Structural, Roofing and Exterior Products

Tritex 11¼-inch Xillix brand insulating concrete forms incorporate a 7½-inch core in a fully reversible form with no top or bottom or corners, making stacking, foundation, above-grade and interior walls easier to install. The ICF has clear tie and cut markings with vertical and horizontal tie-line indicators. Ties are positioned every six inches on center, and each section has three positions that allow builders to snap rebar into place.
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Georgia-Pacific's Wide Open Wood I-Beam joists, distributed by BlueLinx, meet L/360 live load deflection and feature three pre-cut holes for plumbing, electrical and HVAC installation. The I-Beam is available round or in rectangular openings and can be custom made for each builder's needs. The joists are machine-stress rated for strength and stiffness. Click here for more information. [2]

LP's OSB sheathing for roof, wall and two-layer floors recently added an ACI coating that penetrates to the edges to keep swelling down. Made from a renewable source, it exhibits none of the structural stress characteristics of veneer-based boards and features nailing lines and a skid-resistant surface that is easy to saw. It is available in standard 4-foot by 8-foot size. Sizes 4 feet by 9 feet and 4 feet by 10 feet and oversized panels are subject to availability. Click here for more information. [3]

Dietrich's UltraSteel framing is made with double-helix ribbing and a cold-roll forming process that maintains load-bearing capabilities while reducing the actual gauge of the metal. It features a strong or weak side gypsum board attachment and a sight line on flanges for joints and comes in 1 5/8-inch, 2½-inch, 3 5/8-inch, 4-inch and 6-inch sizes and in 25 and 20 EQ gauges. Click here for more information. [4]

Southwest Style

Eldorado Stone recently introduced the Capistrano line, traditional Southwest-style Adobe bricks. Made from earthen materials and water, the bricks measure 15 inches by 3½ inches and are 1¼ inches thick. The product can be applied over existing structures as a veneer. The Adobe bricks will initially be available in the Southwest with national distribution to follow. Eldorado features other stocks, including Roma, Via and Tundra brick. Accent pieces on all lines are available. Click here for more information. [5]

FrameMax steel framing system is a modular, lightweight panel line produced by a computerized, automated manufacturing process that features a snap locking system for quick assembly. Before the first girder is in place, the company processes a 3-D model for all walls, floor joists and roof trusses based on building codes and environmental conditions, to pre-cut, punch, notch and label each piece of framing for fabrication. Add-on products such as door headers and braces are also figured into the prefabrication procedures.
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Ainsworth's 0.8E Durastand OSL 1 ¼-inch Rimboard is engineered for flexible loads for short-span beams and headers. It can be used in place of LVL or LSL over window and door openings up to 9 feet and can handle vertical and lateral forces. It also provides a diaphragm attachment for sheathing and support and closures for joists and rafters. It meets ICC-ES building code standards and can also be used as part of an engineered floor system. Click here for more information. [7]

Universal Forest Products' Open Joist is an open web, all-wood floor truss that allows mechanical systems such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC to be installed within the floor frame. It has top and bottom flanges of 2 inches by 3 inches and 2 inches by 4 inches for wider fastening and nailing surfaces. The joists do not require accessory pieces such as web stiffeners, squash blocks or web fillers.
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Tie 'Em Down

Simpson Strong-Tie's LGT3-SDS2.5 is a heavy girder truss tie-down for 3-ply girder trusses that feature SDS screws for higher load capacity. A low-profile connection to studs ensures easy installation of drywall on the inside or outside of wall. It provides additional bearing support for heavy download applications and high uplift resistance for wood-frame and concrete-block construction. It can be installed on trusses and beams with top chord slopes from 3:12 to 8:12. The tie-downs come in 2-, 3- and 4-ply widths.
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