New regional show rises in the west

0N HAND at the first Hardware, Housewares and Home lmprovement Trade Show March 26-27 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Ca.: (1) John Cavers, Andrea

Genovese. (2) Earl & susie Nelson. (3) John regional home improvement show featured Phillips, L9_q p-ag|rs. (4) Brian Snyder, Glen 10i exhibitors, with 80 more at the adjacent Gevaart. (5) Keith Cromwell, Ray Wallenthin. Tile West'97. (6) Patti Stasiak, Liz Cappellania. The westem

Performance-Rated l-Joists On The Way

It's about to get much easier to use and specify wood I-joists.

In July, APA-The Engineered Wood Association will introduce a performance-based standard for Ijoists that hopefully will eliminate much of the confusion often associated with using the product.

Currently, builders and specifiers must sort through a maze of manuals and manufacturer specs to select the right product for the right application. Once approved, the standard-known as APA EWS PRI 400-will allow builders to easily select and use Ijoists from various manufacturers with one set of load/span tables, installation instructions and standard engineering values.

"The performance standard was developed for one reason," explains Tom Williamson, executive vice president of APA's Engineered Wood Systems, "to simplify the use and specification of wood I-joists and, in return, make them a more economical floor joist alternative."

I-joist depths, load/span tables, installation details and hole charts will be universal and standard among APA EWS member manufacturers.

The standard was developed after more than 90Vo of homebuilders surveyed by APA called for a performance standard that makes I-joists easier to use and drives the unnecessary costs out of the system.

As glued engineered wood products, APA EWS I-joists rePortedlY will offer greater dimensional stability, higher strength, increased structural reliability and a lower tendency to check or split like solid sawn lumber. In addition, a rigorous quality assurance program will ensure I-joist product performance.

Span ratings will be stamPed on the product making it easier for builders and remodelers to install them properly and more visible for code officials to inspect. And by standardizing flange widths within a grade designation, fewer auxiliary pieces are required because standard size hangers will be used.

APA expects wood I-joist use in residential construction to increase significantly as national forest harvest constraints continue to hamper the supply of wide dimension lumber, as builders and specifiers become more familiar with the product's performance advantages, and as more manufacturers join the APA EWS I-joist program.

Knoll Gives Away The House

Since 1987, Knoll Lumber & Hardware, Bothell, Wa., has coordinated more than 70 suppliers and the Pacific Northwest District Council of Carpenters to build a beautiful model home for the Seattle Home Show, then disassemble it and give it away.

The 1l model homes Knoll has built over the years now house Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire kids and needy families.

When the 1997 show at the Kingdome closes, Knoll's latest model will be disassembled and shipped to Camp Easter Seals.