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Offsite Construction Handbook

Course Overview

Offsite construction is transforming the building industry by shifting key processes from traditional sites to controlled factory environments. This approach enhances productivity, quality, and sustainability, addressing challenges like labor shortages and environmental impact. The delivery process emphasizes early collaboration, integrated design, and robust project management to optimize efficiency and risk management. Durability and energy efficiency are achieved through advanced material selection, moisture management, and airtight, highly insulated assemblies. Construction logistics, quality control, and commissioning are tailored for offsite methods, ensuring rapid, reliable project delivery. Life cycle analysis shows offsite construction can reduce embodied carbon and waste, supporting climate goals. Canada’s evolving policies and market trends position offsite construction as a key solution for affordable, sustainable housing.

Learning Objectives

Understand how offsite construction improves the durability, moisture control, and energy performance of wood building systems.
Identify the structural and sustainability benefits of early design integration in offsite wood construction projects.
Evaluate the role of life-cycle analysis and embodied carbon in positioning offsite wood construction as a solution for sustainable and affordable housing in Canada.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Dorian Tung
Manager, Technology Assessment
FPInnovations

Dorian Tung is currently the Manager of Technology Assessment at FPInnovations. Prior to this, he worked as a structural consultant in Canada and the US. As a manager, he has been working with scientists on projects related to structure, seismic, durability, energy, fire, acoustic, and vibration. With the evolving ecosystem, Dorian is active in many working groups to facilitate discussions, remove duplicates, accelerate processes, with the goal to maximize impacts for the forest industry NOW using research data. He is also the editor of the Offsite Wood Construction Handbook published by FPInnovations.

Helen Goodland
Principal. Head of Research and Innovation
SCIUS Advisory

Helen Goodland is an architect registered in the UK and has an MBA from the University of BC. Helen is firmly committed to achieving truly sustainable buildings within the next decade. She is also passionate about advancing leadership opportunities for women in construction technology. To this end, she participates on numerous boards and committees. Currently she serves on the Board of Directors of Building Transformations (formerly CanBIM), the BC Digital Advisory Council, the BCIT Mass Timber Education Advisory Board and the University of Victoria’s Green Civil Engineering Advisory Council. She is also past chair of the UN Sustainable Buildings Initiative’s Materials Technical Committee.

Adam Robertson
Co-founder and Principal
Sustainatree

Adam completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto and also holds a Master of Applied Science degree from the Department of Wood Science at the University of British Columbia. He is the past Chair of the CSA Subcommittee on Permanent Wood Foundations and acted as a primary author and editor during the update and revisions to the Canadian Wood Council’s Permanent Wood Foundations publication. He is the co-founder and principal of Sustainatree Consulting, a small firm specializing in sustainability and engineering design of wood building systems. Prior to opening his own practice, Adam was previously employed by the Canadian Wood Council and has also worked as a consulting structural engineer and within the building development and construction management fields.

Offsite Construction in Ontario: A Practical and Diligent Path Forward

Course Overview

From the housing supply deficit to affordability issues and labour challenges, several conditions have been supporting a renewed interest for innovation in construction practices. Offsite construction is often identified as a promising approach to improve the way we build. This session explores the current market characteristics which are conducive to offsite practices, including the consistent shift towards multifamily construction in Ontario. It also identifies the numerous potential benefits of shifting the construction process from site to factory. The speakers will discuss underlying assumptions and conditions and questions such as: Are the promised benefits tangible and quantifiable? Do savings actually reach a project’s bottom line? Do all of the benefits apply to specific applications?

Learning Objectives

Identify market, labour, and housing conditions in Ontario that are driving interest in offsite and wood-based construction systems.
Evaluate the practical benefits and limitations of offsite construction using mass timber and panelized wood systems.
Assess when offsite construction provides measurable value at the project level, including cost, schedule, quality, and risk considerations.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Mike Schmidt
President
Auto Construct Incorporated

A Tool & Die Maker with a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration, Mike understands manufacturing from the ground up. He spent his formative years as an executive in the automotive industry; working for world-class, multinational corporations such as Magna International and ArcelorMittal. In 2017, Mike established Auto Construct Incorporated (ACI), a management consulting firm, to accelerate the industrialization of residential construction. Specializing in the conversion from stick-built to offsite construction, Mike has led and facilitated the growth of several companies to become dominant players in their respective fields. ACI provides education, guidance, and implementation support in the areas of business development, manufacturing systems, technology selection, and factory start-ups. ACI serves a broad range of land developers, construction firms, homebuilders, and manufacturing companies throughout Canada and the United States.

