How Important are Construction Tolerances? Glenn Traylor Back in the days before Autoset C®, Matchpoint®, and Wizard®, truss set-ups and the truss profile were dependent on the truss builder’s ability to accurately jig the truss being built using cross reference information and data. For example, a heel to peak measurement was taken... Read More March 2020 Issue #12248 Page 41
A Case for Innovation in the Building Industry Craig Savage For years, I’ve been interested in why the residential building industry has been so slow to innovate. Other industries constantly innovate. The U.S. automobile industry, arguably pushed along by Japan and European car makers, continues to advance its products and production methods.... Read More March 2020 Issue #12248 Page 72
Upgrade Your Coiled Strap: How an Innovative Embossment Takes Utility Straps to the Next Level Rachel Holland CS16 coiled straps. I can’t tell you how many thousands (maybe more) I specified during my time as a consulting engineer. Straps are used everywhere. They were then, and are now, a go-to solution for drag and uplift loads. I didn’t have to look them up in the catalog — I knew... Read More February 2020 Issue #12247 Page 118
Automation is Easy with the Right Support The Spida Team Bringing in a new cutting saw – even a high-tech version – is a surprisingly straightforward experience, but it succeeds or fails based on the quality of service and know-how. From purchase through installation to on-going support, Spida will help you automate successfully. One... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 15
All Things Wood: Unpredictable Nature and Cause of Cracks at Gypsum Panel Ceiling Joints Perpendicular to Framing Frank Woeste Introduction In some arid parts of the Southwest, the occurrence and recurrence of cracks at taped gypsum panel (drywall) joints between panels in residential projects have been reported in trade magazines since the mid-1990s. In some homes of a project, one or two cracks or ridges appear at... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 60
The Last Word: The Last Word on Panelization – Floor Panels are Coming Joe Kannapell Framing a house in one day will require floor panels, or “cassettes” in modern parlance. So be ready for this final phase in componentization, creating new opportunities, more computerization, and… Low-boy or drop-deck flatbed trailers to minimize trips to job. Extra... Read More January 2020 Issue #12246 Page 129
Adjustable Hanger or Custom Hanger — You Make the Call Randy Shackelford It would be a lot simpler for designing engineers if structural connections were always for members at right angles to one another. Often, connections have to be designed for supported members that are at a skewed or sloped angle rather than perpendicular to the header. In these cases, the... Read More December 2019 Issue #11245 Page 104
Questions Answered: CSHP High-Performance Coiled Strap Rachel Holland We recently hosted an interactive webinar in which our new high-performance coiled strap’s product manager, Thom Murphy, and I discussed how an innovative embossment is a game changer for coiled strap, making it easier and faster to install with a standard framing nailer. During the... Read More November 2019 Issue #11244 Page 108
Why a Structural Boundary Member Between a Truss/Rafter is Not Optional Paul McEntee Blocking or boundary member? In my experience traveling across the country observing wood-framed construction, it was apparent that east of the Rocky Mountains, structural wood members in-line with supporting walls between roof framing cease to be installed. Some may call these wood members... Read More October 2019 Issue #11243 Page 106
Attaching a Deck Ledger to a Home Through Brick or Masonry Veneer—the BVLZ Solution Rachel Holland Brick or masonry veneer has traditionally posed a problem to homeowners and contractors seeking to attach a deck to a home without removing large portions of the veneer or siding. No longer is that the case, thanks to the innovative BVLZ brick veneer ledger connector from Simpson Strong-Tie. In... Read More July 2019 Issue #11240 Page 100