What does LVL in lumber stand for?
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is one of the most widely used engineered wood products for constructional applications. It is a composite product manufactured from multiple thin layers of veneer that are aligned with the length of the finished lumber.
Where to buy LVL lumber?
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Is LVL stronger than wood?
LVL has a “maximum allowable bending stress” of 2,800 or 3,000 psi. And according to this source, most wood has a maximum bending stress of about half that. So, yes. LVL beams will bear more weight than the same size wood beam. But that isn’t the most important thing in building construction. Other important factors are
What is the difference between LVL and glulam?
This report segments the Global Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) Market on the basis of the following types: On the basis of application, the global Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) market is segmented into: This report also divides the market by region: Breakdown data in Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
What is the main difference between plywood and LVL?
In general, LVL production is similar to that of structural plywood; however, the main difference between the two products is the grain orientation of each veneer.
Can LVL timber be used outside?
Laminated veneered lumber provides uniform widths and strength, as well as the elimination of shrinkage and twisting typically found in traditionally milled, forest-grown wood lumber. With LVL now being offered with pressure treatment, it is approved for outdoor decks.09-Jan-2020
Is LVL stronger than dimensional lumber?
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) studs can provide ultimate strength against wind and shear-loads and can be up to two and a half times stronger than standard framing lumber of the same dimension in compression and tension, which means a wood-framed house can be designed and constructed to withstand 100 mph or more .
What can LVL be used for?
LVL is suitable for use as beams, trusses, planks and rafters. When cross-bonded for increased stiffness it can be used to form wall and floor panels with load-bearing capacity. While frequently used solely as a concealed structural component of a building, finished appearance grades are also used.
Do termites eat LVL?
Infestation with termites is usually not a problem for plywood and LVL provided the application does not involve ground contact and other good building practices have been correctly implemented through appropriate design and construction practices as well as ongoing inspection and maintenance.
How much does a LVL beam cost?
LVL beams cost on average $3 to $12 per linear foot for the material or $50 to $200 per foot installed. LVL beams are more cost-effective and durable than regular wood beams. LVL beams are fire-resistant, shrink-proof, and easy to install, especially in long spans.11-Jan-2022
Can you drill through a LVL?
Whenever possible, avoid drilling vertical holes through LVL beams unless the beam width is at least 3-1/2 inches. Prior to drilling any vertical holes, an engineer or architect qualified in wood design should be consulted.
Is GLULAM the same as LVL?
A glulam beam looks like a stack of 2 x 4s (or larger lumber) glued together on their broadsides. This is in contrast to other engineered members, such as LVL (laminated veneer lumber) and Microlam beams, which look like very thick plywood, with very thin layers of wood glued together to form a thicker mass.25-Jun-2019
How do I know what size LVL beam I need?
Design a beam width based on the fact that the typical width of an LVL beam is 1 3/4 inches. The width can be increased by laminating in multiples of 1 3/4 inches. Beam width should be 1/4 to 1/3 beam depth.
What size does LVL come in?
Sizes may vary according to manufacturer but Georgia Pacific says LVL standard thicknesses are 1 3/4 inches and 3 1/2 inches. Lengths are generally available in 24, 28, 32, 36, 40 and 44 feet with special orders of up to 60 feet.29-May-2020
Do LVL beams shrink?
LVL offers several advantages over typical milled lumber: Made in a factory under controlled specifications, it is stronger, straighter, and more uniform. Due to its composite nature, it is much less likely than conventional lumber to warp, twist, bow, or shrink.
How far can a triple LVL span?
Due to its strength, an LVL beam can span up to 60 feet and is much stronger than traditional lumber. Generally, you can find LVL beams in 4-foot increments starting at 24 feet and going up to 44 feet long, with special orders up to 60 feet. LVL beam thickness is usually between 1 ¾ and 7 inches.28-Sept-2021
What is LVL lumber?
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is one of the most widely used engineered wood products for constructional applications. It is a composite product manufactured from multiple thin layers of veneer that are aligned with the length of the finished lumber. This fact sheet summarizes basic manufacturing steps, advantages and disadvantages of LVL compared to other structural engineered wood-based products.
What is laminated veneer lumber?
Laminated veneer lumber is a versatile wood-based product. Together with plywood, lumber or oriented strand board (OSB), LVL can be used for many structural applications. Some of the most popular uses of LVL include I-joists, header, rimboards, truck bed decking, roadway signpost, beam, truss, special applications such as skateboards, ...