Construction Moisture Management of Mass Timber Buildings

Course Overview

Mass timber buildings are transforming the way we build—but with new materials come new challenges. This session will explore how moisture risks in mass timber construction and how to take a proactive approach to moisture management. Participants will gain practical insights into effective protection strategies during the construction phase and learn how to develop a tailored moisture management plan to safeguard both the mass timber structure and project timelines.

Learning Objectives

Identify key moisture risks specific to mass timber construction and understand how they differ from traditional structural systems.
Apply practical construction-phase moisture protection strategies that align with project sequencing, site conditions, and contractor workflows.
Develop or evaluate a project-specific moisture management plan to protect mass timber elements, reduce delays, and ensure long-term durability.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

David Stanton
Associate, Senior Engineer – Building Enclosure
RDH Building Science Inc.

David is an Associate and Senior Building Science Engineer in RDH Building Science’s Toronto office. David’s exposure to mass timber projects started with the Brock Commons project in BC as a coop student and then with the Catalyst building in Spokane, WA—a 4-storey mass timber building for Eastern Washington University—when he started working full-time in the Building Science field. Since moving back to Toronto, David has continued to work on large scale mass timber projects, including the Lawson Center for Sustainability and the Academic Wood Tower projects at UofT.

Sean Carroll
Senior Superintendent
Graham Construction

Sean Carroll is a Senior Superintendent with Graham Construction, bringing over 32 years of experience across Canada, Europe, and the UK. A civil engineer and journeyman carpenter, Sean has led complex projects in the commercial, residential, pharmaceutical, and educational sectors—including several involving advanced Mass Timber construction. Over his 11 years with Graham, split between Alberta and Ontario, Sean has been at the forefront of integrating sustainable building methods, particularly in the use of engineered timber systems. He brings a deep understanding of Mass Timber coordination, sequencing, and tolerances, along with a strong commitment to safety, quality, and team leadership. Known for his hands-on approach and global perspective, Sean combines technical precision with a collaborative leadership style—driving successful project outcomes from concept through completion.

Natasha Jeremic
Manager, Codes and Standards – Sustainability
Canadian Wood Council

Natasha Jeremic is a Professional Engineer in the building industry, with a background in design, building performance, and project management. She is currently the Sustainability Manager for Codes and Standards at the Canadian Wood Council, where she leads strategic initiatives focused on low-carbon construction, energy efficiency, durability, and circularity. Natasha leverages her expertise in structural design, building envelope consulting, and whole life carbon accounting to showcase how wood products contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon built environment. She is passionate about raising awareness of wood’s role as a viable solution in advancing climate-conscious construction.

Halsa 230 Royal York: Ontario’s Tallest Mass Timber Residential Building

Course Overview

Halsa 230 Royal York is setting new standards as Toronto’s pioneering 9-storey prefabricated mass timber rental building, demonstrating the viability of carbon-neutral communities within Toronto’s Right of Way zoning. Through a case study of the building, this session will present the advantages of integrated design and prefabricated mass timber building systems components.

Learning Objectives

Explain the integrated design and prefabrication strategies used in mass timber residential construction: Learners will be able to describe how collaborative design, advanced manufacturing, and prefabricated building systems contribute to project efficiency, quality, and scalability.
Analyze the technical features and performance benefits of mass timber floor cassettes and curtain wall systems: Learners will understand the structural, acoustic, fire resistance, and thermal properties of the building’s mass timber components, and how these features address common challenges in high-rise construction.
Evaluate the sustainability, regulatory, and operational considerations in developing carbon-neutral mass timber buildings: Learners will assess how material sourcing, certification, lifecycle carbon analysis, and code compliance shape the viability and impact of mass timber projects in urban environments.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Oliver Lang
Co-Founder, Chief Product Officer, Intelligent City
Co-Founder, Principal, LWPAC

