For more information,
contact:Greg Wells
(208) 364-1428
Every year, news stories tell of the destruction of homes and loss of life from earthquakes and hurricanes. Other homes are severely damaged by high winds - even far away from coastal areas. The quality of structural framing materials plays a major role in how well homes stand up to such natural disasters. Builders, designers and specifiers looking for consistent and predictable performance under lateral loads, and to meet code requirements, are increasingly turning to prefabricated shear wall panels for their design needs. Many are choosing the iLevel™ Trus Joist® TJ®-Shear Panel. (www.iLevel.com)In addition to resisting lateral loads from earthquakes and hurricanes, the TJ-Shear Panel offers specifiers and designers design flexibility for walls with many windows and portals - a benefit for regions where seismic activity and high winds may not be a concern.
Traditionally, shear walls were built on site, with a high degree of variability and unpredictable performance. They were time consuming to build and often resulted in wasted materials. The TJ-Shear Panel provides consistent and predictable panel performance under lateral loads. With their one-piece, modular construction, one person can easily install the panels. In addition, because they are made from iLevel™ Trus Joist® TimberStrand® laminated strand lumber (LSL), TJ-Shear Panels are exceptionally strong and resist bowing, shrinking and twisting.
TJ-Shear Panels mount to the foundation slab or stemwall with only two nuts and two washers, making installation quick and easy. Lag screw holes for connection to the framing top plate are pre-drilled at an angle for easy access. The TJ-Shear Panel is also pre-drilled for electrical wires helping builders save time and eliminating guesswork.
The superior structural performance and predictability of TJ-Shear Panels are a result of symmetrical panel design, concentric hold-downs and double-shear nail connections. TJ-Shear Panels provide the added strength necessary for framing areas of the home susceptible to high lateral loads. Such areas include large openings for garage doors, and walls with numerous window and door openings.
To help meet growing demand for TJ-Shear Panels, especially in the California and Western U.S. markets, iLevel is constructing a new manufacturing facility in Chino, California. The facility is scheduled to start limited production of the panels in December 2006 and reach planned capacity during first quarter 2007. The new facility demonstrates iLevel's commitment and longevity in the braced wall market. Its location will also allow better access for customers to tour the facility and learn more about the design and use of TJ-Shear Panels.
TJ-Shear Panels come in a variety of widths and heights and are one part of a complete and integrated package of framing materials - from foundation to rooftop. Other trusted products and brands from iLevel include Trus Joist Parallam® parallel strand lumber (PSL), Trus Joist TimberStrand laminated strand lumber (LSL), TJI® joists, Structurwood Edge® and Structurwood Edge Gold® floor panels, and Weyerhaeuser Premium Joists™. To learn more about the complete iLevel line of residential framing products, design software tools, technical support, and extensive distribution network throughout North America, visit www.iLevel.com or call 1-888-iLevel8 (1-888-453-8358) to locate a dealer near you.
About iLevel by Weyerhaeuser
iLevel is Weyerhaeuser's integrated residential framing business resulting in a seamless, unified solution for residential builders through dealers - offering a coordinated network of support for all structural framing materials. By combining Weyerhaeuser's high-quality products and services from well-known brands like Trus Joist and Structurwood, with its distribution and technology capabilities, iLevel efficiently supplies customers with all the necessary components for building the residential structural frame, and solving builder and customer needs around that frame.
About Weyerhaeuser
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest integrated forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2005, sales were $22.6 billion. It has offices or operations in 18 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction, development and related activities. Additional information about Weyerhaeuser's businesses, products and practices is available at http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/.