Why is LVL produced in different shapes?
Because it is manufactured with homogeneous quality that has a minimum number of defects or even distribution of defects, mechanical properties of the final product can be predicted. In general, LVL can be produced in different shapes depending on for what it will be used.
What is the loose side of veneer?
The side of the veneer next to the knife-edge is called the loose side, while the other side is called the tight side. There are many fine cracks on the loose side of veneer due to lathe checks running parallel to the grain. Figure 1. Rotary peeling veneer production.
How long does it take for a veneer to peel?
Rotary peeling veneer production. A bolt, which is a short log depending on its diameters, may take 5 to 10 seconds to peel before its core is discharged and the charger is ready for the next cycle.
What happens if you leave defects on a veneer?
Even if defects are left on each veneer sheet, random distribution of such defects during veneer assembly will make the final products more uniform and strength properties comparable to that of high-grade lumber.
What is the raw material for LVL?
Douglas fir is the most commonly used raw material for LVL manufacture, in addition to Yellow poplar, Southern pine and other softwoods in the United States. Radiata pine and rubberwood are extensively used in New Zealand and Southeast Asian countries, respectively.
What is laminated veneer lumber used for?
The laminated veneer lumber is very useful for making beams and Rafters. LVL has been used for this since long ago. Beams and Rafters often face bad weather and storms. In this case, it is important to be durable along with withstanding heavyweight.
What is LVL lumber?
February 8, 2021 by James. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is an engineered wood construction product. LVL made of multiple veneer sheets and assembled with waterproof adhesives. It is used in headers, beams, rim boards, truck bed decking, roadway signposts, trusses, and many other applications. LVL is an innovation for the construction fields.
Why is laminated lumber heavier than traditional lumber?
Laminated veneer lumber has more weight than traditional lumber because it does not have a hollow part. It is made of solid veneers. Due to the weight, it can be difficult to work at height.
Why are veneers so strong?
The reason for its great strength is that the veneer sheets used to make it are placed in the longitudinal direction. So that all the wood Fibers of multiple veneers are in one direction and there are no gaps and knots. Each veneer replaces the fibers of the second veneer sheet.
How thick is a veneer sheet?
For LVL production, the thickness of the Veneer sheet is 2.5 mm to 4.8 mm. Manufurare companies have veneer sheets with a thickness of 3.2 mm.
What is LVL wood?
LVL production began in 1941. It was first made from a 3.6 mm thick Sitka spruce veneer. Because of the great demand for LVL, the USDA Forest Products Laboratory did research and development to improve its efficiency. Expert says that Douglas fir wood is a perfect wood for LVL.
What is the drying process for veneers?
Drying process It is very important to the veneers sheets before going to the next process. Many nozzle sprays are used for this hot air is released over the veneers. The thickness of veneers decreases after this process but it is very less.
What is LSL board?
LSL is also made from strands rather than veneer, although the strands are shorter and aligned with less precision than PSL and is created as billets that are like a thick version of oriented strand board. Billets of PSL and LVL are very similar although their sizes are different.
What is LVL used for?
Because it is specifically sized to be compatible with I-joist floor framing, residential builders and building designers like the combination of I-joist and LVL floor and roof assemblies. LVL is considered to be a highly reliable building material that provides many of the same attributes associated with large sized timbers. LVL can also be used in combination with gluelam as an outer gluelam tension lam to increase the strength of the gluelam beam. However, due to the fact that the assembly adhesives limit the penetration of chemicals typically used to treat outdoor-rated lumber, LVL may not be suitable for outdoor load-bearing use. A deck built using pressure-treated LVL collapsed due to internal rotting of the twelve-year-old LVL components, although the LVL beams had passed regular visual inspections. The breakdown of LVL end uses in North America is 33% new single family residential construction, 25% residential renovations and upkeep, 8% new non-residential construction and 34% manufacturing furniture and other products.
What is laminated veneer lumber?
For other uses, see LVL. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is an engineered wood product that uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. It is typically used for headers, beams, rimboard, and edge-forming material.
What is LVL lumber used for?
It is typically used for headers, beams, rimboard, and edge-forming material. LVL offers several advantages over typical milled lumber: Made in a factory under controlled specifications, it is stronger, straighter, and more uniform.
How big is a billet?
