Although all of our companies are focused on their bottom lines, many of us also welcome opportunities to give back to our communities. TechWood had one such opportunity this year, when we partnered with Global Fireproof Solutions, Inc. to support the construction and renovation of a...

When given a truss design project, the Truss Designer needs all of the loading parameters before starting work on it. This article will specifically discuss the Thermal Factor (Ct), which is part of the snow load calculations. As with any load parameter, using the wrong value will result in a...

This article originally appeared in STRUCTURE Magazine and is reprinted with permission. One of the more hotly debated topics in the multi-story wood community is whether wall stud and truss or joist alignment is required over the full height of a building, or whether it is beneficial to...

Many buildings place mechanical equipment—such as air conditioning units, heaters, or ventilation systems—on the roof. These are known as Roof Top Units (RTUs). Installing this equipment on the roof helps save valuable floor space inside the building. RTUs come in a wide range of...

Have you heard the big news? In December, TechWood unveiled two new fire-rated wall assemblies that not only meet IBC/IRC code-compliant fire protection for residential and commercial construction, but exceed code, adding exclusive protections against mold, rot, and termites while stabilizing...

As you’re building your 2026 calendar, be sure to block in time for our next wood construction course sponsored by the Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education program. Co-sponsored by the International Code Council, this spring we’re offering “Wood Design, Loads,...

For the first time in U.S. model building code history, tornado design provisions for Risk Category III and IV buildings are given in the 2024 IBC. In fact, John ‘Buddy’ Showalter and Sandra Hyde have an excellent article on this, “2024 IBC Significant Structural Changes...

In early November, the Truss Plate Institute (TPI) was proud to announce the launch of our two new ANSI standards projects: TPI 2 – National Standard for Testing Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses and TPI 3 – National Design Standard for Bracing Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses....

We enjoyed a productive week at BCMC in Omaha, strengthening relationships and renewing our commitment to the truss industry, and we hope you can say the same! Timber Products Inspection (TP) returned with our popular ANSI/TPI 1 Chapter 3 challenge truss, designed to test participants’...

Joist hangers are simple to install, but ignoring details can cause issues with inspectors and lead to project delays. At our office, we often see the same mistakes repeated—simple errors that are easy to avoid with proper care and following best practices. Here are the five most common...