How is laminated timber produced, where is it used, and what is its approximate cost??

Glulam, another name for laminated timber, is a strong, adaptable building material that is created by gluing layers of dimensional lumber together with powerful adhesives. Compared to their conventional solid wood counterparts, the beams and columns produced by this process are stronger and more stable. In order to create structural elements of various sizes and shapes, pieces of timber are carefully chosen and arranged before being bonded together under pressure. This process produces glulam.

Laminated wood’s strength-to-weight ratio is one of its main advantages; this makes it perfect for structural applications where strength and lightness are essential. It can be applied to many different types of construction projects, such as residential and commercial structures as well as bridges. Because it can span large distances without sagging and still maintain structural integrity, glulam is highly valued by architects and engineers for its ability to provide flexibility in design.

The type of wood used, the size and complexity of the components, and the manufacturing process are some of the variables that can affect the price of laminated timber. Because glulam requires specific production techniques and quality control to ensure strength and durability, it is typically more expensive than traditional solid timber. Nonetheless, its durability and efficacy frequently outweigh the initial outlay, particularly in applications where its distinct qualities provide noteworthy benefits.

Production Features

Glued laminated wood is the end result of pressing and gluing wood at a specific temperature. consists of boards, or lamellas, that are nailed either vertically or horizontally.

This is actually one of the profiled wood types with glued components. mostly made from coniferous wood, such as cedar, pine, and spruce. Seldom are larch and fir used for this reason.

The hardest part of sawn wood, the core, is used in the technology used to produce laminated veneer lumber in order to create lamellas.

The components that are left give the house strength and resistance against changes in temperature. Usually, waste from the wood processing sector is put to use in manufacturing when needless boards are rejected.

In special chambers, the lamellas are dried before final gluing and processing. This ensures that, even after the house is put together, the wood will maintain its geometric dimensions.

A building constructed of laminated veneer lumber nearly never shrinks, at 1-2% as opposed to 15% for profiled timber with natural humidity.

Lamellas are milled at the ends to provide a stronger bending connection. This characteristic is employed in the building of non-standardly shaped wooden structures.

Fascinating! You can construct innovative technological structures with laminated veneer lumber. For instance, a bridge house that spans a sizable ravine in Canada is constructed from massive beams.

Laminated veneer lumber production is governed by the following standards:

1. GOST 8486-86 “Softwood lumber”.
2. GOST 24454-80 “Softwood lumber. Dimensions".
3. GOST 20850-84 “Glued wood structures”.

Varieties and types

Glued laminated wood is available in different varieties based on its size, shape, kind of connection, and intended use.

Therefore, straight boards are used for standard wall construction, while curved products can be used for arches and bay windows.

By number of composite boards

There are also numerous product types that vary based on the number of lamellas:

• Double-lamella. Used for the manufacture of non-load-bearing structures.
• Three-lamella. Typically used to build gazebos and barbecue areas.
• Four-lamella. A similar section of timber is used for the construction of bathhouses and country houses. Able to withstand low temperatures down to -15 degrees.
• Five-lamellar. With a cross-section of at least 200 mm – used for the construction of country cottages and winter houses. Able to withstand temperatures from -25 to +40 degrees.
• Six-lamella. Used in very cold or very hot regions of the country with low temperatures down to -60 degrees.

Finnish is a high-quality option. It is distinguished by having three boards, two of which have their core sides facing outward to boost operational strength and prevent cracking.

By type of gluing

Therefore, it can be divided into three categories based on the technology used to connect the lamellas:

• with vertical gluing;
• horizontal;
• combined (salon).

For the first method to connect the boards, teeth are a prerequisite. This joining technique allows you to obtain bars of any length.

The second option is far more dependable than the vertical method because gravity and the pressure from the upper boards strengthen the glued parts even more. The purpose of this kind of fastening is to make the final product thicker.

A number of blocks of boards adhered to one another in both vertical and horizontal planes make up the third variety of laminated veneer lumber. The approach makes the assumption that there are smaller components that are first connected to one another via the first technology and then through the second.

Crucial! Make sure the fibers of adjacent lamellas are perpendicular to one another before gluing. This configuration will lessen the likelihood of the final product deforming.

By profile type

Unique tenon grooves allow glued profiled beams to be joined together. Two categories are distinguished based on this:

• "Comb". Rectangular grooves ensure secure fastening. The disadvantage of the “comb” is that fitting the beams together can take a long time if the manufacturing technology has not been followed.
• Scandinavian version. Includes a special groove with a recess in the central part. This timber profile is convenient because insulation can be laid inside it. It is heat-saving, which is beneficial for cold regions of the Russian Federation.

Dimensions and purpose

GOST 24454 specifies that the beams’ dimensions are set in law. A typical product’s length is between 6 and 12 meters, and its cross-section is between 75 and 360 millimeters.