Oliver Lang is a German-Canadian architect and urban entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience and a recognized leader in design innovation and integration of complex urban projects, mixed-use housing, advanced prefabrication, and green building strategies. He is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation, with a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design, and he holds a professional degree (Diplom-Ingenieur Architektur) from the University of Technology Berlin with two-year studies at the ETSA Barcelona UPC. Prior to founding LWPAC in 1998, Oliver researched and practiced in digitally assisted design and fabrication with Smith-Miller & Hawkinson in New York, while teaching digital design at Princeton University, Columbia University, and University of Pennsylvania. He subsequently has taught advanced design and digital technology at SCI_ARC, the Berlage Institute, TU Berlin, UTF Santa Maria, and University of British Columbia (UBC).

Shawn Keyes
VP – Strategic Growth and Business Development
Intelligent City

Shawn is a structural engineer and commercial executive with more than a decade of experience leading innovation in mass timber and industrialized construction. As Vice President of Strategic Growth at Intelligent City, he leads commercialization, market strategy, and partnerships to scale the company’s prefabricated housing systems. Previously, Shawn served as Executive Director of WoodWorks BC, where he led a strategic transformation that strengthened partnerships, technical leadership, and influence across the development, AEC, and policy sectors. Before that, he spent over six years at Fast + Epp as a Senior Structural Engineer, developing deep technical expertise. Over his career, Shawn has supported more than 150 mass timber and hybrid projects across Canada, and has served on advisory councils for BC Housing, BCIT, the BC Office of Mass Timber Implementation, Forestry Innovation Investment, and Natural Resources Canada. He holds an MBA from UBC Sauder, a Master of Engineering from Carleton University, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in BC and Ontario.

The Future of Tall: The Future of Cities

Course Overview

Over the past two decades, tall buildings have enjoyed a major uptake in almost all major cities globally. But is the push for greater urban density and taller buildings creating habitats and patterns of life that are truly sustainability, in terms of social, cultural and economic sustainability, as well as the carbon equation? Through examples from around the world, this session outlines areas where the typology, and cities, need to develop.

Learning Objectives

Understand the sustainability challenges and opportunities in tall building design: Explore how social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors influence the development of high-rise structures and urban density.
Identify innovative strategies for integrating mass timber and other sustainable materials in tall buildings: Learn how material choices impact carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and structural performance in high-rise construction.
Analyze global case studies to evaluate future trends in urban development and tall building typologies: Gain insights into design approaches that promote livable, resilient, and sustainable cities.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Dr. Antony Wood
CEO
Antony Wood Consulting

Dr. Antony Wood is the former President of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), responsible for leading the Council’s thought leadership, research, and academic initiatives. Prior to this, he was CTBUH chief executive officer (CEO) from 2006-2022. During his sixteen-year tenure as CEO, CTBUH significantly increased its outputs and initiatives across all areas globally. Wood’s PhD dissertation explored the multi-disciplinary aspects of skybridge connections between tall buildings. He is associate editor of the CTBUH Journal and serves on the editorial board of several other journals. He is the author of numerous books and papers in the fields of tall buildings, sustainability, and related fields. Wood has been conference chair and chair of the scientific committee at all CTBUH conferences since 2006. He has also presented at numerous conferences, and lectures regularly around the world.

Educators

WoodWorks® Software Educator Access Form

WoodWorks® is pleased to offer free academic subscriptions of our design software to educators teaching a wood design–related course. Professors and their students are eligible to receive complimentary access when the software is incorporated into the course curriculum.

If you are a Canadian professor, please complete the required information using the online form provided here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=YcoZSkRK-k-2z4egXpkc4wLlAGCfxjpLne4vUeSwMD1UREpJODgzSVhQQldWTllSNVdNVjVSN1hPVS4u

For U.S. professors, please complete the form below.

Building Officials

WoodWorks® Software Building Officials Access Form

Building officials have free access to the most widely used wood engineering software in the US and Canada.

Use is limited to plans review within the building department and should be ordered by one contact per office.

Fill out the form below to request your free copy.

