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Soft Structural Panels

Customer Service Tip

Contractors or homeowners sometimes describe wood structural panels as feeling soft or springy between supports. There are several reasons why this may occur.

This publication is designed for: builders, contractors, homeowners

This publication describes several reasons why people may experience springy or soft wood structural panels, including:

  • Exceeding span rating of panel

  • Installing panel with strength axis parallel to supports

  • Installing panel over a single span

  • Narrow width panels

  • Insufficient fasteners, especially at panel ends

It also includes troubleshooting tips to address this problem.

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.

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