The Sustainability Role of
OPEN JOIST

Limited Raw Materials: OPEN JOIST is comprised of only two raw materials: Spruce-Pine-Fir lumber and a PRF adhesive from Hexion Specialty Chemicals.

SPF lumber is sourced from forests in Canada managed for sustainability. Raw materials are harvested and converted by a number of Canadian mills, many of which adhere to Forestry Stewardship Council guidelines and requirements.

The Phenolic Resorcinol Formaldehyde adhesive used to assemble OPEN JOIST does not break down chemically or give off gasses over time. It also boasts a higher char temperature than wood, with the ability to maintain the structural integrity of OPEN JOIST trusses for a longer duration during a fire.

Waste Abatement: OPEN JOIST uses less wood fiber than solid dimension lumber joists and metal-plated floor trusses (20 to 25 percent less). Because of finger joint technology, OPEN JOIST can use short, secondary-demand lumber lengths to produce long product. And, because web dimensions do not need to match chord dimensions, wood fiber is used to maximum efficiency.

During the manufacturing process, longer raw materials with defects such as bowing or twisting are converted to shorter, straighter component pieces, saving them from the scrap pile. Key truss components are manufactured from off-fall resulting from the trimming operations of raw materials suppliers. Waste from cutting and milling is minimized and sawdust and chips are recycled into landscape products and livestock bedding.

OPEN JOIST is manufactured in one-foot incremental lengths so that trim waste at a job site is less than that of two-foot incremental products. And, OPEN JOIST is often manufactured to exact finished lengths, eliminating trim waste altogether.

Energy Conservation: The manufacture of OPEN JOIST consumes less energy than that required to manufacture other engineered joists. OPEN JOIST adhesive cures naturally without the need for infrared or other process curing and no steel connectors are employed, avoiding the energy use expended in the steel making process. Because of its open web configuration, wood fiber conservation and lack of steel connectors, OPEN JOIST is lightweight. Fuel usage is minimized when transporting the product.

Efficient Building: Building with OPEN JOIST floor framing can help avoid higher construction costs from extra deep foundation walls, extra labor and materials required for bulkheads. Mechanical systems can be inserted into the floor/ceiling envelope and OPEN JOIST’s open web configuration allows electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems to be installed easily and quickly. Reduced construction time reduces the risk of materials degradation at the jobsite, resulting in a better structure.

Longevity Assurance: OPEN JOIST trusses are individually proof tested to validate the product’s guarantee of performance for the lifetime of the building.

Green Building Credits: OPEN JOIST features and benefits make it possible for the product to qualify for credits under several practices of the National Green Building Standard (ICC 700-2012) and the Green Building Council’s LEED program.