SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, Thomas H. Denig, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 

     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.


                                        /s/ Thomas H. Denig
                                        ------------------------------------

STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared Thomas H. Denig, known to me
to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged to
me that he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho 


                                          
                             SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, Robert B. Findlay, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 
     
     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.

                                        
                                        /s/ Robert B. Findlay
                                        ------------------------------------

STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared Robert B. Findlay, known to me
to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged to
me that he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho


                             SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, Joyce A. Godwin, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 

     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.


                                        /s/ Joyce A. Godwin
                                        ------------------------------------

STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared Joyce A. Godwin, known to me
to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged to
me that he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho


                             SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, J. L. Scott, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 

     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.


                                        /s/  J. L. Scott
                                        ------------------------------------

STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared J. L. Scott, known to me to be
the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged to me that
he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho


                             SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, Jerre L. Stead, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 
     
     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.

                                        
                                        /s/ Jerre L. Stead
                                        ------------------------------------

STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared Jerre L. Stead, known to me to
be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged to me
that he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho


                             SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, Harold E. Thomas, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 

     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.


                                        /s/ Harold E. Thomas
                                        ------------------------------------

STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared Harold E. Thomas, known to me
to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged to
me that he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho



                             SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, Steven C. Wheelwright, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 
    
     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.

                                        
                                        /s/ Steven C. Wheelwright
                                        ------------------------------------

STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared Steven C. Wheelwright, known
to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and
acknowledged to me that he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho


                             SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                          
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, William J. White, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 

     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.

                                        
                                        /s/ William J. White
                                        ------------------------------------


STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared William J. White, known to me
to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged to
me that he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho



                             SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:  That I, Arthur L. Troutner, have made,
constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint
either the Chairman of the Board or the President of TJ International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, my true and lawful attorney in my name, place and stead,
and for my use and benefit as follows: 

     -    For the special purpose of signing the Company's Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 to be filed with the Securities and
          Exchange Commission on or before April 3, 1998, and

     -    For the special purpose of signing all such Forms S-8 as the Company
          may be required to file pursuant to SEC regulations.

and to sign, seal, execute, deliver and acknowledge such instruments in writing
of whatever kind and nature as may be necessary or proper in the premises. 

     I HEREBY give and grant unto said attorney full power and authority to do
and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be
done, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally
present, and hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney shall lawfully do
or cause to be done by virtue of these presents. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of
February, 1998.

                                        
                                        /s/ Arthur L. Troutner
                                        ------------------------------------

STATE OF Idaho 

County of Ada

     On this 13th day of February, 1998, before me, the undersigned, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared Arthur L. Troutner, known to
me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and acknowledged
to me that he executed the same.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. 


                                        /s/ Patricia K. Stiburek
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Notary Public for the State of Idaho
                                        Residing at Boise, Idaho