select Structural are required for commercial, institutional and public buildings, again depending upon the jurisdiction and competentcy of the inspector.
MN
PS: Dodge content, I haul all of that approved lumber in a Ram 3500....= )
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