Blog

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) represents a strong engineered wood product designed for use in important structures. It shares remarkable strength characteristics comparable to traditional solid timber, concrete, and steel.

The manufacturing process involves a careful bonding of rotary peeled or thinly sliced wood veneers, executed under precise conditions of heat and pressure.

This innovation first emerged in the 1970s, and today, it finds its place in a variety of permanent structural applications such as beams, lintels, purlins, truss chords, and formwork.

The versatility of LVL shines through as it can be custom-made to nearly any required length, with the only limiting factor being transportation logistics.

In our today’s article, we’ll see in depth about various aspects of LVL beam.

So, let’s delve in.

What is an LVL Beam?

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) bears a visual resemblance to plywood, but their construction methods set them apart. In plywood, the veneers change direction as they are layered, while in LVL, they all align in a uniform direction.

The crucial distinction in LVL lies in the fact that the wood grain consistently runs parallel to the length of the billet, which is a complete board formed by stacking these veneers in unison.

LVL beam stands for

LVL beam stands for Laminated Veneer Lumber. It represents a category of engineered wood products characterized by the lamination of numerous layers of thin wood veneer.

These carefully crafted LVL beams exhibit exceptional strength, remarkable straightness, and impressive dimensional stability.

Consequently, they emerge as an optimal choice for a diverse range of applications, including headers, beams, rimboard, and edge-forming material.

Notably, LVL beams demonstrate exceptional resistance to undesirable phenomena such as warping, twisting, bowing, and shrinking, rendering them a dependable and enduring option for a variety of long-term uses.

The production of LVL is often a closely guarded secret, with proprietary methods varying among different manufacturers.

Nevertheless, a general composition insight reveals that approximately 97.54% of one cubic meter of North American lumber consists of wood, 2.41% of phenol formaldehyde resin, 0.02% of phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, and a mere 0.03% of fillers.

Property	Description
Composition	Multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives
Common Uses	Headers, beams, rim board, edge-forming material
Strength	Stronger, straighter, and more uniform than milled lumber
Resistance	Less likely to warp, twist, bow, or shrink due to its composite nature
Manufacturing Location	Commonly produced in North America
Size Range	Varies but can be compatible with I-joist framing members for use as beams and headers
Key Technical Ratings	Elastic modulus: 12-14 GPa; Allowable bending stress: 19-21 MPa
Composition (General)	Approximately 97.54% wood, 2.41% phenol formaldehyde resin, 0.02% phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, 0.03% fillers
Caution	Not suitable for outdoor load-bearing use due to limitations with chemical treatments

Manufacturing process of LVL beam

• Lamination: Before the lamination stage, the wood veneers undergo a thorough drying process, and their grains are carefully oriented in a uniform direction. This key step imbues LVL with superior strength, straightness, and uniformity, effectively eliminating some of the natural limitations of conventional timber, like the weakening influence of knots.

Mechanical Properties

This engineering approach grants LVL some pretty useful properties, meaning it exhibits distinct mechanical properties along different axes, much like traditional sawn timber, as opposed to the isotropic properties observed in the plane of plywood.

No Warping or shrinking

Furthermore, being an engineered wood product, LVL boasts enhanced durability, making it less susceptible to issues such as warping or shrinking.

 Its load-bearing capacity also surpasses that of regular timber, enabling it to span longer distances and support heavier loads.

The process involves cutting section sizes from wide sheets or “billets” measuring 1200 meters in width. This flexibility in shaping LVL sheets empowers structural innovation, permitting the use of angular and curved designs to meet specific project requirements.

Technical Details of LVL Beams
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)	✔ 1.6 to 2.0 million psi
Modulus of Rupture (MOR)	✔ 3,500 to 7,000 psi
Shear Strength	✔850 to 1625 psi
Bearing Strength	✔ 500 to 1,500 psi

Cross-Banded LVL beams

It’s important to note that certain LVL members can be produced with laminations arranged at right angles to bolster the shear strength of the component. These specialized versions, known as Cross-Banded LVLs, may require a special order, as they are not typically found in regular stock.

Uses of an LVL Beam

The combination of I-joist floor framing and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) holds a special appeal for residential builders and building designers due to its tailor-made compatibility.

This dynamic duo of I-joists and LVL finds favor in both floor and roof assemblies.

LVL, in particular, is hailed as a highly dependable building material that mirrors many of the attributes attributed to larger-sized timbers.

