Builder's Guide to New Materials & Techniques

How to select, cut and hand engineered lumber--and build more profit into every job. Finally, here's the one-stop resource you need to master the engineered lumber products that can save you time and money on every job. Builder's Guide to New Materials and Techniques gives you the inside story on today's wide selection of lighter, cleaner, cheaper, stronger and straighter wood products--as well as the know-how to apply them in all types of residential and light construction work. You'll see how to work with the full range of new materials: industrial, architectural and premium grade glulams--oriented strand board--laminated strand and veneer lumber--machine stress rated, parallel strand and sturcutral glued lumber--aluminum and fiber cement shingles--fiber-reinforced gypsum underlayment--polymer composite trim--vinyl fencing, siding and moldings--wood-polymer lumber--you name it. Plus, you also get hands on help with: selecting and specifying the right engineered lumber; calculating live-load deflection; sizing I-joists for floor and roof framing; installing wall framing systems; erecting open web and spacemaker trusses; choosing and installing hangers, connectors and fasteners; applying the right caulks, adhesives, sealers and finishes; and much, much more.