"The Quiet Giant"

ond-growth trees, while larger timber will become scarce, and therefore, very expensive," says Nicholas R. Kent, executive v.p., North American Wholesale Lumber Association.

Quality, large-size lumber will not be as readily available as it has been in the past. In spite of this, new homes and commercial building blueprints are calling for large, open multilevel structures. This requires lumber that has greater load-carrying capacity, he added.

Another reason engineered wood products will grow is the savings that are realized during installation because less time is spent handling the material on the job site. In addition, lineal price often remains the same whether a 6-ft. or 60-ft. length is required.

The educational process is the key to using engineered wood products. Even if the architect is knowledgeable and the retailer provides the availability, "the inspector has to know the products' capabilities, or he'll red tag it," says Steve Snavely, president, Snavely F'orest Products, a NAWLA member, which distributes laminated beams, laminatedveneer lumber and wood l-beams to retail lumber yards and independent supply centers.

"Our company sponsors more than 100 seminars a year," Snavely said. "But once the architect and specifier get a sense of the capabilities and consistencies of engineered wood products, availability will be critical. "

"Lumber wholesalers will be there for the retailers before and after it becomes obvious that engineered wood products are no longer specialty items," Kent adds. "Our members distribute more than lumber and engineered wood products. They are equipped with new product knowledge that independent supply centers and retail lumber vards can use today."

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