Glulam: Visible Beauty, Hidden Strength
Glued laminated timber, or glulam, is a highly innovative and versatile construction material engineered for a host of residential and commercial construction applications. Increased design values and improved product performance make this cost competitive material the natural choice for every project from simple beams and headers in residential construction to soaring glulam arches for domed stadium roofs spanning more than 500 feet.
What Is Glulam?
Glulam is composed of individual wood laminations, or “lams”, specifically selected and positioned in the timber, based on their performance characteristics, and bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant adhesives. Glulam is available in depths from 6 to 72 inches or greater and in lengths up to 100 feet and longer.
Unlimited Design Flexibility
The strength and durability of glulam beams make them an ideal choice for large, open designs where long spans are required. Glulam beams can also be manufactured in virtually any size or shape. In fact, Glulam is the only engineered wood product that can be produced in curved shapes.The arched curve profile of the roof of the LeMay Car Museum (pictured at right and above) is one example of the virtually unlimited design flexibility offered by glulam. The glulam members for the project -- currently under construction in Tacoma, Washington -- were manufactured and prefabricated by APA Member American Laminators and the roof structure was designed and erected by Western Wood Structures. View more construction photos.
Glulam has greater strength and stiffness than comparable dimensional lumber and, pound for pound, is stronger than steel. Common uses include purlins, ridge beams, floor beams, headers, complex arches, commercial roof systems, bridges and utility poles. Glulam is available in a range of appearance characteristics to meet end-use requirements
Glued laminated timber, or glulam, is a highly innovative and versatile construction material engineered for a host of residential and commercial construction applications. Increased design values and improved product performance make this cost competitive material the natural choice for every project from simple beams and headers in residential construction to soaring glulam arches for domed stadium roofs spanning more than 500 feet.
What Is Glulam?
Glulam is composed of individual wood laminations, or “lams”, specifically selected and positioned in the timber, based on their performance characteristics, and bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant adhesives. Glulam is available in depths from 6 to 72 inches or greater and in lengths up to 100 feet and longer.
Unlimited Design Flexibility
The strength and durability of glulam beams make them an ideal choice for large, open designs where long spans are required. Glulam beams can also be manufactured in virtually any size or shape. In fact, Glulam is the only engineered wood product that can be produced in curved shapes.The arched curve profile of the roof of the LeMay Car Museum (pictured at right and above) is one example of the virtually unlimited design flexibility offered by glulam. The glulam members for the project -- currently under construction in Tacoma, Washington -- were manufactured and prefabricated by APA Member American Laminators and the roof structure was designed and erected by Western Wood Structures. View more construction photos.
Glulam has greater strength and stiffness than comparable dimensional lumber and, pound for pound, is stronger than steel. Common uses include purlins, ridge beams, floor beams, headers, complex arches, commercial roof systems, bridges and utility poles. Glulam is available in a range of appearance characteristics to meet end-use requirements
Posted by: Tom Clark
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