Lately, competing building materials have been using construction fires as an opportunity to attack wood construction. It’s true; fires do occur in buildings under construction. But they occur in buildings of all material types, including concrete and steel. However, because wood...

At the American Wood Council, our engineers develop state-of-the-art engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design. They are also very involved in our work with building and fire codes, providing the technical background and research...

While it’s well known that wood products offer a wide variety of environmental benefits – typically less embodied energy, lower air and water pollution, and a lighter carbon footprint than other commonly used building materials – it can often be a challenge to translate this...

Mass timber, including cross-laminated timber (CLT), has been in use worldwide for over 15 years, but most notably in Europe. However, North American designers and engineers are increasingly showing interest in picking up the trend. Building with mass timber for taller buildings has...

Engineers Week is February 19 – 25 February 19 – 25 is National Engineers Week. The week celebrates the impact engineers make on our daily lives and encourages young people to consider engineering as a career. For a trade association, AWC employs a lot of engineers and we see the...

On January 3, the 115th U.S. Congress convenes for its opening day proceedings and the first orders of official business begin. The annual budget process will commence over the coming months and Congress will largely determine federal spending allocations, including how funds are distributed by...

The winter season is upon us, and families across the country are decorating their homes for holiday festivities. Unfortunately, this time of year is also marked by an increase in fires – with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reporting the highest occurrence of candle and...

The American free enterprise system has been the greatest engine for prosperity in world history and has the potential to deliver a promising economic future for our country and around the globe. However, manufacturing in the United States faces significant challenges in an increasingly...

National Forest Products Week Recognizes the Environmental and Economic Benefits of Wood Products The third week of every October is designated as National Forest Products Week, this year held October 16–22. Like others, we commemorate the week, an annual recognition of the many...

As we head into the fall, families across the country have been spending more time in the backyard, often on their porches or decks. This fact serves as a good reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety of the outdoor spaces we enjoy so much. Unfortunately, deck collapses all too often...