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Trusted by the Industry for Over 90 Years

APA – The Engineered Wood Association is a nonprofit trade association advancing innovation, quality, and technical excellence in engineered wood standards and solutions.

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The Industry’s Engineered Wood Technical Expert

From research and testing to certification and technical support, APA – The Engineered Wood Association’s work drives the strength, reliability, and confident application of engineered wood across the industry.

What We Do

160+ Member Mill Locations Across North America Producing APA-Certified Engineered Wood Products

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42,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art lab space dedicated to research and testing.

How We Test Products

165+ official evaluation reports for products and manufacturers.

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90 years advancing the engineered wood industry through standards, technical support and education.

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Driven by Research. Proven by Testing.

APA’s Lab & Research Center

At APA’s 42,000-sq-ft Research Center in Tacoma, WA, an expert team of Ph.Ds, engineers, and wood scientists test thousands of engineered wood products for strength, durability, and real-world performance, building trust and confidence in their applications.

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Top Questions from the Field

What happens if engineered wood products get wet on the job site?

If you're wondering what happens when engineered wood products get wet on the job site, the short answer is that wood construction is durable and will normally be structurally sound after severe exposure to moisture. Structural plywood and OSB used in floors, walls and roofs are made with water-resistant adhesive and retain their strength following wetting events. Although the surface of the panels may be rough from water exposure, they generally remain structurally sound. However, panels saturated with water will feel less stiff than those in a dry condition. Until the panels dry, they should not be subjected to heavy loading, such as repeated heavy foot traffic or loaded drywall carts.

In cases of severe or unusually prolonged exposure, it may be necessary to retain the services of a qualified construction expert for panel evaluation.

For more information about engineered wood products that get wet on the job site, refer to APA’s FAQs: Questions About Wood Structural Panel Exposure to Excessive Moisture, Form X501.

Where can I find APA-certified plywood, OSB, or other engineered wood products near me?

If you're looking for APA-certified plywood, OSB or other engineered wood products near you, the APA Manufacturer Directory is the best place to start.

Visit the APA Manufacturer Directory to search for specific APA-trademarked engineered wood products produced by APA members across North America by country, state or province.

How do I use APA’s Wall Bracing Calculator to determine bracing requirements for my project?

If you're using APA’s Wall Bracing Calculator to determine bracing requirements for your project, follow the basic steps below to create your wall lines and bracing segments.

To use the Wal Bracing Calculator:

• Click the input wall line information button

• Advanced to the wall line details and wall line segment details page of the calculator

• Create braced wall lines and bracing segments

Please note that APA’s Wall Bracing Calculator is intended for use by experienced designers that are familiar with wall bracing. Refer to the Wall Bracing Calculator Quick Start Guide, Form Q230, for basic instructions on using the calculator.

Where can I access current APA Product Reports?

You can download APA Product Reports® for free on the Product Report section of the Technical Document Library on APA’s website.

APA Product Reports help building officials and design professionals determine a product's conformance with codes and national, international or industry-recognized standards. APA issues these reports to document the compliance of an engineered wood product that is manufactured under a quality program audited by APA. APA Product Reports signify the product's compliance with the relevant provisions in the model building codes.

Looking for APA Product Reports for use in Canada? These reports are denoted with a "C" at the end of the form number.

Where can I access national standards?

If you're looking for national standards for engineered wood products, APA publishes and maintains numerous standards covering manufacturing, testing, product performance and quality assurance. Learn more about APA’s involvement with standards publishing here or explore specific standards below.

Voluntary Product Standard PS 1-22, Structural Plywood, Form L870

Voluntary Product Standard PS 1-22 is the national standard for producing, marketing and specifying plywood for construction and industrial uses.

Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-18, Performance Standard for Wood Structural Panels, Form S350

Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-18 provides information on performance requirements, adhesive bond performance, panel construction and workmanship, dimensions and tolerances, marking, and moisture content of structural-use panels.

Performance Standards and Qualification Policy for Wood Structural Panels, Form E445

APA PRP-108 describes requirements and test methods for APA Performance Rated Panels.

ANSI/APA PRP 210-2024: Standard for Performance-Rated Engineered Wood Siding, ANSI/APA PRP 210-2024

This American National Standard provides requirements and test methods for qualification and quality assurance for performance-rated engineered wood siding, a veneer-based, structural-use product.

APA PRI-400 Performance Standard for Residential I-Joists, PRI-400

APA PRI-400 contains performance criteria, qualification requirements and quality assurance information for APA Performance Rated I-Joists used in residential floors.

APA PRI-400 Performance Standard for Residential I-Joists, Limit States Design for Canada, PRI-400 CA

APA PRI-400 CA contains performance criteria, qualification requirements and quality assurance information for APA Performance-Rated residential I-joists, limit states design, in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada.

