|
 |
Southern Pine lumber has been popular since Colonial times for a wide variety of applications. Favorable growing conditions, wise forest management, and efficient manufacturing ensure a continuous supply of high-quality Southern Pine products for future generations.
Southern Pine consists of four main species — shortleaf, longleaf, loblolly, and slash — and is the preferred choice for today's structural building components. Here are a few of the inherent advantages of Southern Pine:
Cost Savings
Wood products are still the most cost-effective building material on the market today. Southern Pine is competitively priced because of abundant timber supply, manufacturing expertise, and established market preference. Component manufacturers that choose strong Southern Pine as
the preferred raw material for trusses can reduce the amount of lumber and plates used in each truss. As a result, using Southern Pine can translate into significant cost savings. For example, in a direct comparison between lumber species, Southern Pine roof and floor trusses saved 18% for the Victory Lakes townhomes in Virginia.
Superior Strength And Stiffness
Southern Pine is the strongest softwood structural lumber species, as published in the National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction.
Design values for Southern Pine are the highest of all wood species used by component manufacturers (See Figures 1 and 2). Using Southern Pine can result in:
- Longer spans
- Smaller sizes (2x4 vs. 2x6)
- Lower grades (No.2 vs. No.1)
- Less truss depth needed for the same performance (14" vs. 16" floor truss)
Southern Pine's high strength provides the greatest design flexibility. The following are key strength properties by product line:
- Higher tension for floor trusses
- Higher tension and bending for roof trusses
- Higher compression and bending for wall panels
Southern Pine's high stiffness provides improved deflection for:
- Floor trusses at shallower depths, as well as better vibration performance
- Roof trusses which make ceilings flatter and more uniform in appearance
- Wall panels which resist higher wind loads
Highest Density
Southern Pine also has the highest density of all structural lumber species, providing superior fastener-holding power and load-bearing capacity (See Figure 3). Using Southern Pine can result in:
- Smaller metal connector plates
- Fewer fasteners needed to transfer the same load
- Stronger top and bottom plates
- Less damage during handling, transportation, and at the job site
Southern Pine's high density provides greater design efficiency and load transfer capacity for:
- Truss and bearing connections
- Permanent bracing system connections
- Roof and floor diaphragms
Best Treatability
Southern Pine has long been the preferred species for pressure treatment because of its unique cellular structure that permits deep, uniform penetration of preservatives. Some 85% of all pressure-treated wood produced in the U.S. is Southern Pine. Using treated Southern Pine can result in:
- Additional opportunities for structural components where treated lumber is required
- Protection against decay and termites
Natural Beauty
Southern Pine offers a distinct grain pattern and an appealing golden color. Because of this natural beauty, exposed Southern Pine trusses provide architectural appeal.
Widespread Availability
Southern Pine is an abundant and renewable resource, growing in a vast band across the Southern United States from East Texas to Virginia. Nearly 400 manufacturers produce Southern Pine lumber, making it readily available in growing
housing markets. Southern Pine lumber production has steadily increased from 12.9 billion board feet in
1990 to 18.1 billion board feet in 2004 (See Figure 4).
Dimensional Stability
Southern Pine dimension lumber 2" and less in thickness must be dried to a maximum moisture content of 19%. This minimizes shrinkage associated with green lumber and provides long-term stability.
Proven Quality
Southern Pine lumber is graded in accordance with the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber, approved by the American Lumber Standard Committee. Southern Pine Council members produce Southern Pine lumber to the highest-quality SPIB standards.
All of these Southern Pine advantages contribute to the fact that Southern Pine is the preferred species for structural building components (See Figure 5). Southern Pine adds to the safe, economic, and structurally sound use of wood trusses and wall panels, providing real cost savings for component manufacturers. Choosing domestic Southern Pine — a product
grown in the U.S. — is not only a good environmental choice but also an opportunity to support local economies.
|
|
Previous
