New APA Blog Gives You the Straight Skinny

[hausdok]

By Mike O'Handley, Editor

Although we don't necessarily want TIJ's family members to go to other sites to get their information, we know that getting the correct information from home inspectors can sometimes be an exercise in trying to discern inspector fact from inspector folk lore.

When you need to know what's what with engineered lumber products - I-joists, glulam beams, engineered rim board materials, etc. - folk lore can get you in trouble, so it's better to go straight to the horse's mouth, so to speak.

That's why we're excited to tell you about the new APA-Engineered Wood Association's Blog. Sponsored by APA's Professional Associates Program, this is a free blog moderated by employees of the APA's help desk. Bottom line, it's going to be pretty hard to get more accurate or current information about engineered wood products from any other source. Check it out!

While you're visiting the APA's blog, you might consider signing up for the APA's Professional Associates Program. According to the APA site, "The Professional Associates is an APA technical program geared toward design and engineering professionals. It is intended as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas for architects, engineers, building officials, members of the academic/research community, and manufacturing experts involved with engineered wood products."

There aren't any annual dues to be an APA Professional Associate, but you are required to pay a one-time initiation fee of $25. For that, you receive a reference binder containing APA technical publications and research reports and are signed up for APA's periodic e-newsletter, The Engineered Wood Connection, which examines a broad range of current engineering/design topics. The newsletter also contains links to the latest literature updates, which can be downloaded as pdf files or ordered through the Association’s online publication store.

APA Professional Associates also have access to e-mail and fax information hotlines, where inquiries receive priority response from APA technical staff.

You can sign up directly on-line or for more information, contact the Program Coordinator or write directly to:

APA - The Engineered Wood Association

7011 So. 19th, Tacoma, WA 98466

PHONE: (253) 565-6600; FAX (253) 565-7265

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