It also serves as a valuable addition when used in tandem with gluelam, acting as an outer gluelam tension lam to bolster the strength of the gluelam beam.

Nonetheless, it’s important to note that the adhesive used in assembly places certain restrictions on LVL’s application.

Specifically, it limits the penetration of chemicals typically employed for treating lumber intended for outdoor use.

Consequently, LVL may not be the best choice for outdoor load-bearing purposes.

 In fact, there have been unfortunate incidents, like the Berkeley balcony collapse resulting in seven fatalities, which were attributed to deteriorating LVL joists.

A breakdown of LVL’s usage in North America reveals that it contributes to various sectors: 33% in new single-family residential construction, 25% in residential renovations and maintenance, 8% in new non-residential construction, and a significant 34% in the manufacturing of furniture and other products.

Here’re some common applications of LVL beams

• Flooring Support: LVL beams are commonly used to create sturdy and reliable flooring systems, often in the form of I-beam joists.
• Window Framing: LVL beams are ideal for framing wide windows, providing the necessary structural support.
• Doorway Headers: Especially for wider doorways like French doors, LVL beams make for robust and secure headers.
• Garage Door Openings: LVL beams are trusted to support the weight and provide stability for garage door openings.
• Supporting Beams: LVL beams are used as carrying beams in various construction projects, ensuring structural integrity.
• Creating Spacious Interiors: LVL beams are instrumental in constructing column-free spaces, offering flexibility in interior design.
• Rim Boards: LVL is commonly employed in rim boards, enhancing the stability and strength of structures.
• Roof Trusses: LVL beams play a crucial role in roof truss systems, contributing to the durability and stability of roofs.
• Patio Doors: LVL beams provide the necessary framework for patio doors, ensuring they remain secure and functional.
• Open Plan Kitchens: In open plan kitchen designs, LVL beams help support load-bearing walls, enabling open and spacious layouts.
• Deck Construction: LVL beams are a preferred choice for constructing decks, offering the required strength for outdoor recreational areas.

Applications of LVL Beams
Beams and Headers	✔ Residential and commercial construction, bridges, and heavy-duty structures.
Rim Joists and Floor Joists	✔ Homes with wide spans or heavy loads.
Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam)	✔ Heavy-duty construction, bridges, stadiums, large structures.

Is LVL beam stronger than a timber beam?

LVL typically comes with manufacturer-assigned ratings for its elastic modulus and allowable bending stress. Common elastic moduli values include 12 GPa (1,700,000 psi), 13 GPa (1,900,000 psi), and 14 GPa (2,000,000 psi). In terms of allowable bending stress, you’ll often encounter values like 19 MPa (2,800 psi) and 21 MPa (3,000 psi).

Why is it called LVL?

The term “LVL” stands for Laminated Veneer Lumber, an engineered wood product with a global track record of over three decades. LVL is widely recognized for its application in residential and commercial construction, primarily serving as structural components for lintels, beams, mid-floors, and roofs in building projects.

Strength comparison

As per one research, LVL Beam has a higher strength to weight ratio. It has a shear strength of 850 to 650 psi while it’s bearing strength varies between 500 to 1,500 psi depending on the size and manufacturing process.

The study also finds that the LVL beams are super strong, even stronger than regular softwood beams you find in stores. They’re awesome for building stuff. In some cases they can have 2.5 times more stronger than other timber or softwood beams.

The strength modeling of LVL beam suggests that the design strength of the beams can be in the range of 32.3 MPa to 97.2 MPa. However, the design strength depends on the quality of veneers used and the beam sizes.

LVL is denser than regular wood or glued laminated timber because it’s made using heat and more adhesive. That’s why LVL is predicted to be stronger when you press it from the sides compared to regular wood or glued laminated timber.

LVL is tougher than regular wood. It’s created by taking thin slices of wood, arranging them in a neat line, and gluing them together with heat and pressure. Builders love it because it’s affordable and you can make big pieces by stacking several layers on top of each other.

It has proven to depict incredible strength and stability against wind and heavy loadings. It’s pretty strong in comparison to other wood beams available. You can enjoy two and a half times more strength than standard framing lumber. Also, it can withstand 100 mph or more wind pressure. So, it’s best for hurricane and other wind disasters.