Billets of PSL and LVL are very similar although their sizes are different. Billets of PSL can be as large as 12 inches (300 mm) wide and 60 feet (18 m) long while LVL can range up to 4 feet (1.2 m) wide and 80 feet (24 m) long.
How much wood is in LVL?
Although the creation of LVL is often proprietary and thus its make-up is largely dependent on individual manufacturers, in general one cubic meter of North American lumber is composed of 97.54% wood, 2.41% of phenol formaldehyde resin, 0.02% of phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, and 0.03% fillers.
When was Lvl first released?
The 1991 release is the first release which mentions LVL. LVL is mentioned as a subcategory of structural glued laminated timber. The first explorations into engineered lumber happened during World War II in the United States. In 1942, an increased demand for wood caused a sudden timber shortage.
Do LVL Beams Sag?
A properly sized engineered LVL Beam will have some deflection by nature, but if properly built and installed with crowning up, the deflection makes the beam true and level.
Is LVL Stronger than Dimensional Lumber?
Dimensional lumber in today’s market is grown quicker with wider spaced growth rings and is not as strong as it once was. Engineered LVL lumber is made in a factory and is robust, straight, and more uniform than dimensional lumber. The days of crooked and warped lumber are in the past.
Are LVL Beams a Good Choice?
LVL beams are a high-quality building product that is an excellent choice for most modern homes.
How to Fasten LVL Beams Together?
Building LVL beams on the job site require specific fasteners to connect the layers making up the LVL beam. This type of LVL beam is commonly referred to as a Glulam beam. When putting together sawn lumber, it is vital to find each board’s crown or direction of the bend. Finding the bend will help you match and put together the layers properly.
Can You Notch an LVL Beam?
Although you can, cutting or notching an LVL beam is not recommended by most manufacturers. Check with the LVL manufacturer, and they should have technical specs on proper notching if approved. It is recommended never to notch the tension side of the beam.
How to Finish an LVL Beam?
If a beam is cut, the cut end needs a coat of sealant to protect it from added moisture. LVL beams are engineered to be in a covered location and not exposed to the living area. If you have an exposed LVL beam and want to finish it, you can always cover it with 1x cedar or pine to give it a natural look.
Should You Handle or Store LVL Beams Differently?
LVL beams are similar to traditional wood beams in that you should keep them wrapped to protect from the weather and use stickers to separate bundles. To preserve the LVL beams from water damage, we recommend that you store the LVL material at least 12 inches off the ground.
How thick is microllam?
Beginning at 1 3/4 inches thick and ranging from 5 1/2 inches to 18 inches deep, Microllam is a dependable workhorse LVL that covers many needs. Double up a short, shallow piece of Microllam for a rock-steady door header or double up a deeper, longer board for a room beam.
What is VersaLam used for?
This also means that VersaLam is your best bet for obtaining LVL if you are a residential consumer rather than a contractor with inside buying connections. VersaLam is found in the catalog of a number of home improvement centers. VersaLam works well for beams, headers, studs, joists, staircase stringers, and rimboards.
Do home centers have LVL beams?
However, some of the large home centers have LVLs in their catalog, available for special order. If you need an LVL beam now, your local, independent lumber yard likely will have a few basic LVL sizes in-stock. 01 of 04.
Can you make laminated wood from scratch?
A builder or do-it-yourselfer can create a rudimentary type of laminated structural wood from scratch. The method is to layer up ordinary store-bought two-by-tens or two-by-twelves to shoulder the load. But LVLs do the same—and more—in a sleeker form, and usually at reasonable prices.
Conventional lumber
Traditional, solid sawn lumber or conventional lumber is still very popular among builders – primarily because of their familiarity with the product.
When should I use conventional lumber?
If you’re still in the research stage and wondering how to shave a bit off the budget, you should consider using conventional lumber. However, conventional lumber differs in terms of quality and appearance with respect to knots, the slope of grain, shakes and other characteristics.
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
Laminated Veneer Lumber is created using multiple layers of thin wood which is bonded together with heavy-duty glue.
When should I use LVL?
Laminated Veneer Lumber is ideal for a variety of uses inside the home, especially when it comes to maintaining a structure.
What is the difference between LVL and conventional lumber?
This not only makes the product stronger, but more durable than conventional lumber.
What is laminated veneer lumber used for?
Laminated Veneer Lumber is ideal for a variety of uses inside the home, especially when it comes to maintaining a structure. This includes everything from rafters, headers, lintels, purlins, roof trusses, and formwork – in addition to window frames and steps.
