In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea explore the world of wood construction, from its long-standing reliability to the modern innovations shaping how we design and build homes today. Royal shares insights from the engineering side while John offers a builder’s perspective, creating a balanced discussion around value engineering, how to optimize performance, control costs, and avoid common pitfalls without compromising quality. They cover everything from lumber types, engineered wood products, and framing systems, to real-world stories about foundations, load paths, and lateral resistance. If you’ve ever wondered how the right engineering decisions can save thousands on a project while improving long-term durability, this episode is packed with takeaways.

• Why wood remains the most versatile and sustainable building material
• The difference between vertical and lateral loading — and why both matter
• How environmental factors affect lumber strength
• Engineered wood products and when to use them
• How to balance design, cost, and code compliance
• The line between smart value engineering and costly corner-cutting
• The evolution of framing systems, shear walls, and lateral design

Value engineering isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about building smarter. By understanding material behavior, code changes, and structural systems, builders and engineers can create stronger, more cost-effective, and longer-lasting homes.

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