Plywood Box Beoms Winning Approvol of Architects As Rugged, Economicql fttoteriol in lllodern Building

Plywood box beams are currently winning wide approval from architects and builders as a rugged, economical material especially adaptable to modern structures. Notable new buildings which use plywood box beams as an integral part of the construction include the Detroit Country School and Grace Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan; the Wedgwood "Home of Tommorrow" in Portland, Oregon, and several new homes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, designed by Architect Tasso Katselas.

A non-corrosive, lightweight, structural component, the beams are simply fabricated and comparatively inexpensive. yet have a durable strength approaching that of steel.

Box beams have been used in spans up to 90 feet, and successful designs have been fabricated in lengths of 120 feet. Curved or cambered shapes are available, permitting complete freedom of design. Left exposed in exterior or interior construction, the beams lend clean, functional lines.

Use of shop-fabricated box beams-openly displayed to heighten the atmosphere of spaciousnss5-is one of the outstanding features of the attractive Wedgwood "Home of Tomorrow" built recently in Portland, Oregon. Dwight E. Haugen, President of Wedgwood Homes, Inc., aptly describes the showcase house as "a home for the family with $50,000 tastes and a $35,000 budget."

Primary advantage of the 40-foot box tured by Diamond Lumber Company llomes are that they are easy to erect, labor costs. Among other advantages, the have a stronger stress value than standard a smoothly textured, clear surface.

beams manufacfor Wedgwood thus saving on structural units beams, and have

Because the box beams are often left exposed, Diamond Lumber Company has found CreZon overlaid plywood to be the ideal material for their fabrication. CreZon, trade name for a phenolic resin material produced by Crown Zellerbach Corporation, is heat-sealed to plywood to create a permanently inseparable surface.

The material produces a highly smooth surface that resists checking, cracking, buckling, warping and grain rise. In addition, it is easy to work with and takes paint easily.

Only three sides of the box beam require CreZon, since the unexposed surface does not need the strength and finish obtainable with the overlay.

The materials used in Wedgwood Homes call for extensive use of this durable product. Below is a material list of construction for Wedgwood Homes:

BOX BEAMS

2 Only 46' 3%" * 4%" * 15l3/Ig'

4 Only 31' l/s" * 4t/r" * 1513/16"

2 Only 14' x 4%" x 1513/16"

Flanges: 4 x4 or 2 x 4laminated selected structural.

Webs: f" CreZon 1 side exterior plywood. Bottoms finish 5/16" CreZon 1 side exterior plywood.

The lower flange is shortened to permit the insertion ol 4x4 posts between the webs.

ROOF PLATES

6 Only 4' x 15' gsA" Insulated

12 Only 4' x 3l' l%" 6 only'insulated

6 Only 4' x 15' I3/+" Not insulated

4 Only 4' x 22' 6" Insulated

2 Only 4 x 29 4%" Insulated

Longitudinal Frame Members : 2x6, Select Structural, Beveled.

Traverse Separators :

Exterior Skin :

Interior Skin :

2x2 #2 & BTR on 2' centers.

%" CC Exterior Plywood.

5/16" CreZon 1 Side, Exterior Ply.

Insulation : Conventional 7/2" blanket type, installed before gluing.

For further information on CreZon, write : Crown Zellerbach Corporation, Advertising and Sales Promotion Division, P. O. Box 3475, San Francisco 19, California.

Shop-fobricoted box beoms ore exceptionolly eqsy lo hondle (uPPer, lefi), to siore (lower, left) snd to ereci ot the building site (uPPer, right). When left exposed, the CreZon overloid beoms provide o smoolh, eosy-to-point surfoce thot resists worping, buckling, crocking ond groin-rise. Only ihe exposed sides of the beoms require fhe tough, phenolic resin

This Wedgwood "Home of Tomorrow" (right) illustrotes the cleonlined functionol beouty of exposed plywood box beoms. In spite of t$eir low cosl, lhe beoms hove sirength comporoble to riel in oddition to duroble, weolher resistont surfoces