Timber and Off-Site Construction

Course Overview

Join WoodWorks and prefab panel supplier, Ron Anderson + Sons, as they discuss strategies for navigating the world of off-site construction, explaining the challenges and benefits of prefabrication and how they impact the design and construction process. Learn about different strategies for navigating code compliance and coordinating with a prefabricated component supplier. The discussion will also cover common constraints like high seismic forces and high efficiency envelopes and how to address these with off-site construction. This one-hour presentation will provide a deeper understanding of the off-site construction process and its implications for your role in designing and constructing wood buildings.

Learning Objectives

Learn when off-site construction can deliver cost and schedule savings.
Learn how to ensure design coordination and specifications align with project requirements and prefabricated component supplier constraints.
Learn how construction strategies and detailing are affected when using prefabricated components and how to ensure successful project outcomes.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Derek Ratzlaff, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., PE
Technical Director
WoodWorks BC

Derek began his career in the wood industry in high school working on single and multi-family light wood frame construction. After university, and almost 20 years of structural consulting experience, Derek has worked in all types of wood construction and played key roles in the delivery of iconic BC wood structures including the Richmond Olympic Oval and Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre. He brings his experience in design and construction to support the industry as a Technical Director for Woodworks BC.

Jack Downing
President and CEO
Ron Anderson and Sons Ltd. Wood Framing

Jack’s journey in the framing industry spans over 20 years. He joined RAS in 2012 and his adeptness in orchestrating large sites and coordinating multiple crews immediately made him an invaluable asset to the company. His dedication and strong leadership led to his appointment as President and CEO of RAS in 2019. His journey from a skilled professional to respected industry leader exemplifies the ethos of growth and opportunity that defines RAS’s company culture. Under Jack’s leadership RAS is poised for continuous growth and innovation in the construction industry.

Understanding Glulam: The structural and architectural capabilities of mass timber

Course Overview

In this course, you’ll gain insight into the design and manufacturing considerations involved in using glulam in buildings. As one of the oldest mass timber products used in Canada, glulam offers exceptional flexibility and can be incorporated into a wide range of building types—particularly where curvature and expressive geometry are key. Presenters will outline design and manufacturing strategies for creating efficient structures, showing how glulam can be used not just as columns and beams, but as the primary structure in today’s innovative buildings—whether architecturally driven or focused on value and efficiency. They will also cover the availability of glulam products across Canada and explain how to maximize the value of the timber used. Practical tips will be shared to help designers and specifiers take full advantage of glulam’s attributes in a cost-efficient way.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn the design strategies employed when using curvature and geometry in buildings and gain an understanding of what is possible with expressive architecture.
Participants will understand the practical constraints of glulam manufacturing, including how to approach the design and specification of glulam members.
Participants will learn how different wood species and strength grades are applied in glulam design, and how to use them efficiently for optimal performance.
Participants will understand how geometry, fire ratings, and member layups influence the cost-efficiency and design potential of glulam systems.

Course Video

Speakers Bio

Andre Lema
Manager of Business Development
Western Archrib

Andre Lema, a seasoned professional in the wood industry, brings decades of experience and expertise. Starting as a carpenter and advancing through a degree in Construction Engineering at NAIT, Andre has been instrumental in driving the success of Western Archrib. His passion for wood and dedication to fostering client relationships have made him a key figure in the industry.

Alejandro Coronado, P.Eng.
Technical Advisor
WoodWorks BC

Alejandro Coronado is a Technical Advisor with a multidisciplinary background spanning contracting, supply, and consulting engineering. With both a Diploma and a Bachelor’s Degree in Structural Engineering from BCIT, Alejandro began his career in single-family residential design and steadily advanced to contribute to landmark projects such as the Centre Block Base Isolation at Parliament Hill, the UBC Museum of Anthropology Great Hall Renewal, the Royal BC Museum PARC Campus, and a mass timber campus in Silicon Valley. Initially drawn to mass timber for its expressive architectural potential, Alejandro quickly recognized its broader value in addressing today’s social and environmental challenges. Through many years of hands-on experience, Alejandro has become a champion for sustainable construction and simple yet effective structural solutions.

