Laminated Veneer Lumber. By peeling the log into millimetric sheets and hot-pressing them together, all natural defects are eliminated. The result is the highest-performing engineered wood product on the market.
Unlike plywood (crossed sheets), in structural LVL for beams (LVL-P) all fibres are parallel to the longitudinal axis to maximise stiffness.
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) breaks the tree down to rebuild it perfect. Obtained by rotary peeling of the trunk, it transforms logs of modest diameter into beams of very large size and absolute stiffness.
The production process maximises efficiency (65% trunk yield, against 45% for sawn timber). The trunk is peeled into a continuous veneer sheet about 3 mm thick. These sheets, dried and jointed, are stacked, coated with thermosetting adhesive and hot-pressed. By breaking the wood down to a millimetric level, natural defects are dispersed and cancelled out (knots, grain slope), obtaining a homogeneous and highly isotropic material.
There are two main variants. In LVL-P (Parallel), used for beams and columns, the veneers are all oriented longitudinally, offering an exceptional elastic modulus along a single axis. In LVL-C (Cross), about 20% of the layers are glued orthogonally, ideal for load-bearing wall panels or slabs, improving shear strength and reducing surface warping.
European and international references applicable.
Service Class 1 and 2 (indoor). Due to its exceptional density and phenolic glues, the charring rate is 0.65 mm/min, achieving R60/R90 without passive linings. Always pre-drill before screwing to avoid splitting parallel to the grain.
Very slender primary framing, ideal for flat roofs and industrial architecture.
PRC.32 · Open the processFlange and web elements for prefabricated lightweight I-joist floor systems.
PRC.07 · Open the processStuds and lintels with high load capacity where thickness is critical.
PRC.07 · Open the processSelf-supporting plates for roofs or floors of minimum thickness and high aesthetic value.
PRC.03 · Open the processElastic modulus E (MPa): the higher the value, the less the beam deflects under load. LVL enables reductions of 20-30% in beam height compared to standard glulam at equal spans, translating directly into lower floor-to-floor heights in tall buildings.
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