APA PRI-405 Performance Standard for Commercial I-Joists, PRI-405

This standard provides requirements and design properties for APA Performance-Rated I-joists in sizes that are commonly used in nonresidential floor and roof construction.

ANSI/APA PRS 610.1: Standard for Performance-Rated Structural Insulated Panels in Wall Applications, PRS 610.1-2023

This Standard covers the manufacturing, qualification, quality assurance, design and installation requirements for performance-rated structural insulated panels (SIPs) used in wall applications.

ANSI/APA PRG 320-2025 Standard for Performance-Rated Cross-Laminated Timber, ANSI/APA PRG 320-2025

This Standard provides requirements and test methods for qualification and quality assurance for performance-rated CLT, which is manufactured from solid-sawn lumber or structural composite lumber.

ANSI / APA PRR 410-2021: Standard for Performance-Rated Engineered Wood Rim Boards, PRR 410

This Standard provides requirements and test methods for qualification and quality assurance for performance-rated engineered wood rim boards.

ANSI 117-2025: Standard Specification for Structural Glued Laminated Timber of Softwood Species, ANSI 117-2025

The Standard contains general information on structural glued laminated timber members that may be useful to the manufacturer and designer.

ANSI A190.1-2022 Product Standard for Structural Glued Laminated Timber, ANSI A190.1

This Standard contains requirements for the manufacture and quality control of structural glued laminated timber.

ANSI 405-2023: Standard for Adhesives for Use in Structural Glued Laminated Timber, ANSI 405-2023

This Standard provides minimum requirements to evaluate adhesives for use in structural glued laminated timber.

Do APA-certified engineered wood products meet formaldehyde emission regulations and energy code requirements?

Yes, CARB regulations, H.U.D., and TSCA all explicitly exempt structural plywood specified to PS 1, structural panels specified to PS 2, OSB specified to PS 2, structural composite lumber specified to ASTM D5456, structural glued laminated timber specified to ANSI A190, and prefabricated wood I-joists specified to ASTM D5055. These exemptions apply to products trademarked or audited by APA under the APA quality assurance program, regardless of whether the product is used in a construction or industrial (manufacturing) application. Note that although CLT is not listed as an exempted product, CLT certified to ANSI/APA PRG 320 is made with moisture-resistant adhesives and has a low formaldehyde emission.

Find additional guidance in APA's publication Formaldehyde and Engineered Wood Products, Form J330, which addresses concerns related to engineered wood products and explains why they have such low emission levels that they are exempt from the leading formaldehyde emission standards and regulations.

Energy efficiency policies and building energy codes continue to evolve rapidly at the federal, state, and local levels, directly impacting residential and commercial construction practices. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) serves as the foundation for many state and local energy codes and influences construction practices, including wall assemblies, insulation requirements, air sealing, continuous insulation, and overall building envelope performance. APA supports practical, cost-effective energy solutions that maintain design flexibility, affordability, constructability, and durability for builders and designers. Engineered wood products play a critical role in high-performance wall, floor, and roof systems by supporting durable assemblies, advanced framing techniques, and efficient insulation strategies. Learn more about engineered wood’s important role in Energy Efficiency and how APA advocates on behalf of building professionals for flexible compliance approaches that allow builders to meet energy goals using a variety of compliant and proven engineered wood assemblies.

How do I know if my product meets the building codes in my local jurisdiction?

While each Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may have slightly different procedures and documentation requirements for approving the use of building products and materials in the permit package, manufacturers are generally expected to provide evidence demonstrating compliance with the locally adopted building code. Most, but not all, U.S. jurisdictions adopt versions of the International Code Council's (ICC) model codes, often with local amendments. For example, the International Building Code (IBC) relies on mechanisms such as approved agencies, product listings, labeling, research reports, evaluation reports, and certificates of compliance to help building officials determine whether products and materials satisfy applicable code requirements.

Products trademarked with the APA stamp are independently tested and evaluated by accredited laboratories, inspection and certification bodies to ensure impartiality, technical competence, and compliance with recognized industry standards. The results are documented in detailed evaluation reports prepared by qualified technical experts, who assess whether the product meets the applicable code requirements or provides an equivalent level of safety, quality, and performance for its intended use.

APA – The Engineered Wood Association is an internationally recognized, ISO-accredited testing, inspection, and certification agency. APA Product Reports® are developed through rigorous technical evaluation and independent testing in accordance with applicable building codes and industry standards and meet the requirements of IRC Section R104.2.2.6.1 and IBC Section 104. As a trusted resource for building officials, design professionals, and code authorities, APA Product Reports® provide objective evidence that a product complies with applicable code requirements and is appropriate for its intended use.

Learn more about APA’s Product Evaluation Services or browse the full collection of over 160 APA Product Reports, all free to download.

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