Sizer – US Version

WoodWorks®

Sizer 2026

$210 /yearly subscription (USD)
Conforms to IBC 2024, ASCE 7-22, and NDS 2024

With WoodWorks® Sizer, size beams, joists, columns, wall studs and panels constructed from lumber, timber, glulam, structural composite lumber, I-joists and CLT.

Specify dead, live, snow, wind, seismic and other load types distributed as point, line, area, triangular, and trapezoidal loads for up to 100 loads per member
Analyzes all load combinations as per IBC and ASCE 7, including partial loading, and concentrated live loads
Designs for all critical load combinations for shear, bending, deflection, and bearing at supports
Optimizes structural member size using material database and generates a material list for design
Includes editable database to add or modify custom wood materials
Designs light-frame floor systems using Sizer in Autodesk Revit^® through MWF Pro Wood extension.

Design Structures (Concept Mode)

Configure and design wood structures up to 6 stories for gravity loads
Structural members are transferable to the beam or column design mode for detailed analysis

Design Structural Members (Beam & Column Mode)

Designs components including multi-span, cantilevered, and inclined beams and joists, columns, wall studs, beam-columns, and cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels
Generates shear, bending moment, and deflection diagrams
Designs for supporting member bearing, notches, and Simpson Strong-Tie beam and joist hangers
Designs for fire resistance
And much more!

Software Edition

A 10-day trial period activates upon installation
Image for illustrative purposes only. This is a digital product. No physical item will be provided.

WoodWorks®

Sizer

WoodWorks® Sizer – Size beams, joists, columns, wall studs and panels constructed from lumber, timber, glulam, structural composite lumber, I-joists and CLT.

$210 /yearly subscription (USD)
A 10-day trial period activates upon installation

Software Edition

Image for illustrative purposes only. This is a digital product. No physical item will be provided.

WoodWorks®

Shearwalls

WoodWorks® Shearwalls, design light wood frame structures up to 6 storeys. At the push of a button, wind and seismic loads are generated, forces are distributed, and shearwalls are designed.

$250 /yearly subscription (USD)
A 10-day trial period activates upon installation

Software Edition

Image for illustrative purposes only. This is a digital product. No physical item will be provided.

Software Training Videos

WoodWorks Sizer | US Edition

Technical Specifications

Overall Information
Versions
User Guide
System Requirements

General Information
Operational System	All versions currently supported by Microsoft OS.
Software Edition	US Edition
Subscription	$210 USD/Yearly
Software Capabilities	WoodWorks® Sizer is a versatile software for designing structural systems and components made from materials such as lumber, timber, glulam, structural composite lumber, wood I-joists, and CLT. It analyzes all load combinations as per IBC and ASCE 7 and performs structural and fire design as per NDS. The software optimizes structural member sizes for single or multi-span, cantilevered, or inclined beams and joists, wall studs, columns, beam-columns and CLT panels. Sizer also integrates with Autodesk Revit® for designing light-frame floor systems.
SKU	WUSZC365
License Type	Concurrent
License Agreement	Click here to access the Woodworks Software® End User License Agreement.

Version 2026 (v.14.01) – Released in May 2026 and conforms to the NDS 2024, IBC 2024, ASCE 7-22, and SDPWS 2021

Click here to access the Change History of the US Sizer program

WoodWorks® US Sizer Tutorials (US Edition)

Beam Mode – Determine the beam size based on given loads and allow Sizer to suggest solutions.

Beam Mode – Determine the capacity of a pre-determined Beam size.

Column Mode – Determine the column size based on given loads and allow Sizer to suggest solutions.

Column Mode – Determine the capacity of a pre-determined Column size.

Concept Mode – Create a gravity load model of a two story structure.

Concept Mode – Create a gravity load model which is demonstrated in the concept mode overview video.

WoodWorks® US Database Editor Tutorials

Modifying Custom Databases – Tutorial goes over how to modify a custom SCL database.

WoodWorks® User Guide

The User Guide is a document created by the WoodWorks® Software Technical Support staff. The document includes instructions for operating the WoodWorks® programs as well as information on the software design settings.

Click here to download the Sizer User Guide.

