Product Overview. Versa-Stud® laminated veneer lumber (LVL) framing is engineered to deliver strong, stiff, straight walls, resulting in a solid feel, smooth surface, and high-quality finish.
Is LVL stronger than wood?
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 is an LVL wall?
Vertically laminated veneer lumber (LVL) panels are made from “peeler logs” in the same production lines as LVL beams. Engineered to precise design values and with a very high strength-to-weight ratio, LVL panels are suitable for structural wall, floor and roof applications.
What does LVL mean in construction?
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.What is LVL made of?
What is LVL? LVL is part of a family of products, structural composite lumber (SCL), that are made of dried and graded wood veneers, strands or flakes that are layered upon one another and bonded together with a moisture resistant adhesive into large blocks known as billets.
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.
Is glulam the same as LVL?
LVL refers to a manufactured timber product made from thin veneers (often 3mm) glued together to form large structural members, often known as Hyspan or similiar. Glulam is made from thicker sections of timber, generally 15-45mm thick, glued together to form a large variety of products.
Where are LVL beams made?
The main raw material used to produce LVL is wood veneer of various grades and it has been used structurally for several years in Northern America and in many European countries. At present, there is only one manufacturer of LVL in Australia – Wesbeam!What size does LVL come in?
LVL is available in lengths up to 24.4 m (80 ft), while more common lengths are 14.6 m (48 ft), 17 m (56 ft), 18.3 m (60 ft) and 20.1 m (66 ft). LVL can easily be cut to length at the jobsite. All special cutting, notching or drilling should be done in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
Can you use LVL for framing?MT-LVL E12 is now available in cross sectional sizes of 90×35 and 90×45 for wall and general framing applications. With all the stability and dimensional benefits of LVL it means you can spend less time straightening walls… and more time relaxing.
Article first time published onWhat are LVL panels?
LVL (laminated veneer lumber) panels are made of cross-bonded Kerto® LVL, meaning that one fifth of the veneers are glued crosswise. Strong and rigid Kerto® LVL panels are dimensionally stable, they do not warp or twist. LVL panels provide great workability, they are easy to fasten, nail and drill.
What are LVL studs?
In addition to being flat and straight, engineered studs are strong. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) studs can be two times stronger in compression and tension than standard framing lumber of the same dimension. Recently I built a home with all LVL studs for a client who wanted the home to withstand wind and shear loads.
Are LVL beams treated?
With LVL now being offered with pressure treatment, it is approved for outdoor decks. This offers the professional deck builder the ability to eliminate the waviness that can occur in traditional lumber framed decks.
How long do LVL beams come?
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.
What is the strongest engineered wood beam?
Power Beam® – 3000Fb – 2.1E – 300F Power Beam® is the strongest engineered wood product (EWP) on the market with design values of 3000Fb – 2.1E – 300Fv.
Is an LVL stronger than a glulam?
It has been likened to laminated veneer lumber (LVL) as they are both similar in strength, although glulam offers wider design possibilities because of its aesthetics and a higher level of finish quality.
How much does a 20 foot glulam beam cost?
Glulam beams cost $6 to $34 per linear foot on average.
Can LVL beams be drilled?
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.
Do LVL beams sag?
Your wood/LVL will sag much more. What you are describing is ultra typical when there is a point load above and they used LVL. I don’t know why cities keep allowing the use of LVL for anything more than 10 feet. It will look great and then year 2-3 it starts sagging… year 4-5 you get cracks and notice it…
How big of a beam do I need to span 20 feet?
Wood beam size for a 20 foot span:- as per general thumb rule, for a 20 foot span, size of wood beam or lumber joist should be 2×14 which placed at 16″ apart from centre used for residential building or projects or construction in which depth of section of beam is 350mm (14″) and width of beam is 50 mm or 2″.
Do you glue LVL beams together?
With wooden LVL beams, you must use extremely adhesive glue; not using strong enough glue will cause your wooden structures to collapse. … Press and hold the LVL beams together to secure them. The glue is incredibly strong, but it might take 30 minutes to an hour to bond heavy LVL beams together.
How are LVL beams sized?
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.
Are LVL beams true to size?
Paul Fisette responds: First of all, LVL is also sold in depths of 7 1/4, 9 1/4, and 11 1/4 inches to match standard stick-framing sizes. … However, LVL is also available in nonstandard sizes like 9 1/2 and 11 7/8 inches all the way up to 24 inches deep.
How wide is a 14 LVL?
Weight89.60 lbsDimensions1.75 × 14 × 168 inThickness1-3/4″Width14″Length14′
What does an LVL beam do?
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. … Due to its composite nature, it is much less likely than conventional lumber to warp, twist, bow, or shrink.
Who invented LVL?
The main raw material used to produce LVL is wood veneer of various grades (wood species and mixtures thereof differ from manufacturer to manufacturer). Term “LVL” was introduced in 1960s by Wayerhauser (US company) who had developed this product and launched the first LVL production line ever.
What are some of the benefits of LVL?
- The Strength of Steel. …
- Consistency Means No Surprises. …
- Lightweight for Safer, Easier Handing. …
- Better Cost Control. …
- Longer Lengths for Bigger Spans. …
- Sustainably-Managed Timber is One of the Most Environmentally Friendly Materials Available.
Is LVL straight?
“LVL is structurally strong and straight, which places it as a frontrunner immediately.
How much does LVL weight per foot?
Weight of LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)↓1/4 inch9-1/4″1 inch0.07 lbs2.631-3/4″0.13 lbs4.613-1/2″0.25 lbs9.22
Can LVL lumber be painted?
NelsonPine LVL billets in standard thicknesses come with an industrial type finish that can have normal timber paint and stain systems satisfactorily applied to them. Enhancement of the visual appearance and coating adhesion can be achieved by relatively coarse sanding the surface prior to the first coat.
Can you use LVL timber outside?
LVL/LGL manufacturers only endorse the use of 17C (Pine H3) Beams in weather exposed applications if they have a full penetration treatment are painted, faced with sheeting in sun exposure & the end/top capped. … Therefore, unpainted or unprotected LVL/LGL Beams, are unsuitable for weather exposed projects.
