North Carolina Clarifies Use of European Lumber in Building Codes

Thanks to the continuing shortage and price levels of some types of framing lumber, the North Carolina Department of Insurance hopes to clear up confusion over what other types of wood can be used under the state’s building codes.

“The result of the hard work of our partners and the department is that European species and other species not currently found in the N.C. Residential Code can now be safely used when following the guidance within the department’s code interpretations,” the department said in a bulletin.

Working with the American Lumber Standards Council and the American Wood Council, the department has provided new guidance about how and where European lumber can be used. “This guidance is provided to clarify any misinterpretations from the initial guidance provided in June during the lumber shortage stemming from the pandemic supply chain,” DOI said.

Some types of European spruce, for example, do not have the same specific gravity of American pine. That can affect the performance of nails, screws and other fastening systems, the department’s guidelines explain. If that type of lumber is used, an engineered design must be used.

Other lumber may not have the same allowable span for floor joists as pine boards historically used in American buildings, the department noted.

A link to the code interpretation on the use of lumber species not recognized by the residential building code can be seen here. An interpretation on the use of European lumber used in exterior wall construction is here.

Topics Europe North Carolina