It should come as no surprise that the use of engineered lumber in building construction dates back thousands of years. Engineered lumber products are superior to conventional lumber in a number of areas. They’re more cost-effective. When used in floors, roofs, beams, headers and doors, they provide greater strength and stability over longer spans. Engineered lumber also resists shrinking, crowning, twisting and warping.

Properly manufactured engineered lumber products can accomplish virtually everything solid sawn materials can, but are stronger, have fewer defects and are easier to use.

3500 B.C.
Egyptians devise a method of gluing thin sheets of high quality sawn lumber over the top and bottom of lesser quality wood, giving the lumber a higher quality appearance.

1830s
The 2x4 is invented, changing the face of construction.

1868
A U.S. patent is issued for plywood, the first engineered wood.

1893
Glue-laminated timber first developed in Switzerland.

1934
Glulam first introduced in the United States.

1968
First use of engineered finger joints in North America.

1969
The modern wood I-joist market is born with the launch of wood I-beams in construction projects.

1970s
The first adhesives and resin systems used for structural engineered lumber products are phenolic resins. They are chosen because of their thermal stability.

1970s
Engineered lumber takes another step forward with the development of oriented strand board.

1977
The first laminated veneer lumber (LVL) begins to replace plywood webs and solid lumber flanges.

1980s
Engineered wood doors are introduced as an affordable alternative to solid core doors.

1990
Another breakthrough in I-joist technology as manufacturers switch from plywood to oriented strand board web material.

1990s
A “timber crisis” makes prices of engineered wood more stable than lumber; the industry begins to explore the idea of standardizing I-joist production.

1990s –
New types of adhesives are introduced to structural engineered lumber products including polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and polyurethane (PUR).

2006
The American Wood Council (AWC) initiates a research program to better understand the importance of adhesives used in end-jointed lumber in fire-rated assemblies. As part of the research, the wood products industry – including Hexion – conducts fire-resistance tests on finger-jointed wall assemblies using many different adhesives.

2007
Based on test findings, the AWC issues qualification criteria for finger-jointed lumber adhesives along with appropriate requirements for proper labeling for identification by building officials.