LVL beams

[Aaron1971]

Hey guys,
Does anyone know much about LVL beams?
I am building a high set deck and would like to use a one piece of hardwood measuring 8 metres in length as my bearer. Two required.
I have sent requests for quotes through a few local timber suppliers and all of them suggest that I an LVL beam. I know how they are put together but I don't really know if they are any good.

Anyone used them?

[ian]

One of the issues for your timber suppliers will be sourcing a piece of structural hardwood 8m long.
What cross section are you after?

an LVL will have adequate strength for the application -- sorry, but I can't help with how well they perform out doors

[marri334]

they are plenty strong enough but are generally not outdoor suitable you may be able to coat them with something as a preservative ,spanning 8 metres they will be fairly chunky.people have told me they put bondcrete in with paint and it preserves for years but i have no practical experience myself cheers steve

[Repco]

Hello,

LVL's are great as a consealed structural member. Exposed however . . . . It is possible to purchase H3 treated LVL however they are still only veneered timber. My suggestion would be using either a H3 treated GL13 or GL17 beam. These are also engineered timber however they wont swell like LVL. GL17 is the strongest structural pine product available so getting something to span will not be an issue.

Cheers.

[Manuka Jock]

Aaron , head over to the Small Timber Milling (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f132/)forum , one of the guys there may be able to source the beams that you want .

[ian]

Aaron
if you settle on using a glue laminated beam, I suggest you read this data sheet http://www.lamtim.com.au/gltaa.pdf

[weisyboy]

I would never use any laminated or engineered beam in a construction.

glue can only last so long.

i have replaced 5 Hardwood LVL beams where the glue has let go or teh beam has simply not been strong enough.

a beam made from 1.2m long lengths of 3x1 1/2 cannot possibly be as strong as a single piece of timber.

they are now using those hyne I beams witch are the most ridiculous thing i have ever seen. two 3 x 1 1/2 s and a bit of plywood cant be strong enought for anything.

[wuzatrewunce]

Hi, my son works for a hard wood timber mill in Mundubbera west of Bundaberg they should be able to cut this size timber. Sorry I do not have the phone number of the mill but look up the white pages on the computer for Dale and Meyers timber mill in Mindubbera in QLD.

Hope this helps.:)
Wuzatrewunce.

[Repco]

I would never use any laminated or engineered beam in a construction.

glue can only last so long.

i have replaced 5 Hardwood LVL beams where the glue has let go or teh beam has simply not been strong enough.

a beam made from 1.2m long lengths of 3x1 1/2 cannot possibly be as strong as a single piece of timber.

they are now using those hyne I beams witch are the most ridiculous thing i have ever seen. two 3 x 1 1/2 s and a bit of plywood cant be strong enought for anything.


The Glue used in GL beams is an A Type glue, the same as used in Marine Ply. The Hardwood LVL was never intended to be used outside as they are not made from a dura 1 or 2 feed stock. These would have swelled and turned to rubbish and never should have been used outside.

The GL17 is the strongest piece of softwood available and a product called a GL21 Hardwood is the strongest piece of timber in existance. check out the Hyne or GLTAA websites.

Hyne I-beams are intended to be used mainly as floor joists. The 360-90 I-Beam can span in excess of 7 metres, show a piece of hardwood which can do that.

Engineered timber is the future of construction. Victorian F17 producers are in all sorts of trouble because Wesbeam has started producing an LVL equivilliant. It's cheaper, lighter, straighter and available in up to 12 metres long.

[weisyboy]

The Glue used in GL beams is an A Type glue, the same as used in Marine Ply. The Hardwood LVL was never intended to be used outside as they are not made from a dura 1 or 2 feed stock. These would have swelled and turned to rubbish and never should have been used outside.

The GL17 is the strongest piece of softwood available and a product called a GL21 Hardwood is the strongest piece of timber in existance. check out the Hyne or GLTAA websites.

Hyne I-beams are intended to be used mainly as floor joists. The 360-90 I-Beam can span in excess of 7 metres, show a piece of hardwood which can do that.

Engineered timber is the future of construction. Victorian F17 producers are in all sorts of trouble because Wesbeam has started producing an LVL equivilliant. It's cheaper, lighter, straighter and available in up to 12 metres long.

none of the beams i have replaced were used outside. all were inside houses supporting roof trusses or under second story floors.

a GL21 and a gl17 are not pieces of timber.

we have 8x2 hardwood beams supporting our roof they span 6.5m supported at each end.


its all well and good untill everyones houses start falling down.