Cutting and notching of engineered wood products is permitted when recommended by whom?

The cutting and notching of engineered wood products is permitted when recommended by the manufacturer because they are the most knowledgeable about the specific materials and their structural integrity. Manufacturers provide guidelines and specifications based on extensive testing and analysis of their products. These recommendations ensure that any modifications made to the wood products will not compromise their strength and performance characteristics.

In this context, it’s essential to understand that engineered wood products are carefully designed for specific loads and conditions. Alterations such as cutting and notching can affect their load-bearing capacity and overall durability. The proprietary information from manufacturers includes limitations and allowances for modifications, which are based on their engineering principles and tested performance.

While local building inspectors, industry standards committees, and architects may have expertise in building codes and design principles, they do not have the same level of detailed understanding of the materials themselves as the manufacturers do. Therefore, relying on manufacturer guidelines is crucial to ensure compliance with safety and performance expectations when modifying engineered wood products.