Timber I-joists by STEICO
STEICO’s timber i-joists can be used for roof, wall and floors to form the framework of a building. They’re a key structural element which span horizontally between a building’s foundations, walls or vertical structural beams. I-joists cross these open spaces and provide a building with the rigidity it needs to stay upright by transferring loads to the vertical sections.
Solid timber joists have been the traditional choice for many years, but modern timber I‑joists offer a far more efficient use of raw materials while delivering a more cost‑effective and higher‑performing product.
What makes STEICO timber i-joists a viable alternative to regular timber joists?
STEICO i-joists can be used in a multitude of load bearing applications. They compare with standard timber joists in a number of ways that make our product a suitable choice for specification in most types of build. These include:
- More efficient shape – The double-I shape maximises load bearing capacity while minimising material usage. Due to the use of high strength LVL for the flange material it is often possible to use shallower cross sections than solid timber for similar applications.
- Thermal bridging and insulation – The slender design also lowers the thermal bridging potential of our i-joists and allows for more insulation to be installed when compared to a wider timber joist.
- U-value – The STEICO i-joist can help achieve the required u-value for specific project needs
- Minimal shrinkage or twisting – STEICO i-joists are dimensionally stable thanks to the manufacturing process, making shrinkage or twisting virtually impossible. Traditional timber joists can contain up to 18% moisture, leaving plenty of room for shrinking and twisting post-installation. In contrast, moisture content in the LVL sections of STEICO i-joists is approximately 9% straight from production.
How are STEICO timber i-joists manufactured?
STEICO timber i-joists are a structural product comprised of two parts:
- Flanges – Located on the ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ of the i-joist, the flanges are made from STEICO laminated veneer lumber (LVL) which comprises 95% PEFC certified timber (PEFC/04-31-2550).
- Web – The web section which joins the flanges is made from STEICO Natural Fibre Boards, a material made up of 89% PEFC certified timber with a shear strength that is suitable for most projects.
The LVL flange sections are made by layering 3mm softwood sections and gluing them together. This makes them as homogenous as possible and limits natural weaknesses or faults in the wood to only one layer.
By mitigating weaknesses and layering strength into the manufacture of each i-joist, STEICO achieves a load bearing strength that is suitable for specification on most projects.
Rapid manufacture and installation with STEICO timber i-joists
STEICO wall, floor and roof i-joists can be used in many of the same areas that conventional wooden load bearing structures are used, and many elements can be built using automated off-site prefabrication methods to help you potentially speed up installation on site.
These systems can even have air-injected insulation such as STEICOzell or STEICOtimberfloc mechanically blown into compartments to form a compact insulation layer which is void free and resists settlement to ensure consistent performance across the panel.
By mitigating weaknesses and layering strength into the manufacture of each i-joist, STEICO achieves a load bearing strength that is suitable for specification on most projects.