A Resource Guide To Working With, Designing, Engineering, Building, and Constructing with Timber Wood Products

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Heavy Timber & Wood Product Resources

Welcome to our Wood Products and Heavy Timber informational resources. Here, US Timber will provide comprehensive guides to the most common construction methods using wood, and specifically constructing with heavy timbers: Timber Frame, Post-and-Beam, and Mortise-and-Tenon Construction methods.

Structural frames, elements and accents with Heavy Timber provide excellent fire resistance as recognized by building codes and fire insurance rating schedules. Heavy Timber construction is commonly used for homes, entryways, carports, pavilions, and pergolas, and is also used for commercial work with schools, churches, event pavilions, event barns, and auditoriums.

The informational resources below will help provide you with technical specifications and guidelines for Heavy Timber construction, including information on structural design, fire resistance, and recommended construction details. Additionally, you will find information on Timber Frame construction, including its history, benefits, and how to properly design and construct a building using this method.

We hope that this guide be a valuable resource for architects, builders, contractors, and anyone interested in learning more about the benefits and techniques of wood construction methods. When constructing with Heavy Timbers, remember US Timber is your source for consistent quality woods and timbers with available inventory ready to deliver to your next project. 

Heavy Timber, Roofing, Decks & more...

General Construction Techniques

Heavy Timber Construction

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the American Wood Council (AWC) jointly publish a document called Heavy Timber Construction. This document outlines the minimum standards and requirements for this type of construction method including detailed illustrations of proper building techniques and details.

Published by the AWC and AF&PA. (24 pages)

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Tongue & Groove Roof Decking

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the American Wood Council (AWC) jointly publish a document called Tongue & Groove Roof Decking. This document outlines the minimum standards and requirements for this type of roofing construction, including standard materials, specifications, building techniques and details.

Published by the AWC and AF&PA. (17 pages)

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Framing Basics

Intended to help builders avoid common framing errors that not only cause problems with building inspectors, but may create other difficulties within the structure. These recommendations have been developed through years of work by WWPA with framers, contractors and building code officials.

Published by Western Wood Products Association (WWPA) - 6 pages

Note: a signup/account (free and fast process) is required to download and view WWPA documents.

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Guide

This guide to building wooden decks includes requirements and limitations, framing plans, connection techniques, and detailed instructions on footings, rails, stairs and more.

Published by American Wood Council (AWC) - 44 pages

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Resources & Informational Guides

Working With Wood Products

Measurements, Moisture and more...

Lumber Data & Specifications

Notching & Boring Guide

Description and diagrams of code-approved notches and holes in load-bearing members to accommodate modifications for wiring, plumbing.

Published by Western Wood Products Association (WWPA) - 2 pages

Note: a signup/account (free and fast process) is required to download and view WWPA documents.

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Unseasoned (GRN) Framing Lumber

A guide to moisture content and seasoning in unseasoned—or green—dimensional lumber and heavy timber.

Published by Western Wood Products Association (WWPA) - 4 pages

Note: a signup/account (free and fast process) is required to download and view WWPA documents.

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Board Footage Table

Conversions from lineal feet to board feet in standard sizes of western lumber.

Published by Western Wood Products Association (WWPA) - 2 pages

Note: a signup/account (free and fast process) is required to download and view WWPA documents.

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Nails, Screws and more...

Connection Guides

Lag Screw Connections

Calculations and design considerations when using lag screw connections.

Published by the AWC and AF&PA. (14 pages)

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Toenail Connections

Design values and reference tables for using toenail connections.

Published by the AWC and AF&PA. (4 pages)

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers

Post Frame Ring Shank Nails

Reference tables with design values for using post frame ring shank nail connections.

Published by the AWC and AF&PA. (6 pages)

Resources Quick Links

Construction

General Construction Techniques

Lumber Data & Specifications

Connection Guides

Engineering

Properties

Performance

Douglas Fir

Western Red Cedar

Eastern White Pine

Specialty Timbers