LP Building Products Launches new LP^® SolidGuard LSL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 10, 2013) – LP Building Products has announced the launch of its new LP® SolidGuard LSL, adding protection against termite damage and fungal decay to its LSL product. As the industry embraces wood framing in taller multifamily structures, this new product provides a treated sill plate solution to help eliminate shrinkage.

“Shrinkage is an important concern for lumber in multistory structures as it can affect shear wall performance and structural capability. Using LSL for wall plates and sill plates as a part of a wood framing system can significantly reduce plate shrinkage,” said Kim Rogers, EWP product manager for LP Building Products. “The new LP SolidGuard LSL provides our customers with a full wall plate solution for taller wood-framed buildings.”

In typical dried lumber, moisture content may be up to 19 percent. Over time, the lumber will dry down to the moisture equilibrium of the finished building—typically 8 to 12 percent—causing the wood to shrink and potentially resulting in misaligned framing, broken window seals, and damaged plumbing.

Using LSL wall plates and sill plates can help eliminate plate shrinkage. “The moisture levels of our product are carefully controlled throughout the manufacturing process, giving all LP SolidGuard and SolidStart LSL products a 7 to 10 percent moisture content, similar to the moisture equilibrium inside the building, meaning that there's no moisture level to which our product has to dry down.”

LP SolidGuard LSL is treated with zinc borate for fungal decay and termite resistance. LP SolidGuard LSL framing materials are intended for use in aboveground protected applications such as sill plates, columns, rim board and studs. The product is not intended for ground contact or continuous exposure to weather, nor can it be substituted for treated studs in a permanent wood foundation. The zinc borate is blended into the LSL, eliminating the need for field treatment of cut ends. The product requires no special handling or disposal as borate is a naturally derived mineral that is odorless and colorless in wood.

LP SolidGuard LSL is available in longer lengths than traditional lumber, and its manufacturing process provides a uniform cure and even density gradient across the thickness of the product, adding to its strength and making it more resistant to warping, shrinking and twisting.

Visit WhatIsLSL.com to learn more about LP® SolidStart® products and to download an infographic on the benefits of LSL in tall, wood-framed structures.

About LP Building Solutions - As a leader in high-performance building solutions, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP Building Solutions, NYSE: LPX) manufactures engineered wood building products that meet the demands of builders worldwide. Its extensive offerings include innovative and dependable building products and accessories, such as LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding, LP Structural Solutions portfolio (LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier, LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring, LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier, LP® FlameBlock® Fire-Rated Sheathing and more), oriented strand board (OSB), LP® TopNotch® Sub-Flooring, LP® Outdoor Building Solutions®, and LP Elements® Performance Fencing. In addition to product solutions, LP provides industry-leading service and warranties. Since its founding in 1972, LP has been Building a Better World™ by helping customers construct beautiful, durable homes. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, LP operates 26 plants across the U.S., Canada, Chile and Brazil. For more information, visit LPCorp.com.