Build Strong, Straight, and Smart with TimberStrand® LSL in the Southwest

June 10, 2025 in Wood Products

Framing tall walls in the Southwest? Weyerhaeuser’s Trus Joist® 1.6E TimberStrand® LSL studs are engineered specifically for you. Available only in California, Nevada, and Arizona, these high-performance studs deliver the strength, stability, and code compliance needed for today’s challenging building conditions, from seismic zones to high-wind exposures.

Why 1.6E TimberStrand® LSL?

TimberStrand® LSL studs are manufactured to a 1.6E grade, making them comparable to Douglas Fir-Larch #2 in stiffness with equivalent shear wall performance and installation. Whether you're designing for structural performance or ease of installation, TimberStrand® LSL delivers.

2x6 wall framing property comparison (Load duration = 1.0)

TimberStrand 1.6E vs Doug Fir No 2

(1) No repetitive factor has been applied.
(2) Equivalent Specific Gravity for shear walls and lateral nail connections.
(3) Referenced tension value based on a standard 4 ft length.
(4) Plank orientation.

Key Benefits

  • Engineered Strength
    With a 1.6E stiffness grade and exceptional bending and axial properties, TimberStrand LSL studs provide superior performance in tall walls, and columns.
  • Code-Compliant
    Evaluated by ICC-ES (ESR -1387) to meeting prescriptive and engineered requirements of the 2018, 2021, and 2024 IRC and IBC for stud wall applications.
  • Dimensionally Stable
    Resists warping, twisting, and shrinking, ideal for tall wall framing, flush finishes, and reduced callbacks.
  • Jobsite Efficient
    Unlike traditional lumber, there is no need to sort through the stack to find usable studs. Uniform sizing and straightness allow faster installs and fewer adjustments, critical for saving time on the jobsite.
  • Flexible Layouts
    Available in 2x4, 2x6, and 2x8* nominal sizes with clear guidance for allowable holes, simplifying plumbing and electrical routing.
    *Check local availability for 2x8

Designed for Southwestern Conditions

  • Seismic and Wind-Ready
    Equivalent shear wall capacity to Douglas Fir-Larch with tall wall sizing tables for wind loading in our Wall Guide (TJ-9004).

Resources for Design and Specification

Ready to Build Smarter?

Visit Where to Buy to find a dealer near you, or contact your Weyerhaeuser representative to discuss how TimberStrand LSL can help improve performance and efficiency on your next project.