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, let's say you have a job that you ordered 532 lineal feet of 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 a little 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.