System Requirements	Minimum	Recommended	Notes
Processor Speed	1 GHz	2 GHz	Single-core or equivalent performance in multiple-core processors.
RAM	1 GB	4 GB
Screen Resolution (Pixels)	1024 x 768	1440 x 900	Wide screen, adjust for other aspect ratios.
Free Hard Drive Space	80 MB	150 MB	Minimum is for download and installation. Recommended includes 100 typical project files.
Required Operating Systems	Microsoft Windows Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education/SE editions. All versions currently supported by Microsoft.

Why professionals use it?

Developed by Wood Design Experts

WoodWorks® Software is developed by Canadian Wood Council staff with expert knowledge and experience with building codes and wood design standards.

Enjoy Free Updates to New Versions

Stay ahead with free software updates. Benefit from updates to the latest building codes and design features as they become available.

Concurrent Licensing

Use a single license across multiple users without additional fees. Each license purchased grants one simultaneous use of the software.

Free Technical Support

Get expert assistance at no cost whenever you need it. Our dedicated support team is ready to help you maximize the value of your WoodWorks® license.

Design Proprietary Wood Products

Add and design proprietary wood products (e.g., structural composite lumber, I-joists) with ease.

Interfaces with Revit and Cadwork

Integrate your designs with industry-leading tools like Revit® (through MWF Pro Wood) and cadwork® for faster workflows and project efficiency.

Explore New Possibilities

There’s a New Way to Design Wood Buildings

Always Compliant with Canada and US Regulations

Built to align with Canada’s CSA O86 and NBC, as well as US codes and standards including IBC, ASCE-7, NDS, and SDPWS. Your projects meet safety and quality standards.

Access free technical support and resources to navigate wood design through WoodWorks® Software with ease and efficiency.

Access cutting-edge tools, resources, and expert guidance to navigate every stage of planning, design, and execution with ease and efficiency.

Easy to Use and Flexible Subscription Options

Enjoy user-friendly features and flexible subscription options designed to fit the needs of your project and your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

WoodWorks Sizer FAQ

Are live and snow loads input as factored loads?

All loads which are input into Sizer are unfactored. Once the design has been run, Sizer automatically factors the loads based on the appropriate load cases for the applicable code and standards the software conforms to.

Can I import a CAD drawing into Sizer’s Concept Mode?

At this time it is not possible to import a CAD drawing into concept mode. To create a model of a structure, it is recommended to either generate a grid based on the specified snap increment (Settings, View tab), or to place gridlines manually by clicking on the blank concept mode screen. When a specific gridline is clicked on, it is possible to remove the gridline by clicking the delete key or the gridlines name and location can be modified in the data bar.

Can Sizer be utilized to calculate the shear and moment at different points in a member?

The Point of Interest button located on the toolbar is used to investigate the shear and moment at any point along the length of a beam or column. A point of interest is generated by specifying a “Location from Left” to perform the analysis, and clicking “Add” to add this to your list. Several points of interest can be specified. After performing a design, the results for the points of interest will be shown in the Diagrams window and in the Analysis results output.

Designers may require shear or moment forces at specific points of interest. For example, for many types of connections, designers are required to check the shear capacity of the member at the connection location. WoodWorks^® Connections provides the effective shear capacity of a wood member at a connection location. Using the Point of Interest function, a designer could determine the corresponding design shear force. This is also very useful to determine what the shear and bending is at a notch or hole.

Does WoodWorks software link to other software?

WoodWorks Sizer is capable of interfacing with cadwork^® and Revit^®. Third party interface programs are capable of automatically sizing beams either by opening Sizer and running the design, or by running Sizer in the background. The resulting beam size is automatically brought in to the cadwork^® or Revit^® model. The cadwork^® link is imbedded directly in the program. The Revit^® link is done by a third party program created by Structsoft solutions. Please see the following link for more information on 3rd party interface with Sizer.

How can I design Structural Composite Lumber (SCL) such as PSL, LVL, or LSL using Sizer?

A growing amount of manufacturers of SCL products are sharing the cost to include some of their SCL products in Sizer. A list of participating manufacturers is included on our website under the Proprietary Products section.
The manufacturer’s participation options are to:

a) Provide a database to designers that can be added to the software database
b) Work with the software developer through the CWC to include some or all of their solid rectangular (not engineered I-joists) products in the generic version of Sizer
c) Work with the software developer through the CWC to develop a fully customized version of Sizer that can include all products including I-joists.

