Applications

Structural Components

Southern Pine is the preferred choice for today's structural building components. Here are some of the inherent advantages of Southern Pine.

Cost Savings

• Wood products are still the most cost-effective building material on the market today. Southern Pine is competitively priced because of abundant timber supply, manufacturing expertise, and established market preference.

Dependable Strength and Stiffness

• Southern Pine is the most tested wood species in the U.S. Design values for Southern Pine are comparable to other species used by component manufacturers.

Highest Density

• Southern Pine has the highest density of all structural lumber species, providing superior fastener-holding power and load-bearing capacity. Using Southern Pine can result in:
  • Smaller metal connector plates
  • Fewer fasteners needed to transfer the same load
  • Stronger top and bottom plates
  • Less damage during handling, transportation, and at the job site

Best Treatability

• Southern Pine has long been the preferred species for pressure treatment because of its unique cellular structure that permits deep, uniform penetration of preservatives. Some 85% of all pressure-treated wood produced in the U.S. is Southern Pine. Using treated Southern Pine can result in:
  • Additional opportunities for structural components where treated lumber is required
  • Protection against decay and termites

Natural Beauty

• Southern Pine offers a distinct grain pattern and an appealing golden color. Because of this natural beauty, exposed Southern Pine trusses provide architectural appeal.

Grading Methods

• Two different grading methods are used to sort Southern Pine dimension lumber and assign appropriate design values: visually graded lumber and mechanically graded lumber.

  Design values for visually graded lumber are based on In-Grade testing of full-size pieces of lumber. Southern Pine is the only visually graded softwood species that has been regularly monitored. The Southern Pine Inspection Bureau has conducted an annual In-Grade Resource Monitoring Program since 1994. Visually graded lumber can adequately meet the structural requirements for many typical component applications. For better appearance, specify a higher grade of visually graded lumber, or mechanically graded lumber.

  Mechanically graded lumber includes both Machine Stress Rated (MSR) lumber and Machine Evaluated Lumber (MEL). Each piece of mechanically graded lumber is nondestructively tested, sorted into various strength classifications, and must meet certain visual requirements before design values can be assigned. Due to the precise grading process, MSR and MEL provide advantages in more demanding engineered applications, such as longer-span trusses. Most Southern Pine manufacturers of mechanically graded lumber already put more restrictive limits on wane than the No.2 visual grade limits required by the SPIB Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber. However, one option to guarantee better appearance is to specify that the wane limits meet a No.1 visual grade. Look for the 1W added to the grade mark.

Widespread Availability

Southern Pine is an abundant and renewable resource, growing in a vast band across the Southern United States from East Texas to Virginia. Nearly 400 manufacturers produce Southern Pine lumber, making it readily available in growing housing markets.

Dimensional Stability

Southern Pine dimension lumber 2" and less in thickness must be dried to a maximum moisture content of 19%. This minimizes shrinkage associated with green lumber and provides long-term stability.

Proven Quality

Southern Pine lumber is graded in accordance with the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber, approved by the American Lumber Standard Committee. Southern Pine Council members produce Southern Pine lumber to the highest-quality SPIB standards.

Lumber Usage by species

All of these Southern Pine advantages contribute to the fact that Southern Pine is the preferred species for structural building components. Southern Pine adds to the safe, economic, and structurally sound use of wood trusses and wall panels, providing real cost savings for component manufacturers. Choosing domestic Southern Pine — a product grown in the U.S. — is not only a good environmental choice but also an opportunity to support local economies.