Manufacturer or Product Substitution in Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites submittals

The submittal proposes a different manufacturer or product than the spec names, without an approved or-equal or substitution request. This guide covers how it shows up specifically in Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites submittals.

What to look for in Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites

Wood and composite specs name basis-of-design manufacturers and product lines. Submittals proposing alternates must provide "or equal" documentation. Look for:

• Structural composite lumber substitutions (Weyerhaeuser Microllam LVL, Parallam PSL vs Boise Cascade or LP alternatives)
• I-joist manufacturer/model changes (Weyerhaeuser TJI vs Boise Cascade BCI)
• Simpson Strong-Tie connector substitutions with USP Structural Connectors or other brands
• Truss manufacturer changes (MiTek vs Alpine vs other fabricators)
• Glulam manufacturer substitutions (Western Wood Structures, Nordic Structures, Calvert Company)
• CLT/mass timber panel manufacturer changes (Nordic Structures, SmartLam, Structurlam)
• Architectural woodwork fabricator changes - verify AWI membership and quality grade capability

Common examples in Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites submittals

In Division 06 a brand swap is rarely just sourcing, because the engineered wood and connectors carry load, so "equal" has to mean equal by calculation, not by catalog. Confirm these before accepting an alternate:

• A current ICC-ES evaluation report (ESR) for the substituted product covering the exact use, since allowable spans and capacities are set by each manufacturer's own report, not a generic table.
• Matching design values - an LVL or I-joist alternate must meet or exceed the specified depth, series, and Fb/E for every marked member, verified on the sub's own span sheets.
• Connector substitutions checked against the engineer's uplift and lateral loads: a USP or MiTek connector offered as "equal" to a Simpson callout must carry the same rated load in the same species and fastener schedule, or it fails the connection, not just the spec.
• For trusses and glulam, confirm the alternate fabricator holds the required certification (TPI or APA/AITC) and that new shop drawings carry a licensed engineer's stamp.
• Fire-retardant or preservative treatment preserved where the assembly requires FRT or ground-contact material.

Hold it Blocker until the stamped equivalence is on file - a structural substitution that under-performs is a safety issue, not a finish note.

How severe is it?

Default grade: Blocker. Drops to a Note if the submittal attaches an or-equal approval letter from the architect of record.

Deviation Check assigns a default per category and escalates or de-escalates based on the spec, always showing its reasoning. See the Division 06 severity rules.

What to do about it

Before you submit (subcontractor): Fix this before you send the package. Use the specified product, or get the substitution or or-equal approved in writing first. Submitted as-is, this is the kind of item that comes back as a hold and costs you a full resubmittal cycle.

If you are reviewing it (GC PM): Treat this as a hold. Do not approve the submittal until the sub resolves it, either by providing the specified product and documentation or by routing an approved substitution or or-equal request. Return the relevant spec passage to the sub as a redline.

Other deviation categories in Division 06

• Performance Specification Gap
• Missing Certification or Compliance Documentation
• Aesthetic Deviation
• Detail or Installation Mismatch
• Submittal Package Incompleteness

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