Why I Chose To Frame This Custom House Entirely With LVL Studs - Supplied by Kuiken Brothers in NJ & NY

Steve Balassone, owner of Balassone Builders, a high-end custom home builder in northern New Jersey discusses why he likes using Boise Cascade Engineered VersaLam LVL studs for this custom home under construction. He originally started using the LVL studs in kitchens and bathroom to ensure a nice straight wall for the cabinets and tiles, but since this home had such monolithic windows and no trim to hide the imperfections, he proposed using VersaLam LVL studs throughout. Watch the video to learn a few more reasons why Steve chose to take this project to another level with Boise Cascade VersaLam LVL studs.

While VersaLam LVL studs do cost more than standard dimensional lumber, you’ll make it up in fewer framing hours with flat, plumb walls that finish faster. Plus, it offers 2 times more bending strength than Douglas Fir studs with none of the checks, cracks and warps that can plague dimension lumber.

Boise Cascade VERSALAM LVL Engineered Studs (laminated veneer lumber) are strong and straight as an arrow, which is an extremely important characteristic when framing:

  • Tall Walls
  • Kitchen Cabinet Walls
  • Curved Walls
  • Window or Entrance Door Walls
  • Stairwells
  • Long Hallways
  • Tiled Walls

Two-story entry foyers create a grand appearance to your guests, but can create a grand headache for the installer of this custom mahogany entry door and transom. Engineered studs will not warp, twist or cup over time, ensuring that this entry will operate smoothly and efficiently, reducing call-backs.

While we don’t anticipate installers to build an entire home out of Boise Cascade VERSASTUD LVL studs (although as you can see in this video, it certainly makes sense), it should be considered for certain areas of the home, otherwise known as “zone framing”. Ensuring that you are setting up your finish carpenter and tile installer with a square and level ceilings from the beginning will save significant amount of time for intricate coffered ceilings such as the one below.

The addition of Boise Cascade VERSA-STUD engineered studs to Kuiken Brothers’ stock inventory rounds out our premium offering of lumber products to ensure that our customer’s homes are framed the right way from the beginning. Premium Douglas Fir dimensional lumber, Boise Cascade Engineered I-joists and VERSALAM and VERSA-STUD LVL products make up the complete package.

If you are interested in using Boise Cascade VERA-STUD engineered studs in an upcoming project, please feel free to give us a call at (201) 652-1000 or fill out the Contact Us Form and one of our sales representatives will follow up with you right away. Be sure to add “Boise Cascade Engineered Studs” in the comments/questions box. We look forward to working with you on your next project.


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