APA Blog for Professional Associates - Floors

I-Joist Construction Details - Performance Rated I-Joists in Floor and Roof Framing

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:13:00 -0700

APA has updated the I-Joist Construction Details - Performance Rated I-Joists in Floor and Roof Framing. This installation guide provides updated information on recommended construction details for Performance Rated I-joists in floor and roof applications. The publication also includes recommendations for cantilevers and placement of web holes. The 55-page interactive PDF contains links to exploded views of various construction details.

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Technical Note: APA Performance Rated Panel Subfloors under Hardwood Flooring

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:33:00 -0700

APA recently released a new Technical Note that provides specification and installation recommendations for panel subfloors to be used under hardwood flooring.

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Glulam Design Specification & Layup Publications Updated

Thu, 29 May 2008 08:36:00 -0700

APA has updated two publications pertaining to glued laminated timber (glulam) design specifications and layup combinations.

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New Publication Covers Temporary Construction Loads Over I-joist Roofs and Floors

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:17:00 -0700

APA recently released a new Technical Note entitled, Technical Note: Temporary Construction Loads Over I-joist Roofs and Floors, Form J735. This new technical note provides recommendations for proper placement of heavy loads in a partially completed light-framed structure to prevent damage to the structure and/or injury to the work crew.

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2008 APA Publications Index Now Available

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:15:00 -0700

The APA Publications Index, Form B300 NN, has been updated. The revised 2008 index provides a complete listing of APA design and construction guides, product guides, builder tips, case histories, industrial publications and other materials available from the Association.

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Help Desk Question: What is the difference between four-ply and five-ply panels?

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:46:00 -0700

Question: Plans call for five- ply plywood roof sheathing but the lumber yard sent out four-ply. They say they won’t have five-ply in stock until next month. What is the difference between the panels?

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Get the Details on SIPs

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:52:00 -0700

New structural insulated panel (SIP) CAD details are now being offered at www.apacad.org. [More]

New Engineered Wood Construction Guide

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:05:00 -0700

APA just issued the 2007 Engineered Wood Construction Guide, the major reference manual for using engineered wood products in residential and commercial construction.

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Help Desk Question: Panel Edge Support - What Role Does Tongue-and-Groove Play?

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:15:00 -0700

Question: What purpose does tongue-and-groove (T&G) serve on a roof deck or balcony with inhabited space below? What are the advantages of using T&G in an exterior deck application if, for example, the deck is a subfloor to an exterior balcony with waterproofing and 2-inch topping slab over inhabited space, or a low slope roof deck?

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Glulam Beam Design Tables Updated

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:52:00 -0700

Glued laminated beams (glulam) are used in a wide range of applications in both commercial and residential construction. [More]

Proper Orientation of Plywood Underlayment in Floor Systems

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:25:00 -0700

I recently received an email questioning the correct orientation of plywood for maximum floor strength and stiffness when not using plywood with tongue-and-groove (T&G) edges. This question was specifically inquiring about the correct orientation of APA Underlayment plywood when used to support ceramic tile flooring systems.

All APA trademarked plywood, and most APA trademarked OSB, is stiffer and stronger when the long axis (8-foot dimension) is oriented perpendicular to the supports.

If the panels don't have T&G edges (8-foot-long sides), there are a few options:

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Help Desk Question: Smoke Passage through T&G Plywood Floor

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:02:00 -0700

Question: I am working on a single floor retail building with storage in the basement, which has a sprinkler system. We have specified 3/4-inch Sturd-I-Floor tongue-and-groove (T&G) plywood as floor sheathing. The building official/fire marshal has commented that no evidence has been presented on smoke passage through the T&G joints. Is there some sort of documentation that discusses this?

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Help Desk Question: Deflection of Subfloor Sheathing for Ceramic Tile Floor Assemblies

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:09:00 -0700

Question: I am curious about deflection of single layer oriented strand board (OSB) panels between structural framing members. The tile industry indicates that we need to meet at least L/360 deflection criteria for a successful crack-free floor installation. With the advent of 19.2 oc and 24 oc designs, we are seeing that many engineered wood I-joist systems are capable of L480 deflection or better. With this we are receiving requests to install over single layer OSB. What is the deflection capability of OSB for the 19.2 and 24 oc applications? [More]

Help Desk Question: What are the Risks Involved with Mixing Solid Sawn Lumber and Engineered Wood?

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 11:37:00 -0700

Every application where solid sawn lumber is used in conjunction with engineered wood must be looked at very carefully with respect to the material’s moisture content at the time of construction. The safest alternative is to not mix engineered wood with solid sawn lumber in any situation where load sharing might be an issue. [More]

Specifying Preservative-Treated Glulam

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 13:40:00 -0700

Question: What is required in specifying preservative-treated glulam beams?

Answer: While glulam does not require preservative treatment in most cases, in certain conditions, for example, where the glulam may be subject to high humidity or moisture content, preservative-treated glulam is required.

To determine the correct preservative treatment of glulam for a specific use, below is a simple list of steps to follow. [More]