Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites

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

By Deviation Check Editorial Team. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.

Short answer

The submittal proposes a different manufacturer or product than the spec names, without an approved or-equal or substitution request. Default grade in Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites: Blocker.

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

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 the PM should do

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.

Back to the Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites hub, browse all divisions, or start a review.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a manufacturer substitution in Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites submittals?

Any proposed alternate to the basis-of-design product counts as a substitution and requires an or-equal approval letter from the architect of record. Examples include swapping Weyerhaeuser TJI I-joists for Boise Cascade BCI, replacing Weyerhaeuser Microllam LVL with an LP alternative, substituting Simpson Strong-Tie connectors with USP Structural Connectors, or changing CLT panel suppliers from Nordic Structures to SmartLam or Structurlam.

How does a subcontractor clear a manufacturer substitution flag on a Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites submittal?

The sub must attach a written or-equal approval letter signed by the architect of record. Without that letter, the deviation stays a Blocker regardless of how similar the alternate product appears. For architectural woodwork fabricator changes, the submittal should also confirm AWI membership and the fabricator's documented capability to meet the specified quality grade.

View this page as Markdown for LLMs and note-taking.