If the manufacturer you typically specify products from is not already included in the software, it is recommended that you contact them and ask them if they have an updated material database for you or would be willing to create one for you. You can request that they contact us should they wish to have their database included with the installation of the software.

You can create your own custom SCL database using the databases editor:
If you have a SCL custom database file and would like to implement it into the software, you are going to need to place the file in the following two locations on your computer. Make sure you do this in both locations or else it will not work.

For USA Design Office 11:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Woodworks\CWC\USA\11
C:\ProgramData\WoodWorks\CWC\USA\11

For Canadian Design Office 10:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Woodworks\CWC\Canada\10
C:\ProgramData\WoodWorks\CWC\Canada\10

Once the file has been placed in the above locations, it will be necessary to open the database editor and ensure that the database is set to “use”. The next time you open Sizer, the database will be available for selection.

How do I enter an actual size of a member that is the same as one of the existing nominal sizes?

For the US edition of the software, it may be that the actual size you wish to enter is the same as a nominal size in the Sizer database.

Example: if you wish to enter the full 2″ width of undressed lumber, rather than the 1.5” planed width. Sizer will in this case select the nominal size when you type in the number “2”. However, if you type in 2.001, Sizer will interpret this as an actual size, and even though it rounds the number and shows it as “2” the nomenclature for the width and depth input will display “in” rather than “nom in” and treat it as an actual size. When following this method, it is necessary to input the exact depth as well, if the depth is left as unknown, then the design results will revert back to nominal dimensions.

For the Canadian edition of the software, it is possible to input the exact dimensions of a member by specifying the material as “Rough Lumber”. Using the “Rough Lumber” material allows the user to input specific member dimensions.

Sizer crashes whenever I click on Loads input View.

This is a known issue with Sizer and is due to some background programming in Microsoft Windows. To resolve the issue, enable the “Show loads view in a pop-up Window” feature in the Settings, Preferences tab.

Looking for WoodWorks Sizer Support?

Let us Know How We Can Help You

Our technical team is available to support you throughout your WoodWorks Software® journey during regular office hours.

Other Products

Take a moment to explore our other software products, designed to assist you in designing your next project.

WoodWorks® Sizer

With WoodWorks® Sizer, size beams, joists…

$210 /yearly 10-day trial period available.

WoodWorks® Shearwalls

With WoodWorks® Sizer, size beams, joists…

$250 /yearly 10-day trial period available.

WoodWorks® Connections

With WoodWorks® Sizer, size beams, joists…

$60 /yearly 10-day trial period available.

Mass Timber, Woodworks

Mass Timber Business Case Studies

This document presents a series of business case studies that explore the financial performance of mass timber projects, providing quantitative data and qualitative insights to help developers and investors assess its economic viability.

Each case study measures investment success, challenges, and lessons learned from the developer’s and project team’s perspectives. Moreover, by analyzing strategy, risk, revenue, cost and schedule, these case studies enable direct comparisons between mass timber and traditional construction methods.

WoodWorks is seeking developers and owners with completed mass timber projects to share data for analysis, supporting education and training in the mass timber sector. The goal is to continuously expand case studies across various sectors and markets. To participate or learn more, please contact a WoodWorks staff member.

Uncategorized

Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarships

Call for Submissions: 2025 Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarships for Wood Related Research

Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarships are presented to graduate students, enrolled at Canadian Universities, who demonstrate excellence in their studies of structural wood products or wood design. The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) invites submissions from graduate students in engineering, architecture, and wood science. Submitted projects must demonstrate their value and impact on Canadian-made structural wood products and/or their role in advancing domestic wood construction.

The CWC will award two scholarships to graduate students whose outstanding wood research not only demonstrates academic excellence but also mirrors the unwavering passion for the wood industry exemplified by Catherine Lalonde, in whose honor the scholarships are named.

Catherine, a professional engineer, was a passionate representative of our industry who relentlessly championed the use of wood in residential and commercial construction during her 10 years with the CWC. She served as president of the CWC from 2000 until 2003 when she tragically lost her battle with cancer. This award was established to commemorate Catherine’s memory and perpetuate the legacy of excellence and advocacy she bestowed upon the Canadian wood products industry throughout her influential tenure at the CWC.

