"fingerjointed" 2x4 studs

Fingerjointed studs, rafters and joists are perfectly fine and just like any other type of engineered lumber are designed to be as good if not better than their dimensional lumber counterparts.

k2:

I had the same reservations you did about finger jointed studs over the past year or so and was corrected on a similar issue by another poster here at BobVila with a better knowledge of engineering than I.

While I had presumed that finger jointed studs where to be used for non-bearing walls alone, the state-of-the-art in finger jointed products has apparantly progressed to the point that even joists and rafters properly engineered can do the same or equal job as dimensional or engineered lumber.

Never any shame in adding something new to our collective knowledge.

I am glad I was corrected and learned a thing or two also.

I'll see if I can dig up the old thread for posterity sake..

Best regards,

joe

There's fingerjointed lumber, and then there's fingerjointed lumber.

The material used in each is generally the same. What makes the difference is the glue used. The industry has standard markings (stamping) on the product that should clearly identify the piese as either appropriate for vertical loading only (stamped for 'stud'), or vertical and rafter (so marked...'stud & rafter').

To my knowledge, there is no fingerjointed material that is accepted or approved for joists, nor is will you find a marking or stamp to that effect.

You need to check the markings as stated. I did not realize they made finger jointed structural lumber. I have seen finger jointed 2x4 marked as not for use as load bearing.

Thanks for the replies, folks. The studs are marked for vertical use only. The builder is using regular studs on all the inside door and window openings. He likes the finngerjointed studs because they are straighter. Gregory.