Trus Joist is changing tree species from Douglas fir to hemlock for LVL flanges used in its I-joist products, according to industry newsletter Random Lengths.
The company, part of forestry giant Weyerhaeuser, says the shift to using 0.15in hemlock veneer is designed to align production with its large tracts of hemlock timber in the western US and British Columbia.
It started production of hemlock LVL flanges in December and is reportedly receiving good feedback from customers.
The move has been interpreted by some industry observers as a cost-cutting measure in the face of competition from solid sawn timber and engineered joists with solid flanges, as well as a response to higher OSB and veneer costs.
