APA Introduces New Construction Basics Online Resource Center

The construction industry is booming, demand for trained and skilled workers is soaring, and a career in the building industry offers a promising outlook and a good paycheck. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average employment growth in the industry, with continued expansion of construction-related jobs that will reach 7.5 million by 2026.

Seven of the 10 fastest growing industries are related to construction, according to Investopedia. These include residential and nonresidential building construction, structure and building exterior contractors and specialty trade contractors.

Whether you’re just starting out in pursuit of a promising career path in the construction industry, or you’re looking to expand your expertise, APA – The Engineered Wood Association’s Basics of Construction online resource center can provide supplemental educational support as you learn the basics of the trade and work your way through your career and technical education (CTE) training.

APA has long been a trusted source for building professionals to find comprehensive and technical guidance about engineered wood products and their applications in residential and commercial wood-frame construction.

APA’s brand-new online resource center offers free resources in multiple user-friendly formats to help those looking to obtain a certification or pass an assessment in construction or carpentry CTE curriculum.

Fueled by the Association’s extensive resources, the new online resource center provides the fundamentals and recommendations for wood-frame construction systems, including details for residential and nonresidential framing and guidance on constructing engineered wood building systems from the ground up, including floors, walls and roofs.

The resource center offers construction basics in six different categories that align with carpentry curriculum from many training centers, including the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER).

• Building Materials, Fasteners and Adhesives – Provides an overview of the various types of engineered wood products (plywood, oriented strand board [OSB], glued laminated timbers [glulam], I-joists and structural composite lumber [SCL]); the benefits, features and appropriate applications of engineered wood products; preventing mold and mildew growth; proper fastener selection and installation and more.

• Introduction to Construction Drawings, Specifications and Layout – Find information on CAD details for wood-frame construction and downloadable spec sheets that explain the information found in the APA trademark and provide sample specifications for multiple engineered wood products.

• Floor Systems – Learn best practices in designing engineered wood floor systems; proper techniques for notching and drilling I-joists and Rim Board®; the difference between single floor, subflooring and underlayment; proper framing techniques and what materials to use in floor construction; how to install subflooring; how to prevent common errors in floor installation and more.

• Wall Systems – Learn how to properly install wall sheathing, wall bracing basics, simple solutions to common building challenges, how to balance a building’s strength, energy efficiency and cost effectiveness in design, how to prevent moisture penetration and more.

• Ceiling Joist & Roof Framing – Find best practices for designing and detailing residential engineered wood roof systems, how to design moisture-resistant roofs, step-by-step instructions for roof sheathing installation, building techniques to ensure optimal performance of finished roof and more.

• Common Framing and Construction Practices – Find a comprehensive guide to engineered wood construction systems in residential and nonresidential construction, best practices for residential and nonresidential framing, how to avoid and resolve common framing challenges, how to navigate technical resources framers will encounter, how to ensure proper air sealing and more.

Resources include a mix of videos, publications and articles. On-demand video training conducted by APA engineered wood experts offers guidance in an engaging format that you can access anytime, anywhere. Free-to-download publications provide comprehensive information and visual examples in a format that can easily be referred to again and again. APA articles provide straightforward information is an easy-to-read format that you can bookmark and return to whenever needed.

All APA product and application recommendations combine the results of studies conducted at the Association’s research laboratory with extensive knowledge gained from decades of field work.

Well-trained builders and contractors are in high demand. Whether you’re just getting started in a new career in construction or you’re honing your skill set and expertise, APA’s resources will support you every step of the way. Discover the Basics of Construction online resource center at www.apawood.org/basics-of-construction.

APA – The Engineered Wood Association is a nonprofit trade association that works with its members to create structural wood products of exceptional strength, versatility and reliability. Combining the research efforts of scientists and engineers at APA’s 42,000 square-foot research center with the knowledge gained from decades of field work, and cooperation with our member manufacturers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry.