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f, PA-The Engineered Wood la.Association's new performance-based standard for Ijoists may promise to make engineered wood easier to buy, specify and use, but the cost, claim leading manufacturers, could be turning the profitable products into slim margin commodities.

"The APA is well intentioned. if misdirected," says Denny Huston, sales and marketing manager-laminated veneer lumber products at APA member Boise Cascade. "A standard like this lowers the quality of the product and creates confusion in the marketplace."

"The problem is that the APA is proposing that all manufacturers publish the exact same design values for I-joists," says Tom Denig, president and c.e.o. of Trus Joist MacMillan. "It doesn't address the real issue, which is proper installation." To deliver its intended, optimum performance for the builder and the homeowner, says Denig, an I-joist framing system needs to be designed and installed properly, which requires education and training, as well as local technical support.

The "I" shape of these products also requires framing details, like web stiffeners and squash blocks, that are different from traditional building practices. "Similarity in manufacturing specifications won't change that," says Bill Walters, engineered wood products manager for Weyerhaeuser.

In fact, a performance standard for these products established by all Ijoist manufacturers has been in place since 1989 (ASTM D5055 which acts to guide in the establishment of design values). In addition, some manufacturers guarantee their products will be free from manufacturing defects, in some cases for the life of the structure.