TOPIC: This Is A Great Idea!

At a pre-drywall inspection I noticed a header over a window.  It was a product I had never seen this before.  It is a Canadian product, similar to what we call here a Microlaminated beam or a Paralaminated beam.  They call it a Timberstrand.  It is basically composed of wood chips and such, compressed tightly together with great heat, glue and weight.  The final product (unless it gets real hot which weakens the glue) is very strong.

It is easy to use.  It can be cut and fitted into place, nailed to and counted on.

But it can be easily compromised.

Sometimes carpenters drill holes too close to the edges or the ends.

Plumbers are famous for cutting out whole sections or drilling large holes through beams to run their materials.

Electricians are the same way.

This product is unique in that the manufacturer has lines which tell everyone where holes can be drilled.

Look closely and there is a stamp which also says where NOT to drill holes.  Under "Round Hole Zone" it says not to drill within 8" of the ends.

What a simple and fabulous idea!

Hard to make a mistake with that product.

My recommendation:  When you are in a house during a pre-drywall inspection, look around and you may just see a few new products and techniques you have never seen before.

They are great especially for large spans.  A parallam is not the same as a microlam and the beam in the picture is neither.  It is a Timber strand.  (They are trade names, made by TrusJoist)
A  Parallam has parallel long thin strands of lumber glued together.  A Microlam has layers of veneer glued together and a Timberstrand has shorter strands of lumber glued together in a more or less random pattern.  (Gotta like that; random pattern.) 

Change made, Bert, in honor of the Canadian!

You make a good point Joe.  I'm not defending Jay, he is capable to do that himself but from his point of view (a home inspector's point of view) it must seem like a lot of the trades are butchers.  I am a carpenter but I have seen a lot of carpentry butcher work. 
One thing I really like about this forum is that there is so little of this "other-bashing" happening.  On a few of the other home inspector sites I check out, there is a lot of this.  The construction trades are generalized as not knowing what they're doing.  This may be a reason that home inspectors are at times generalized as a bunch of self proclaimed know-it-alls. 

.... in honor of the Canadian!

Thank you. 
I learn from what you write so I figured I may be able to return the favour.  The opportunity may not present itself very often. 

Thanx Bert, it just hit a nerve on how easy it is to judge others. I was venting. Should have just blown it off.