STURDI-LOK® WALLS

Patented and Registered

Through our partnership with MiTek® and the innovative STURDI-LOK® wall system, LOOK Buildings delivers engineered building solutions that help simplify the construction process from start to finish. Our custom-designed building kits are crafted for strength, efficiency, and ease of installation. Contractors appreciate the STURDI-LOK® panel system for its faster assembly times, reduced labor requirements, and quicker project completion.

Unlike conventional framed walls, STURDI-LOK® panels are engineered with built-in shear strength, eliminating the need for traditional structural sheathing in many applications. The result is a stronger, more efficient building system backed by proven engineering and industry-leading technology.

 

Read more at Sturdi-Lok.com!

FAST • EASY • STRONG

LOOK created a shear wall system that does not require exterior sheeting just for strength. We changed the orientation of all the bracing to be as thick as the wall itself. In other words, all of the lumber is 3-1/2″, 5-1/2 or 7-1/2″ thick with diagonal bracing and horizontal studs that can be used inside and out to attach any traditional sheeting, insulation, etc.

When these panels are joined together, they form a vertical post, similar to a pole barn except that these panels are normally bolted to concrete for a more permanent structure instead of putting wood into the ground. You won’t be able to have one of our buildings re-created, nor will you find better strength with conventional framing.

The STURDI-LOK® panels are 8’ wide, but they can be downsized to any width. Our STURDI-LOK® walls can go up to 36′ tall!

STURDI-LOK® WALL SYSTEM

STURDI-LOK® WALL SYSTEM

a

STEEL FRAME

  • Need Specialty Installers and equipment. Difficult when it’s too hot or too cold. Usually minimum shear design used to sell cheap. Steel buildings rely on metal skin for shear strength. Unstable during construction.
  • Blanket Insulation is compressed over steel frame. Must add walls inside of steel frame to add finishes, insulation.
  • Conduit and exposed HVAC are common. Have to work around large posts inside the room.
  • Steel doesn’t burn, but it changes form, buckles and loses strength from the heat of a fire. You need fire insurance for steel buildings too. Don’t be fooled. Larger area of structural repairs.
  • Truss span: longer spans do not allow for complete interior ceiling finish. Be cautious of loads and drywall cracking.
  • Lead times usually up to 12 weeks and beyond.
  • Soil conditions dictate pier sizes and costs associated with it. Different point load conditions can affect movement.
a

CONVENTIONAL FRAME

  • Takes longer to frame and do-it-yourselfer may not want to tackle a pile of lumber and sheathing. Stick framing relies on sheathing for shear strength. Minimum shear design used. Unstable during construction.
  • Ready for traditional finishes and insulation. Watch out for vertical sagging on insulation.
  • You can run electrical through the walls as well as HVAC without having to keep it exposed. 
  • If framed and finished properly, fires in wood framed buildings spread slowly and repairs are limited to just the area damaged.
  • 2’OC span is best option to complete the interior ceiling or if you want different roofing material other than metal.
  • Lead times quicker if you can find the labor.
  • Traditional framing does distribute loads throughout the building, but unable to bridge poor soils like STURDI-LOK® walls.
a

STURDI-LOK® FRAME

  • Can be installed quicker than anything else and more accurately, even by the do-it-yourselfer. Most shear design used for frame. Walls do not rely on sheathing or metal for shear. Self-Bracing during construction.
  • Walls are ready to be finished without adding additional studs or purlins like you have to in a steel frame. Doesn’t transfer heat and cold like steel.
  • Easy to insulate with any type of insulation, run electrical through the walls as well as HVAC without having to keep exposed. Ready for drywall finish or any other finish.
  • Better than traditional wood framing, STURDI-LOK® panels have fire-blocking throughout, slowing the spread of fire. Also, fire-retardant lumber can be used.
  • 2’OC span is best option to complete the interior ceiling or if you want different roofing material other than metal.
  • Lead times are typically 4-6 weeks. Labor takes less time.
  • STURDI-LOK® panels help to bridge concrete over poor soils and displace loads evenly because of its design.

Installation Speed and Labor Requirements

Contractors appreciate the STURDI-LOK panel system for its faster assembly times, reduced labor requirements, and quicker project completion. Our panels can be installed quicker than anything else and more accurately, even by the do-it-yourselfer, with lead times typically 4-6 weeks and labor taking less time. The system is self-bracing during construction, making installation easier than handling a pile of lumber and sheathing required for stick framing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are STURDI-LOK walls?
STURDI-LOK walls are engineered wood wall panels developed through our partnership with MiTek that simplify construction from start to finish. Unlike conventional framed walls, these panels are engineered with built-in shear strength, eliminating the need for traditional structural sheathing in many applications. The panels feature lumber that is 3-1/2″, 5-1/2″, or 7-1/2″ thick with diagonal bracing and horizontal studs, creating a stronger and more efficient building system backed by proven engineering.
How do STURDI-LOK walls compare to stick framing?
STURDI-LOK walls can be installed quicker and more accurately than stick framing, even by do-it-yourselfers, because they don't rely on sheathing for shear strength. While stick framing takes longer to frame and uses minimum shear design that relies on sheathing, our panels are engineered with built-in shear strength and are self-bracing during construction. Both systems are ready for traditional finishes and insulation, but STURDI-LOK panels have fire-blocking throughout that slows the spread of fire better than traditional wood framing.
How do STURDI-LOK walls differ from steel building frames?
STURDI-LOK walls are ready to be finished without adding additional studs or purlins like you have to in a steel frame, and they don't transfer heat and cold like steel does. Steel buildings rely on metal skin for shear strength and are unstable during construction, while our panels are self-bracing and have built-in shear strength. You can run electrical through STURDI-LOK walls as well as HVAC without having to keep it exposed, unlike steel buildings where conduit and exposed HVAC are common.
How do STURDI-LOK walls perform on poor soil conditions?
STURDI-LOK panels help to bridge concrete over poor soils and displace loads evenly because of their design. Traditional framing distributes loads throughout the building but is unable to bridge poor soils like STURDI-LOK walls can, giving our system an advantage in challenging soil conditions.