What is laminated veneer?
Laminated Veneer Lumber is created using multiple layers of thin wood which is bonded together with heavy-duty glue. Because of the strength of the glue, engineered lumber is more stable and resistant to common problems like rot, termite infestation and mould.
Is solid sawn lumber still popular?
Traditional, solid sawn lumber or conventional lumber is still very popular among builders – primarily because of their familiarity with the product. One of the great things about conventional lumber is that you can buy dimensional lumber and have it cut to your specific measurements.
Is engineered lumber good for construction?
While there are many excellent natural lumber options, engineered lumber, like LVL, has a number of benefits that builders and contractors should consider prior to construction planning.
Lvl Production
Lvl Versatility
- Laminated veneer lumber is a versatile wood-based product. Together with plywood, lumber or oriented strand board (OSB), LVL can be used for many structural applications. Some of the most popular uses of LVL include I-joists, header, rimboards, truck bed decking, roadway signpost, beam, truss, special applications such as skateboards, and custom-ma...
Advantages
- Major advantages of LVL include its dimension, shape, high strength properties and low cost. The size of LVL is not limited by log size, due to its manufacturing method. LVL is one of the strongest wood-based construction materials relative to its density. Because it is manufactured with homogeneous quality that has a minimum number of defects or even distribution of defects, me…
Disadvantages
- Conversely, LVL has several disadvantages as wood composites. Enhancement of strength properties of LVL by densification of veneer during the press is very limited. Although its dimensional stability is better than solid wood, the product may result in some defect, such as warping, if it is not properly stored in the warehouse. Also, LVL requires high capital investment t…
Further Information
- Detailed information about LVL manufacturing and its properties also can be found in the following literature: Smulski, S. (Ed.) (1997). Engineered Wood Products. PFS Research Foundation: Madison, Wisconsin. Bowyer, J., Smulsky, R., & Haygreen, J. (2007). Forest Products and Wood Science. Blackwell Publishing: Boston, Massachusetts. Baldwin,R. (1995). Plywood a…
Overview
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is an engineered wood product that uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. It is typically used for headers, beams, rimboard, and edge-forming material. LVL offers several advantages over typical milled lumber: Made in a factory under controlled specifications, it is stronger, straighter, and more uniform. Due to its composite nature, it is much …
History
Structural composite lumber products, including LVL, are a relatively recent innovation. They are the result of new technology and economic pressure to make use of new species and smaller trees that cannot be used to make solid sawn lumber. While plywood became widespread by the early 20th century, the invention of LVL was not until the 1980s after the invention of oriented strand board. The American Wood Council's National Design Specification for Wood Constructio…
Qualities
Laminated veneer lumber is similar in appearance to plywood, although in plywood the veneers switch direction while stacking and in LVL the veneers all stack in the same direction. In LVL, the direction of the wood grain is always parallel to the length of the billet. The stacking of these veneers into a complete board, called a billet, creates a single piece of LVL sharing a common direction of wood grain. LVL is typically rated by the manufacturer for elastic modulus and allow…
Manufacturing
LVL is commonly manufactured in North America by companies that also manufacture I-joists. LVL is manufactured to sizes compatible with the depth of I-joist framing members for use as beams and headers. Additionally, some manufacturers further cut LVL into sizes for use as chord-members on I-joists. In 2012, North American LVL manufacturers produced more than 1.2 million cubic metres (43.4 million cubic feet) of LVL in 18 different facilities, and in 2013 the productio…
Use
Because it is specifically sized to be compatible with I-joist floor framing, residential builders and building designers like the combination of I-joist and LVL floor and roof assemblies. LVL is considered to be a highly reliable building material that provides many of the same attributes associated with large sized timbers. LVL can also be used in combination with gluelam as an outer gluelam tension lam to increase the strength of the gluelam beam. However, due to the fa…
Structural composite lumber
LVL belongs to the category of engineered wood called structural composite lumber. Other members of this category are parallel strand lumber (PSL) and laminated strand lumber (LSL). All members of this category are strong and predictable, and are thus interchangeable for some applications. PSL is made from veneers that are cut up into long strands and oriented parallel to its length before being compressed into its final shape. LSL is also made from strands rather th…
See also
• Cross-laminated timber
• Homasote
• Papercrete
• Parallel strand lumber
External links
• "Deck Collapse Conclusions"