Solid timber is “fighting back” against I-joists in the flooring sector, according to a Scottish timber company which has recently invested up to £2m in its operatons.
Glenalmond Timber said its investment in a finger-jointing plant was allowing its Ultrajoist product to match and even exceed I-joist performance characteristics in continuous spans, giving the construction industry a solid timber option for floor systems.
Glenalmond managing director Fraser Steele said finger-jointing had also opened up opportunities for Ultrajoist in rim beam applications, more commonly the domain of glulam and other engineered wood products.
He also said Ultrajoist had been graded to C30, with further testing to C40 also under way, made possible by the quality of wood fibre available from supplier Stora Enso.
“The I-joist manufacturers have had it all their own way in terms of marketing,” he said. People do not know they have another option.”
“The timber industry has just bent over and said ‘we’re stuffed’. But we are not, timber is fighting back. I think it’s important we raise the game of solid timber.”
Glenalmond’s first order for the finger-jointed Ultrajoist product was an 8.5m rim beam for Travis Perkins, Bishop Auckland, destined for Swift Timber Homes.
The company is speaking to timber frame manufacturers and national builders about the product, as well as I-joist manufacturers for rim beam applications.
Mr Steele said finger-jointing meant Glenalmond did not have to buy stock length, making operations much more flexible for itself and supplying mills.
