Question 1

What is LVL?

Accepted Answer

LVL (laminated veneer lumber) is an engineered structural timber product made from thin wood veneers (3-4mm thick) bonded together with structural adhesive, with all grain directions running parallel to the beam length. Unlike glulam (which is made from sawn timber boards), LVL uses rotary-peeled veneers - the log is turned against a blade that peels a continuous sheet of veneer, which is then dried, graded, and laminated into large billets that are sawn to finished sizes. The rotary-peeling process distributes natural defects (knots, resin pockets) more evenly through the material than solid timber or glulam, resulting in a product with very consistent and predictable structural properties. LVL is typically stronger and stiffer than glulam of the same cross-section, with lower moisture content, less natural movement, and a very flat surface that makes it easier to work with and connect to. Major brand names include Kerto (Metsawood), Wesbeam, and Hyspan.

Question 2

What is LVL used for in construction?

Accepted Answer

LVL is used across a wide range of structural applications: beams and lintels in residential construction (window and door lintels, structural beams in extensions and loft conversions, ridge beams); rim boards and header joists at the perimeter of timber floor systems; flanges (the top and bottom chords) of engineered I-joists; scaffold planks (LVL scaffold boards are stronger, lighter, and more consistent than solid timber planks); structural components in timber frame housing (sole plates, top plates, structural headers); curved members (LVL can be press-formed into curves during manufacture, like glulam but achieving more precise geometries); and industrial applications requiring consistent structural performance. In residential construction, LVL is most commonly encountered as a beam or lintel - either a single LVL section or two or three sections bolted together to increase load capacity. It is typically specified by a structural engineer for beam applications and ordered to cut size from a timber merchant or frame manufacturer.

Question 3

How does LVL compare to glulam?

Accepted Answer

LVL versus glulam: LVL is manufactured from rotary-peeled veneers (3-4mm thick) while glulam is manufactured from sawn laminations (typically 33-45mm thick). LVL typically achieves higher bending strength and stiffness than an equivalent glulam section. LVL has a smoother, more uniform surface than glulam and is dimensionally more stable (lower moisture content and less response to humidity changes). LVL sections are narrower (33-90mm wide) than glulam, which is manufactured in wider sections (typically 90-280mm wide or wider for large commercial beams); multiple LVL sections bolted together are used where greater width is needed. Glulam has a more attractive natural timber appearance and is preferred for exposed structural elements where aesthetics matter - LVL's cross-section shows the veneer layers as parallel lines and is typically not considered suitable for exposed architectural use. Both are structural materials: for hidden beams and lintels where performance matters more than appearance, LVL is generally the preferred choice.

Question 4

What sizes does LVL come in?

Accepted Answer

LVL is available in a range of standard widths (thicknesses of the single laminated panel) and depths, with lengths up to 24 metres available from specialist suppliers. Standard widths include 33mm, 45mm, 51mm, 63mm, 75mm, and 90mm. Standard depths range from 150mm to 600mm in increments of 25mm or 50mm (150, 200, 240, 270, 300, 360, 400, 450, 500, 600mm being the most common). Multiple single-width sections can be bolted together to create a composite beam of greater width - two 45mm sections make a 90mm wide beam, three sections make a 135mm beam. The key advantage of LVL's narrow single-section width is that it can pass through standard door openings and be handled by two people on site, unlike a full-width glulam beam of equivalent structural performance. For domestic extension lintels, 45mm or 63mm wide LVL sections at 200-300mm depth are most commonly used, often doubled or tripled to achieve the required load capacity.

LVL

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