Jobsite Applications

TRIFORCE® makes your work on the jobsite easier. It offers many features that can help you get your jobs done quicker, reduce overall construction costs and make it easy for your framers to use. Learn all about the TRIFORCE® features and benefits in this section of the blog.

Using open web joists opens up new possibilities (part 2/2)

This is part 2 of a post about why you should use open web joists in your construction projects. See part 1 called Open web design is open to the future. Previously on this subject, I talked about how open web joists like TRIFORCE® eliminate the need to drill holes to pass ducts and plumbing. Without a … Continued

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Two ways to connect wood to steel: slope cut and top mount

Travelling to construction sites in the US and in Canada, I’ve noticed each country has a preferred wood-joist-to-steel connection method. These two methods are called slope cut and top mount. Wood to steel used more often In both Countries, I see steel being used more and more often in residential projects. House sizes have been … Continued

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Guess what? Open joist TRIFORCE® can be used as stair girders!

If I told you that open joist TRIFORCE® can be used for stair girders, the first thing you might think is “Ok, but why?” Keep with open design! In two words: open design. We’ve often said it in this blog: 0pen Joist TRIFORCE® has an open design that allows you to run Plumbing, Electricals and … Continued

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Some good reasons to use Triforce® for flat roofs

Lately, we’ve been working on quite a few flat roofs for multifamily projects. While most roof structures in this category of building are made from dimensional lumber, MDUs with flat roofs tend to be framed with either dimensional lumber or plated trusses. So, how did we convince the multifamily project designers to use Triforce® for … Continued

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Some recommendations for floor system installation

Building with engineered wood floor systems allows wider spans, greater strength, and far more design possibilities than traditional sawn lumber. Using engineered wood is somewhat more complex, though.  Here are some recommendations for engineered wood floor system installation. Use the manufacturer’s recommended hangers and fasteners Joist applications can vary, and there are hangers and fasteners for … Continued

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Open joist Triforce® isn’t just a joist, it’s a floor system

Install a series of joists, secure floor sheathing on top of them and you have a floor. But, for it to be an effective floor system, there’s more to it than that.  At TRIFORCE®, we aim to create floor systems that surpass industry standards, providing strength, durability, and comfort.  Here are the main elements in … Continued

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Logistical considerations for floor system design

When it comes to designing and installing a floor system, having strength as well as deflection and vibration performance at lowest possible cost is a natural objective. But there are also logistical considerations that come into play. Any one of these can impact your project either time-wise or cost-wise. Locations of Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC … Continued

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How to avoid notching floor joists

Manufacturers of engineered wood floor joists are unanimous on this point. Never, ever notch a floor joist or bore through the chords. Upper chord or lower chord, notching is prohibited because it could cause the joist to fail. Yet joist frequently get mistreated this way. Why? How can we avoid notching floor joists altogether? Planning … Continued

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When in doubt, check load calcs…and call the manufacturer

Sometimes hastily taken on-the-spot decisions can start nagging you immediately and not let go. This was the case for one builder on one of my recent calls. A duct chase In this project involving TRIFORCE® open joist, the builder removed a joist to accommodate a duct chase. In the above photo you can see chase’s … Continued

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Customer satisfaction strategies for floor assemblies in multifamily construction

You can go a long way in creating a quality living environment in multifamily units through careful attention to floor assemblies. Improved quality can also reflect positively on your reputation as a builder. In this post, I’ll talk about how to reduce floor vibration, one of the more frequent occupant complaints in multifamily construction. Reduced … Continued

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*Note/mention: The designer and/or general contractor of the project or building must ensure the accuracy of the technical information discussed in this blog over the years and always rely on the most up-to-date product’s requirements, specifications and installation guidelines available online on this website, and the applicable codes and standards.