Engineered Wood Systems & Products

Introduction

Engineered wood is a broad term for any man-made (engineered) product created by binding wood fibers, particles, etc. with adhesives to form a composite material. It also takes these products and sometimes combines them with nominal wood or dimensional lumber to create a new, ‘engineered product’. Engineered wood products exist because they are designed to be more durable, stable, and versatile than solid wood — essentially, they are designed to be more ‘predictable’. Common applications range from structure, to finish elements like furniture and flooring.

Mass Timber (MT)

Mass timber is a form of engineered wood. See our full post here.

Composite Decking

Composite Decking | Wood-Plastic Composite:

A mixture of small wood fibers and plastic that is formed into planks to use for exterior decks and railings. Colorants, stabilizers, and fungicides may be added. The exact mixture proportions depend on the manufacturer but are typically 50 percent wood and 50 percent plastic.

• Generally last longer than wood and are easier to maintain.
• Strong, durable, and splinter free.
• Less waste material as the decking is less defect prone compared to wood.
• Typically made of recycled materials which can qualify for LEED credits.
• Composite decks can be very hot underfoot, especially if a dark color is used. Many manufacturers now provide proprietary types that have a composition which makes the product not get as hot.