Dimensional lumber is cut directly from logs and carries the natural variability of wood (knots, grain direction shifts, inconsistent moisture content). Engineered wood products (EWP) are manufactured by bonding wood fibres, strands, or veneers together under heat and pressure to create a material with predictable, consistent structural properties. 

The practical result: EWP members are straighter, stronger over longer spans, and more dimensionally stable after installation. They cost more per piece but typically reduce waste, labour, and callbacks enough to offset the premium on most projects.

In most structural framing applications, yes, but the answer depends on the product and the comparison. LVL carries a higher allowable bending stress than comparable dimensional lumber of the same species and grade.

I-joists outperform dimensional joists of the same depth on deflection and long spans. The bigger advantage isn't raw strength, it's consistency. A dimensional 2×10 might perform as expected, or it might have a knot cluster that reduces its capacity significantly. An engineered product performs to its rated value on every piece.

When properly installed and kept dry, EWP lasts as long as the building. There's no inherent degradation over time for interior structural applications. The adhesives used in modern EWP (phenol-formaldehyde and similar resins) are extremely durable and don't break down under normal service conditions.

The key qualifier is moisture. EWP that is repeatedly wetted and dried can delaminate over time. For dry service conditions, like interior framing, longevity is not a concern.

This is one of the most important questions on any EWP job and the answer is: it depends entirely on the product and where you're cutting.

• LVL and LSL beams can generally be cut to length on site, but Turkstra can cut your beams and joists to length before shipping to save our customers on labour time and boost productivity. Ripping them (reducing their depth) is not permitted without an engineer's sign-off. 
• I-joists can be cut to length at the end. Notching or cutting holes in the web is only permitted within the zones defined in the manufacturer's installation guide (typically near mid-span, never at the flanges, and never within the bearing zone).

Always consult the manufacturer's installation guide before cutting, notching, or drilling any EWP member. Improper cuts void the product's structural warranty and can create serious liability.

Short-term exposure during construction is generally acceptable. A few days of rain won't ruin an I-joist package. However, EWP is more sensitive to prolonged or repeated wetting than dimensional lumber, particularly I-joists where the OSB web can swell, delaminate, or lose stiffness if saturated.

• Don't store EWP directly on wet ground. Use dunnage to keep it off the slab.
• Cover packages with tarps or poly when rain is expected.
• If a member has been visibly saturated, allow it to dry fully and inspect for delamination before installation.
  

Standard EWP is engineered for dry service conditions: interior framing where equilibrium moisture content stays below 19%. It is not suitable for exposed exterior applications, decking, or anywhere subject to ongoing moisture exposure.

EWP requires specific hardware. Standard joist hangers designed for dimensional lumber may not be rated for the flange width and depth of engineered I-joists. Using the wrong hanger can result in a connection that doesn't meet the load transfer requirements of the design.

Turkstra is partnered with Simpson Strong-Tie who manufactures EWP-specific hardware. When ordering your EWP package from Turkstra, ask for a hardware list matched to your specific products (this eliminates guesswork on site and ensures every connection is code-compliant).

Never use pneumatic framing nails through the OSB web of an I-joist. Drive nails into the flanges only, per the manufacturer's nailing schedule.

Unprotected EWP has similar fire performance to dimensional lumber. It will char and eventually lose structural capacity when exposed to fire. However, EWP is not inherently fire-rated in its standard form. 

Fire-resistance ratings are achieved through the complete assembly: the EWP member plus its protective treatment (typically drywall encapsulation). For most residential and light commercial applications, a standard 12.7mm (½") Type X drywall ceiling provides the required fire protection for I-joist floor systems.

For projects requiring specific fire-resistance ratings, reference the assembly designs in the National Building Code of Canada or the manufacturer's fire-tested assembly documentation. This is particularly important for multi-unit residential and mixed-use projects.

For most residential applications, manufacturer span tables combined with a knowledgeable supplier design team can handle specification without an independent structural engineer.

An engineer of record should be involved when:

• Spans or loads fall outside standard residential parameters.
• The building is commercial, multi-unit residential, or institutional.
• There are point loads, concentrated loads, or transfer conditions above the floor system.
• The local building department requires engineered drawings for permit.

Turkstra's design team can review your drawings and tell you when independent engineering review is warranted before you're committed to a design direction.

EWP should be specified by product type, manufacturer series, depth, and flange width (for I-joists) or width × depth (for LVL/LSL beams). A proper callout looks like:

• I-joist: 11-7/8" I-joist @ 400mm o/c (or reference a specific product: e.g., AJS 140 11-7/8")
• LVL beam: 3-ply 1.75" × 9.25" LVL, E=1.9E
• LSL rim board: 1.5" × 11-7/8" LSL Rim Board 

Avoid generic callouts like "engineered beam" without specifying dimensions and product type. Doing so creates ambiguity during permit review and procurement. When working with Turkstra's design team, they'll generate a full member schedule you can incorporate directly into your drawing set.

Contact Turkstra with your architectural or framing drawings. Our design team will review the layout, optimize the package for your floor plan, and return a full quote including member schedule, cut lengths, and labelling if required.

The more complete your drawings, the faster the turnaround. A full set of architectural plans with floor framing noted allows the team to produce a detailed package in one pass. Sketch-level drawings can work for preliminary pricing but will need a follow-up once design is finalized.

Lead times vary by product, order size, and time of year — spring and early summer are the busiest periods. As a general rule, plan for:

• Standard in-stock product (common I-joist depths, LVL widths): 1–3 business days 
• Cut-to-length packages: typically 5–7 business days from drawing sign-off
• Large or complex packages: allow 2 weeks from drawing submission to delivery 

The single biggest source of delay is late or incomplete drawings. Submitting your framing plans early, even before your permit is issued, allows the design team to begin the package and compress your schedule once your permit comes through.

Yes! This is one of Turkstra's core advantages for EWP. Their in-house design team can take your architectural drawings and produce a complete framing solution: member sizing, span verification, a cut list, and a labelled delivery package. You're not just buying lumber; you're getting a framing plan optimized for your specific project.

This service is particularly valuable on complex floor plans, multi-unit projects, or any job where framing efficiency directly affects the schedule. There's no obligation to proceed with supply after receiving a design, but most contractors find the integrated service saves enough time to make it the obvious choice.