R-Tight Panel
PO Box 700
Jeffersonville, VT 05464-0700

phone
(802) 644-2500

fax
(802) 644-2773

email info@rtight.com

Check Your Deck

Are you a builder? Possibly you’ve never built with stress-skin panels before. They really are not hard to work with, but they are different from stick-building. This manual is the result of years of ‘trial & error’ in the field, finding out what works well and what doesn’t. We recommend special tools and techniques. We do this for a reason.

Important: Please read this book carefully and follow our recommendations!

Building inspectors. Your local building inspector will probably have to inspect your building. Your inspector may or may not be familiar with stress-skin panels or even timberframe style construction. Most inspectors are smart, well-intentioned folks who want to see reasonable building standards upheld. To a large extent, his or her acceptance of your project will depend on the relationship you establish early on.

Important: You should spend time with your local inspector before you begin the construction phase of your project. Show them your R-Tight literature, share your plans with them.

Ask them up front if they’ve seen many stress-skin panel homes. If they have questions or concerns you can’t answer, give us a call. We have plenty of general information about stress-skin panels, and can almost certainly answer their questions.

Your timberframe. Our staff at R-Tight can best serve you if we get involved with your panel design and layout early on. As soon as you’ve started design work with your timberframe company, let us know. We’ll work directly with your timberframe company to lay out and design your panels so they fit your frame. When you get us involved early, we’ll be able to suggest ways to save you money on your panels.

Your foundation and first floor deck. The quality of your deck is critical to any project; this is especially true for timberframe construction. Your timberframe company will carefully square your frame after it’s raised on your first floor deck. Any small errors or deviations in the quality of your deck will be very apparent, and can seriously impact the quality of your finished home. So start your project right . . .

Important: Your first floor deck should have accurate dimensions to within ¼", and it should be square (measure diagonally) to within ¼" as well.

Figure 1. Measure your first floor deck to ensure accurate dimensions, and squareness

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