Scholarship Details and Application Process

1. Scholarship Value
Two scholarships, valued at $3,000 each, will be awarded to outstanding graduate students.

2. Who can apply?
Students enrolled in graduate programs in engineering, architecture, or wood science whose work contributes to the advancement of domestic wood products and construction.

3. Application Process

Step

Requirement

Deadline

Step 1 – Notification of Interest

The Notification of Interest submission period has now closed. Eligible applicants have been notified of their preselection via email.

If you were unable to submit your Notification of Interest before the deadline for reasons beyond your control and expect to complete the full application on time, please contact Ioana Lazea at [email protected] to discuss your situation.

Closed – October 17, 2025

Step 2 – Full Application Submission

Preselected applicants have been invited to complete the Full Application through a dedicated portal and upload all required documents (see checklist below).

November 14, 2025

4. Full Application Submission Checklist

For Step 2, applicants must upload the following documents to the submission portal:

One cover letter.
Official transcripts:
- Master’s applicants: undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
- Doctoral applicants: master’s transcript.
Two-page description of the project, plus up to two pages of drawings or photos (if applicable).
Two letters of reference, preferably from faculty members or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s work.

For additional information, please contact Ioana Lazea at [email protected]

Magazine, Revue, Technical Publications

Wood Design & Building Magazine, vol 24, issue 97

2025 Wood Design & Building Awards Call for Submissions Now Open

Wood Design and Building Awards

Wood Decay and Repair

Biophilic Design, CWC, Premium, Wood Design
Biophilic Design, CWC, Premium, Wood Design
Technical Books

Wood Design: A Guide for Architects and Educators

Canadian Wood Council releases new Environmental Product Declarations for 5 Canadian manufactured wood products

Design for Deconstruction in Light Wood Frame

Magazine, Revue, Technical Publications

Wood Design & Building Magazine, vol 24, issue 96

Canadian Wood Council Applauds Strategic Federal Investments in B.C.’s Forest Industry

Canadian Wood Council Applauds Federal-Provincial Investment in Advanced Wood Construction in Quebec

Canadian Wood Council Applauds Federal Investment in Nova Scotia’s Mass Timber Industry

Treatment during engineered wood product manufacture

Sizer Course – US

Course Overview The Sizer Course provides an in-depth introduction to the WoodWorks Sizer Program, a powerful tool for designing and analyzing structural elements such as...

Lesson 4 Assessment

Difficulty Level: 1/5 Estimated Time to Complete: 15 minutes Problem Statement: Joist Bearing Length Design* The goal of this assignment is to determine the minimum bearing...

Board Foot

Wind and Seismic Calculator

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Summary

Congratulations on completing the Shearwalls Course! Throughout this program, you have gained a solid understanding of the WoodWorks Shearwalls Program and its powerful...

Single Shearwall & Manual Load Design – An Example

Introduction This lesson demonstrates how to model a single shearwall, manually apply seismic or wind loads, and account for additional forces like uplift and dead loads....

Part 5: Deflection, Hold-Down Displacement, and Storey Drift

Introduction The video explains shearwall deflection, hold-down displacement, and storey drift analysis using an example model. It covers deflection calculations based on...

Part 1: 3-term vs 4-term Deflection Equation

Please note that this lesson has two parts. As such, there will be only one quiz and assignment which can be found at the end of the 3-term vs. 4-term Deflection Equation...

Part 3: Rigid Diaphragm Analysis

Introduction The focus in this video is on flexible diaphragm distribution and how it is applied within the software. Building on the previous discussion of flexible versus...

Part 1: Introduction to Shearwalls

Please note that this lesson has three parts. As such, there will be only one quiz and assignment which can be found at the end of the Creating and Moving Walls video....

Shearwalls Course – US

Course Overview The Shearwalls Course introduces learners to the WoodWorks Shearwalls Program, a tool designed for modeling and analyzing wood-frame structures. This course...

Summary

Congratulations on completing the Sizer Course! Through this program, you have gained a comprehensive understanding of the WoodWorks Sizer Program and its application in...