LVL (Laminated Veneered Lumber) is essentially an engineered wood product made from veneers bonded together under heat and pressure. It is manufactured for structural beams which are used for lintels, floor joists, rafters and any structural purpose undercover. All LVL’s at Barwon Timber are tested by the manufacturer and graded according to Australian standards.
LVL is comparable in strength to solid timber, concrete and steel and is considered a sustainable building material.
Barwon Timber offers LVL in a range of sizes and can be ordered in up to 12 metres (subject to transport).
Glulam beams are engineered by bonding multiple layers of carefully graded timber, producing a single, strong, and dimensionally stable beam larger than traditional solid wood. This lamination process significantly enhances structural strength and durability, making glulam beams ideal for use in beams, columns, rafters, and exposed architectural elements. Their versatility and reliability ensure excellent performance in both load-bearing and decorative applications where long spans and aesthetic timber finishes are required.
LVLs are made from rotary-peeled veneers that have been bonded together under heat and pressure into large panels.The bonding agent in these products provides waterproof protection with Phenol-formaldehyde resins being used.
The LVL beams surface is not suitable for weather exposure and water entrapment. Unpainted or unprotected beams are therefore unsuitable in this instance and are not recommended for outdoor installations.
Glulam beams are made by drying and grading boards, then joining them end-to-end with resin to create lamstock. These are layered and glued under high pressure, often using hydraulic presses, until the adhesive cures. The beams can be straight or curved, then planed, cut, and finished to meet design and structural needs.