Are Cut Sheets, Data Sheets, or Spec Sheets Enough to Get Specified?

Product information sheets (often referred to as cut sheets, data sheets, or spec sheets) outline the key attributes and features of your products. These documents are valuable for quickly communicating important details such as dimensions, materials, and performance characteristics to architects, engineers, and construction professionals (AECs), but are they enough to get your products specified?

The short answer is: no. Building product manufacturers who rely solely on product information sheets are at a disadvantage, as these documents often lack the detailed information necessary to meet the specific requirements of an AEC project. To improve your chances of getting specified, it’s essential to go beyond basic product details and provide clear, comprehensive 3-part specifications.

Product Information Sheets: Advantages vs. Limitations

Advantages:

• Quick and Handy Resource: Product information sheets provide a snapshot of key details, making them convenient for specifiers to assess a product at a glance.
• Initial Decision-Making: They serve as a starting point for the AEC community to determine if your product is a potential fit for their needs.
• Marketing & Outreach: They can be shared in brochures, catalogs, and on websites to generate awareness and interest.

Limitations:

• Lack of Project-Specific Details: Product information sheets typically don’t include the level of detail needed for full project integration. They may mention material properties and dimensions, but they often leave out installation instructions, performance standards, and compliance with building codes.
• No Reference to Standards: AEC professionals need assurance that your product meets necessary industry standards and codes, but product information sheets rarely include references to these standards or the certifications your product holds.
• Limited Information on Performance: While they might highlight basic performance characteristics, product information sheets generally don’t offer in-depth performance data, such as load capacities, energy efficiency ratings, or compliance with sustainability criteria like LEED.

Going Beyond Product Information Sheets

To increase the chances of your products being specified in projects, you need to provide more than just product information sheets. One of the most crucial types of content for positioning your products for success is 3-part specifications, which follow SectionFormat guidelines outlined by Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). 

3-part specifications are considered the gold standard for documenting product requirements in the AEC industry. As the name suggests, they are broken down into three distinct sections:

Part 1: General – Outlines the scope, standards, and regulatory requirements for the product.

Part 2: Products – Specifies the exact products and their attributes, such as materials, finishes, performance criteria, and brand names (if applicable).

Part 3: Execution – Includes the installation, application, and quality control procedures for the product.

This 3-part format ensures consistency and clarity throughout the document and provides specifiers with everything they need to make an informed decision about your products. 

How Product Info Sheets & 3-Part Specs Work Together

When used alongside your 3-part specifications, product info sheets offer additional, easily accessible information about your products to the AEC community. This not only creates more touchpoints for potential specifiers to engage with your brand but also empowers them to seamlessly incorporate your products into their design plans. 

The Bottom Line

Product information sheets play a key role in the early stages of product selection, acting as one of the first point of contact between your products and AEC professionals evaluating potential solutions for a project. However, to move from initial interest to formal specification, manufacturers must provide detailed, well-structured 3-part specifications.

Need help creating or managing your 3-part specifications? Our expert team at CADdetails is here to help you keep your design content current and project-ready.

Learn more about our Technical Service Programs here.

Cover image by Spacejoy on Unsplash