how to use what’s delivered

manufacturing synergy wood

When we run our tongue and groove products, our precision molder is set-up to run a product specific face width with a tolerance of ± .010″.  However, because the wood being run through our molder varies due to grain and knot structure, moisture content, side bend, etc., the tolerance we accept is ± 1/16″ in width.

product labels

Once the Synergy product is bundled or ready to be boxed, a special label is affixed to the boards. This label identifies the product, color, wood species, job lot, and a special QR code with a link to the instruction manual (included on every bundle). When you receive your package, make sure the bundle/box matches your order before you start installing. Review and follow the installation manual and warranty document before installation. Feel free to call us with any installation or product questions at 866-791-6714.

Synergy Wood product labels with QR tag for installation instructions.

How To Use What is Delivered

Even with the inspection process that each Synergy board experiences, sometimes items get through or happen in transit to the job site. But even if something gets through our process or in transit, is it usable?  The answer is yes!

So how do you use something you would rather not have in your ceiling?  First, realize that since you have end matched product, the end joint can fall anywhere on the ceiling.  You will need to have shorter, cut pieces at the end of every run you are making (just like a wood floor).

When using Synergy tongue and groove products, don’t set aside boards that may have natural or undesirable defects.  Use these boards during the normal course of installation by cutting out the undesirable areas and using these as starting or ending pieces.

Two common items that we hear about are knot holes and side bent boards.  Let’s take a look at each:

Knot Hole: As an example, you have a job that you ordered 532 lineal feet of #2 Cypress and each board is 9.1/2′ (114″) long.  You start your installation and on one of the boards, a 2″ diameter knot fell out.  If you cut the 2″ diameter hole out and use both ends, this represents 1.7% of the board.  But it also represents .03% of the job total!

Further, even if you had 10 boards with 2″ holes in each (highly unlikely), it is still .3% of the job total.  You are still below our recommended 5% waste for the job.  But if you saved these 10 boards for the end of the job, that represents over 17%!

Note for E-Peck® Products: Similar to #2 grade boards, E-Peck® will have unlimited surface checks and knot holes included. Lose knots or knot holes may have tape backing. In some applications, if the knot holes are undesirable, the installer can cut these areas out and create starting or ending boards.

Side Bend (at end of board): Same example as above, 532 lineal feet of Cypress and each board is 9.1/2′ (114″) long.  In the diagram below, let’s say you find one board that the end is bowed approximately 84″ from one end.  If you cut part of the bow out (18.1/4″), that represents 16% of the board but only .3% of the job total. ​If the side bend is at the end of the board, cut part of the bow out and lose only 16% of the board and only .3% of the job.

Side Bend (in middle of board): Let’s say that you have a 9.1/2′ board that has more than 1/2″ side bend to it, say 3/4″, as shown in the diagram below.

​Side Bend – Cutting the board in half: Just by cutting the board in half, the side bend will go well below 1/2 the original side bend, as shown in the following diagram.  Now both of the remaining pieces can be used as starter or ending pieces in your ceiling.  Your total waste is 0%!

​Side Bend – Cutting the board in half will give you two usable straightened pieces.

SHIPPING

All of our products are packaged with durability and care. If your package is to be shipped by freight, please make sure your quote accurately reflects your delivery type (residential or commercial) and that you have either a forklift, help and a ramp – or have added the extra services of the delivery company. Freight drivers will not deliver your package to your door like Amazon. Residential or Job Site delivery only brings the pallet to the back of the truck. It is the customer’s responsibility to:

1. Unload material from back of truck

2. Remove the pallet and packaging from back of the truck

3. Have someone available at the appointed time. The carrier will call with this information.

4. No other services are provided which include, but not limited to, having the driver help in any way, liftgate service, etc. without first making those arrangements with Synergy Wood Products.

5. If additional services are used and not authorized by Synergy, the customer will be responsible for all additional charges and will be due upon receipt of invoice.

Feel free to call us with any shipping or product questions at 866-791-6714.

wood movement

Installed wood is constantly expanding and contracting due to temperature and relative humidity, wood does not move equally in all directions.  The grain structure causes it to move differently in three different directions.

Wood is very stable along its longitudinal direction (length of board), parallel to the grain.  Green lumber shrinks approximately .01% of its length as it dries.

Wood moves much more across the grain, tangent (width as it is plain-sawn) to the growth rings.  Green lumber shrinks as much as 8% in this direction.

Wood moves only half as much (4%) in the radial direction (thickness as it is plain-sawn).

All wood brought into Synergy is kiln dried.  Each species is slightly different and therefore will have a different moisture content.  What is important is that we will not finish any wood that is above 18% moisture content.

If any Synergy product is to be installed on an interior ceiling or wall, you should allow the wood to acclimate to its environment at least 72 hours (or more if possible) so that the wood equalizes.

If the product is going to be installed on an exterior porch ceiling (please read installation guides for interior/exterior applications), no acclimation period will be required; unless it is going into a very dry climate