E
ngineered wood, also called
composite wood, manmade
wood, or manufactured board,
includes a range of derivative
wood products which are
manufactured by binding or
fixing the strands, particles,
fibres, or veneers or boards of
wood, together with adhesives,
or other methods of fixation
to form composite materials.
These products are engineered
to precise design specifications
which are tested to meet national
or
international
standards.
Engineered wood products are
used in a variety of applications,
from home construction to
commercial
buildings
to
7 . wood architecture
industrial products. The products
can be used for joists and beams
that replace steel in many building
projects.
Typically, engineered wood
products are made from the same
hardwoods and softwoods used
to manufacture lumber. Sawmill
scraps and other wood waste
can be used for engineered wood
composed of wood particles
or fibers, but whole logs are
usually used for veneers, such
as plywood, MDF or pa rticle
board. Some engineered wood
products, like oriented strand
board (OSB), can use trees from
the poplar family, a common but
non-structural species.