Difference between simple beam and LVL beam

When it comes to price, LVL beams are costlier than simple lumber beams. If you’re a DIYer and have been using dimensional lumber, you’ll know that LVL prices are far more than the simple lumber. In the market, a simple 1-3/4-inch by 7-1/4-inch by 8-foot LVL beam is comparable in size to a dimensional two-by-eight by 8-foot piece of lumber.

Water proof or not?

No, LVL beams in general are not water proof. However, they can be manufactured to variety of grades and standards. The lowest from packing-grade to single use non-water proof. They’re also available in waterproof grade.

But we recommend not to expose LVL during and after construction. Also, it’s best if we can seal the ends and edges of LVL to help it resist the moisture penetration. Being an expert, we believe that for long-term exposure, it’s best to do preventive treatment and finishing with a protective coating.

Pros of LVL Beams

One of the most noteworthy advantages of LVL is its ability to provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly building material without compromising structural integrity or strength.

• Impressive Strength: LVL is renowned for its excellent overall strength, making it a reliable choice for structural applications.
• Efficient Weight-to-Strength Ratio: It offers a favorable weight-to-strength ratio, which means it’s strong without being overly heavy.
• Stability: LVL beams are known for their stability, ensuring long-term performance and reducing the risk of warping or other distortions.
• Consistent Quality: LVL products maintain a high level of quality, providing reliability and peace of mind.
• Optimal Size-to-Strength Ratio: LVL offers an excellent size-to-strength ratio, making it suitable for a variety of applications.

Cons of Using Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

• Costly: One of the drawbacks of LVL is its cost. It’s considered more expensive compared to some other building materials.
• Special Order Item: LVL may not be readily available off-the-shelf and might require a special order, potentially leading to longer lead times.
• Installation Specifics: Proper installation is crucial for LVL, with specific guidelines that need to be followed to ensure its effectiveness.
• Potential Defects: While LVL is generally of high quality, there’s still a possibility of defects like warping, so attention to quality control is important.
• Not Always Exterior-Rated: LVL might not be the best choice for outdoor applications, as it may not have the necessary treatments to withstand outdoor conditions, so it’s essential to consider its suitability for your project.

Advantages	Disadvantages
High strength-to-weight ratio	Costlier compared to traditional lumber
Uniform quality	It may be more difficult to work with than traditional lumber.
Straight	Not as aesthetically pleasing as traditional lumber
Resistant to warping and twisting

Standard Sizes

a. LVL Beam Thickness

When it comes to LVL beams, you have a variety of thickness options to choose from. These typically range from 1.75 inches to 7 inches.

To give you a better idea, you can find LVL beams in the following sizes: 1.75-inch plywood, two pieces of 3.5-inch thick plywood, three pieces of 2.25-inch wide plywood, and four pieces of 7-inch thick plywood.

b. LVL Beam Length

LVL beams come in various lengths, with common options being 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, and 44 feet. In some cases, you can even find them in lengths up to 60 feet.

These beams are usually available in increments of 4 feet, but they can be customized to your specific needs. Keep in mind that beams longer than 60 feet can be quite challenging to transport and handle.

c. LVL Beam Depth

The depth of an LVL beam can vary, and you’ll find options such as

• 1.5 inches (140 mm)
• 2.75 inches (184 mm)
• 3.75 inches (235 mm)
• 4.5 inches (241 mm)
• 5.75 inches (286 mm)
• 9.625 inches (302 mm)
• 14 inches (356 mm)
• 16 inches (406 mm)
• 18 inches (457 mm)
• 17.25 inches (476 mm)
• 20 inches (508 mm)
• 19.125 inches (606 mm)

These different depths cater to various construction needs.

Drilling through an LVL beam

Can I drill a hole through an LVL beam? Yes you can drill a hole through an LVL beam but only up to maximum diameter of 25 of the beam’s width. But don’t every try to drill large diameter holes in the beam for the sake of plumbing or air conditioning lines. For such instances, it’s best to use I-Joists. However, for load-bearing beams, the drilling a hole through the entire beam is discouraged.

About the author & Endoursements

The article has been written by Saad Iqbal, who’s a structural design engineer with specialization in Engineered, wood. He’s got plenty of experience in product certification and testing, applied research, and market support and development.

The article has been reviewed for fact check and recommended by Jerry Fishnick, Warren Hamrick, Tim Wallace, and Matt Sampley. They’re all engineered wood specialists.