1. home and garden
2. home improvement and repair
3. plumbing

Why Build with WIDE OPEN™ WOOD I BEAM™
Joists Instead of Manufactured Floor Trusses?
Higher
Quality
Superior
Performance
Lower
Costs
WIDE OPEN™ WOOD I BEAM™ Joists:
Choose Quality Without Compromise
Georgia-Pacific WIDE OPEN™ WOOD I BEAM™ joists provide a better framing
solution for both multi-unit and single-family construction projects than
manufactured floor trusses. Using WIDE OPEN™ I-joists saves you time
and money by reducing material costs, labor costs and project delays.
Most importantly, WIDE OPEN™ I-joists deliver superior performance,
leading to greater homeowner satisfaction and fewer callbacks.
WIDE OPEN™ I-joist flanges are Machine Stress Rated (MSR), which means
that each flange is evaluated to verify its strength and stiffness. The majority
of floor trusses do not use MSR lumber. Where confidence in engineering
design values is important, WIDE OPEN™ I-joists are the right choice.
Superior Performance
Greater strength and stability.
WIDE OPEN™ I-joists are designed to a higher
performance standard than most conventional
floor trusses, which helps reduce homeowner
callbacks and costly repairs. WIDE OPEN™
I-joists provide greater stability with 33% more
stiffness than most building codes require.
Most trusses are designed to meet building
code requirements of L/360 live load deflection,
while WIDE OPEN™ I-joists are engineered to
L/480 live load deflection. In some
manufactured floor trusses, the top chord is supported at intervals as much as
30 inches. The top flange of a WIDE OPEN™ I-joist is fully supported along
its entire length by the web, providing a more solid feel to the floor.
More flexibility. WIDE OPEN™ I-joists are available in six standard lengths
which feature three large pre-cut holes that facilitate installation of plumbing,
HVAC, electrical and other materials that pass through the joists. Or, for even
greater flexibility, WIDE OPEN™ I-joists can be ordered custom fabricated to
fit your exact needs. With FASTBeam® sizing software, it's easy to select the
WIDE OPEN™ I-joists that are right for your project, then determine the
exact size and location of each opening. The specified openings, which may
be round, obround, or full-depth rectangular up to 20 inches wide, are
engineered into the floor system with FASTBeam® and precision cut by direct
©2005 Georgia-Pacific Corporation.
interface of the software with FASTFab™ hole cutting machinery in the
fabrication facility. Joist lengths can be precision trimmed based on
your framing layout for an exact fit.
Lower Total Costs
Reduced materials costs. Pre-made
with pre-cut holes and readily available in
six lengths, WIDE OPEN™ I-joists are
ready to deliver to your job site when you
need them. Most trusses are designed and
constructed specifically for each job, so
you run the risk of longer lead times.
In addition, WIDE OPEN™ I-joist pricing
has been less variable than truss pricing,
which tended to change weekly based on
fluctuations in lumber prices, so it has been easier to predict job costs
and budgets for multiple projects.
Labor, time and expense savings. WIDE OPEN™ I-joists help reduce
labor time and costs. They are lighter than comparable manufactured
trusses and easier to handle. Unlike alternative trusses,
WIDE OPEN™ I-joists have no top or
bottom, and this facilitates proper
installation.
“
WIDE OPEN™ I-joists because
they offer more design flexibility;
they provide my customers with a
superior performing floor system
that is easy to handle and install.”
Frank Harrington
Principal
Harrington and Stiles Designs
Knoxville, TN
“
Georgia-Pacific WIDE OPEN™
I-joists arrive on time, on
schedule, so I never have to wait
for product. And they're easy to
install.”
™
On the job site, WIDE OPEN I-joists are
field trimmable. Other floor trusses are not;
you must re-order your product if variances
occur. This process can result in project
delays and product waste.
I spec Georgia-Pacific
Tom Aspey
General Manager
Brand Vaughan Lumber
Tucker, GA
“
More Advantages
Add up the advantages, and you'll see why Georgia-Pacific
WIDE OPEN™ I-joists are the right choice over manufactured trusses.
Superior performance and lower installed costs, backed by a Lifetime
Limited Warranty* helps you build a structure with fewer callbacks and
more satisfied customers.
Quality is everything—that's
why I use Georgia-Pacific
WIDE OPEN™ I-joists. I can
consistently provide superior
performing floors on all of my
projects.”
Allen Proctor
Project Manager
Bill Gardiner Home, Inc.
New Canaan, CT
Why Build with WIDE OPEN™ WOOD I BEAM™ Joists Instead of Manufactured Floor Trusses?
Higher
Quality
©2005 Georgia-Pacific Corporation.
Superior
Performance
Lower
Costs
* See actual warranty for terms, conditions and limitations.