The region of construction determines which particular parameter to use. Lumber with a cross-section of at least 300 mm is needed for winter construction in the country’s north, 200 mm in central Russia, and 150 mm in the south.

The thermal conductivity of wood decreases with thickness, while its strength and resistance to frost increase.

An illustration of product dimensions for a rural home:

• 150×165;
• 200×200;
• 150×150;
• 100×100;
• 190×165;
• 230×165;
• 150×210;
• 190×210;
• 230×210;
• 145×195.

The product’s front side can have a curved D- or O-shaped shape, or it can be square with right corners.

Strangenesses! Typically, structures like gazebos and arches are constructed using boards having a cross section as large as 120 mm.

Depending on its intended use, laminated veneer lumber is employed in the building of

1. Load-bearing walls. The standard thickness of the timber must be at least 140 mm.
2. Partitions. With a board thickness of at least 100 mm.
3. Window and door openings. The cross-section of the timber depends on where the opening is located.

Pros and cons of wooden material

Among the benefits are:

• Minimal shrinkage of a wooden house. Usually its value is no more than 4 cm.
• The ability to leave internal or external walls without finishing. This achieves savings on building materials.
• Quick installation of the building frame.
• It is better to breathe in such a house. It is environmentally friendly.
• Absence of large visible cracks on the outside of the building, as is usually the case when building a log house from logs or solid timber.
• You will not need to caulk such a house, or use dowels for uniform shrinkage of the building, which is inevitable when constructing a standard wooden cottage.
• Modern adhesives for connecting lamellas are not phenolic, but environmentally friendly. Therefore, you should not be afraid of glued timber.
• Good design harmonizes with the surrounding nature.

Minuses:

• You can’t do without insulation of such a house. Will it require cladding on the outside or inside?.
• High cost of construction and materials themselves.
• Without forced-exhaust ventilation, the feeling in a building can be like in a “steam room”.
• It"s difficult to find a good manufacturer. Typically, standard Finnish technology uses wood from the core of a spruce or pine trunk, but many Russian companies skimp on quality by using unsuitable trimmings.
• Delamination of lamellas when purchasing low-quality glued material.
• The monotony of the interior decoration of the walls and ceiling of the house can be depressing after a certain amount of time.

Watch this video to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of laminated veneer lumber:

Reviews

Users point out that supply and exhaust ventilation will be needed in a building constructed of wood if the lumber was chosen with vertically glued lamellas. There is no need for ventilation because the material will be able to breathe due to the horizontal connection of the individual boards.

Such houses also have issues with small pests (bugs or rodents) and cracks at the ends of the beams.

Actually, though, this is an issue with any wooden structure. It can be resolved by using the siding that covers the building’s exterior, applying specific impregnations, and using protective agents to keep moisture out.

Citation! If you construct some plasterboard and some wood for the room walls, you can solve the problem without having a monotonous finish. Alternatively use distinct décor for the living room and bedroom.

More reviews are available to read here, here, and here.

Average prices in Russia per cubic meter

The size and kind of wood have an impact on the price of a specific timber. What is the average cost of lumber?

• Standard product parameters for load-bearing walls: 190*200 or 185*200, 200*200. Pine – costs from 18,500 rubles per cubic meter or per m 3 .
• A higher pine product will cost 20,000 rubles/cube.m.

The cost is also influenced by the type or material of wood. The cost of cedar is roughly double that of pine. Pine and spruce are roughly equal in price.

The type of wood has an impact on the price as well. Compared to basic varieties 0-1, elite options are at least three times more expensive.

Glulam, another name for laminated wood, is made by applying pressure and adhesives to layers of solid wood. Its strength and stability are increased by this process, which makes it perfect for structural uses in construction, like beams, columns, and arches. Because of its durability and aesthetic value, laminated timber is frequently utilized in environmentally friendly construction projects. It generally offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional solid wood or steel structures, combining durability with architectural versatility. Costs vary depending on factors like size, type of wood, and project specifications.

Photo

View the laminated timber photo below:

Layers of solid wood are bonded together using high-strength adhesives to create laminated wood, sometimes referred to as engineered wood or glulam. Compared to traditional timber, this construction method strengthens and increases the dimensional stability of the wood by maintaining its structural integrity.

The adaptability of laminated wood in construction is one of its main advantages. In construction projects where strength and durability are crucial, like large-span structures like bridges, industrial buildings, and even residential homes, it is extensively utilized. Laminated timber is a material of choice for architects and engineers looking for creative design solutions because it can be fabricated into unique shapes and sizes.

Laminated wood typically costs between those of traditional solid wood and steel or concrete substitutes. Because of the manufacturing process involved, it may initially cost more than regular timber, but in most cases, the long-term advantages outweigh the initial outlay. It is an affordable option for many construction applications due to its affordability and resistance to warping or twisting, which can eventually result in lower maintenance costs.

Video on the topic

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