Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find decking design values?
The National Design Specification® (NDS®) Supplement tables list design values for 2x and larger decking.
The American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) provides a Policy for Evaluation of Recommended Spans for Span Rated Decking Products. Here's more information on their website:http://www.alsc.org/untreated_spanrated_mod.htm
You will need to contact the specific grading agencies to obtain their span ratings for various species. A list of those agencies is on the ALSC website as well.
Lateral design values for lumber diaphragms and shear walls are available in Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic.
Also see the Span Tables FAQ for span information on decking.
Also see Tongue and Groove Roof Decking - WCD #2.
Also see Plank-And-Beam Framing for Residential Buildings - WCD #4.
Wood Products
- What is the difference between SPF and SPF south? DF-L and DF-L(N)? HF and HF(N)?
- Where can I find information for nominal 1", 1-1/4", and 1-1/2" stress-rated boards?
- Where can I find design values for cypress for structural use?
- Where do I find decking design values?
- Where can I find design values for lumber?
- Can finger jointed lumber (also known as end-jointed and edge-glued) be substituted for sawn lumber?
- Where can I find information on Lumber Grade Rules and Grade Stamps?
- Where can I find information about structural lumber grades vs. appearance characteristics?
- Where can I find design values, span tables, allowable load tables, and other information for structural softwood and hardwood lumber?
- What is the difference between plastic lumber and wood-plastic composites?
- What is the difference between southern pine and southern pine-misiones Argentina?
- Where can I find design values for tropical hardwoods, imported species, and other species not found in the NDS Supplement?
- Where can I find information on tongue and groove roof decking?
- How are the floor joist span tables calculated and used?
- Where can I get span tables and span table information for lumber?
Where can I get decking span tables?
Engineered Wood Products
- Where can I find information on fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) wood composites?
- Where can I find design values, span tables, allowable load tables and other information for structural glued-laminated timber?
- Where can I find information on glulam adhesive manufacturers?
- What are I-joists and where can I find them?
- Where can I find information on structural composite lumber (SCL)?
Panel Products