iLevel’s ‘Edge Gold’ engineered wood panels are complete with patterns on the face of the boards at 16-, 19-, 2- and 24-inch centers. Each has a symbol and a different shape with no measuring required for easy installation.
iLevel, a division of Weyerhaeuser that combines building products, distribution and technical support, recently introduced several new or enhanced products including, Framer Series Lumber, TJI Joists and iLevel Edge Gold floor panels.
A product that is the result of 10 years of testing, a patented computerized grading system plays an integral part of the company’s new ‘Framer Series Lumber.’ In an interview, Marketing Manager, Greg Wells said, “Our Framer Series is a new and unique product. We electronically scan each board and choose for the Framer Series those that don’t warp, twist or bow, they’re very consistent.” Wells also said of the new product, “It also has a mark on the board with arrows pointing in the direction of the crown. We’re trying to make it easier for the framers, so they can grab the board, look for the arrow and line it up across walls, ceilings or floor joists. This maintains consistency and it’s simple and efficient.”
Overseeing brand marketing of iLevel’s structural frame products, Wells said that each board is distinctively branded. He said the goal was to enhance the brand to build awareness and consistency in the product.
The iLevel wood floor panels include Edge and Edge Gold panels. “The Edge is a very good quality product with a 25-year warranty,” Wells commented. Edge gold panels are enhanced panels that come with a 90-day no sand guarantee and a 50-year warranty.” Wells said that the company would begin shipping them with a pre-printed fastening template. “Again, in an effort to make it easier for the framer to use, there are patterns on the face of the boards at 16-, 19-, 20- and 24-inch centers. Each one has a symbol and a different shape with no measuring required so the framer can simply line up with those symbols and nail the panels down to the floor,” he explained.
Software offered by iLevel is specifically designed for dealers to work with their builders to optimize the frame of a house. This is an image from the companies Javelin sofware of a 3-D model that allows movement of the house up to 360 degrees. This software will update the lengths and connections of all members resulting from any change and revise the material list.
Wells commented that being an integrated, state-of-the-art business helps iLevel to remain competitive in the tough markets today. “What sets us apart is the complete integration of our products along with our people. From the lumber and engineered wood products to our software and tech services, we have consistent reliability and a breadth of products that our competition doesn’t necessarily match up to. We have people available, we focus on returning service calls within 24 hours and we have a quality product with the services to back it up,” he said.
The software offered by iLevel is specifically designed for dealers to work with their builders to optimize the frame of a house. “It’s very state-of-the-art,” Wells said. It’s a 3-D model in which you can spin the house 360 degrees and see where the entire individual framing members and connectors are.
According to Wells, the software was created with the intention of helping the builder save money by being able to optimize the use of materials and make changes before construction begins. “For example, in Javelin you could change a drop beam up into the floor and the software will update the lengths and connections of all members resulting from that change, and revise the material list,” he said.
iLevel also offers Pro Ratings, an evaluation tool that allows the user to rate the overall quality of a floor. “This software package allows the dealer to work with the builder to target the specified floor to meet the quality of the homebuyer that the house is going to. It’s on a scale where if the home is more of an entry level home you can maximize the use of the product for flooring. If it’s a $90,000 house, the expectations are different for floor performance than say a $1 million home. With this
This is a photo of iLevel by Weyerhaeuser’s ‘Framer Series’. Each board is scanned and qualifying consistent boards are chosen that eliminate warping, twisting or bowing.
software they can work together to widen the joist spacing and change the depth and thickness of the floor panels to increase the performance of the floor while potentially lowering the cost,” Wells explained.
iLevel has distribution centers throughout the United States.
For more information about iLevel by Weyerhaeuser, visit www.ilevel.com or call 888-453-8358.