Better Performance
Features
Benefits
One piece member
• Reduces potential for on-site material repair
• Fewer squeaks because all joints are glued
L/480 live load deflection
• 33% stiffer than systems designed at L/360
• More stable floors with minimal bounce and deflection
Strict manufacturing
specifications
• Consistent quality
• Smooth, level floors
Efficient use of wood fiber
• Environmentally friendly
• Consistent supply of finished products
Lower Total Installation Costs
Features
Benefits
Pre-made item
• In-stock at local lumberyards and available from
BlueLinx Distribution Centers
Field Trimmable
• Joists can be trimmed on-site so they
perfectly fit the building plan
• Possible to order from the factory at specified length
Lightweight
• Quick installation
• Easy to handle
No top or bottom
• Facilitates proper installation
Uses rim board for closure
• Facilitates solid deck attachment
Better price predictability
• Allows forecasting of long-term projects
• Allows consistent pricing across multiple projects
Pre-cut holes
• Allows installation of plumbing, HVAC, electrical
and other materials through the joists
• Pre-manufactured
©2005 Georgia-Pacific Corporation.
Time & Cost Savings
• Minimizes jobsite repair of broken components
• Reduces customer callbacks
• Enhances customer satisfaction with the finished product,
reducing callbacks and requests for post-construction repair
• Enhances customer satisfaction
• Reduces callbacks
• Steady supply of materials to job site
• Satisfaction of environmentally conscientious homeowners
Time & Cost Savings
• Reduces project delays caused by long lead times
• Material doesn't have to be stockpiled on the jobsite, exposed to elements
• Reduces need to reorder pieces if they don't fit the plan
• Reduces labor costs
• Expedites framing process
• Eliminates the need to reinstall upside down material
• Reduces material sorting and organization prior to construction
• Reduces callbacks due to unstable floors caused by inconsistent installation
• No additional labor and material needed for deck attachment
• Pricing does not change as often as commodity lumber prices change
• No need to shop around for best pricing
• Quick, efficient installation of electrical and mechanical components
• Reduces subcontractor labor costs
• No special engineering analysis needed when installed per
Georgia-Pacific's instructions
©2005 Georgia-Pacific Corporation.
Georgia-Pacific WIDE OPEN™
WOOD I BEAM™ joists will help
keep your project on schedule
and on budget through savings
in time and cost.
WIDE OPEN™ WOOD I BEAM™ Joists:
The Right Framework for Today’s Homes
Making the decision to choose Georgia-Pacific WIDE OPEN™
WOOD I BEAM™ joists over manufactured floor trusses is simple
when you consider the performance and cost advantages.
You gain the strength and high performance you expect from
WIDE OPEN™ I-joists with lower installed costs. WIDE OPEN™
I-joists stand the test of time, helping you build homes with strong,
stable floor systems, keeping callbacks to a minimum and
maximizing homeowner satisfaction. In addition, more predictable
material costs and reduced labor expense can help you lower
overall construction costs. That's why WIDE OPEN™ I-joists are
the dependable choice for building your business and enhancing a
reputation for quality.
For more information about the advantages of building
with WIDE OPEN™ I-joists, call 1-888-502-BLUE or visit
www.bluelinxco.com.
Custom configurations available by special order
• Other series, depths, lengths and hole configurations
• Engineered with FASTBeam®/FASTPlan® software and cut using FASTFab™ equipment
16" Deep WI60 WIDE OPEN™ WOOD I BEAM™ Joists
• Two 113/4" pre-cut round holes & one 113/4" x 16" obround hole, six standard lengths
• 2x3 MSR flanges and FiberStrong® OSB web allows spans from 12' – 23'-81/2"
In addition, a 11⁄2” hole may be placed in the web of
the joist between either end of joist and nearest hole.
0‘
4‘-21⁄2”
7‘-5”
10‘-71⁄2”
Cut to length from this end only.
12‘-5”
14‘
16‘
18‘
20‘
22‘
24‘
14’
16’
18’
0‘
7‘-3”
10‘-51⁄2”
13‘-8”
20’
22’
24’
Except for cutting to length in allowable trim area, top and bottom flanges of the joists should not be cut or drilled.
Request literature item #123013 and #123040 for complete information.
BlueLinx Corporation
4300 Wildwood Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339
1-800-502-BLUE www.bluelinxco.com
WOOD I BEAM, WIDE OPEN and FASTFAB are trademarks and the WOOD I BEAM logo, FASTBEAM, FASTPLAN and FIBERSTRONG are registered trademarks of Georgia-Pacific Corporation.
BLUELINX and the BLUELINX DESIGN are trademarks of BlueLinx Corporation.
©2005 Georgia-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
8/05
Lit. Item #142110.