Weyerhauser referred to the product as “Microlam” for two years until then changed it to “Microllam.” Many still refer to Microlam when speaking of Microllam as they are frequently interchanged to identify all types of laminated veneer lumber. Microlam and Microllam refer to the same LVL product. ![]() Microlam is a common misspelling of Microllam, a Weyerhauser brand of engineered wood products. They are cut to size, wrapped, and prepped for storage or transportation. The process to get to a finished LVL beam starts with debarking the log, then rotary peeling the veneer to send the sheets to the jet tube dryers to reduce the moisture content to 8-10%.Īfter drying, the manufacturer grades the veneer sheets, gets a resin application, and compresses the sheets until dry. The most common wood used in LVL beams is Douglas fir. During World War II, plywood became an essential war material. There is recorded use by the Chinese, English, French, and Russians well before the 20th century, and it received its first patent in 1856. An LVL engineering process uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives.Įngineered lumber was first seen in use as early as ancient Egypt. LVL is typically made in a factory, straighter, more uniform, and stronger than traditional milled lumber. The difference is that plywood changes the grain’s direction with each layer, and LVL keeps the grain direction the same. ![]() LVL stands for Laminated Veneer Lumber and is similar to plywood in appearance. LVL Beam width should be 1/4 to 1/3 beam depth.Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: What is Laminated Veneer Lumber? (LVL) () LVL beam span calculator, design an LVL beam depth based on the rule of thumb for estimating the depth of manufactured beams which is to divide the span in inches by 20. Beam depths are typically 5 1/2 inches, 7 1/4 inches, 9 1/4 inches, 11 1/4 inches, 11 7/8 inches, 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches. The width can be increased by laminating in multiples of 1 3/4 inches. LVL Beam width should be 1/4 to 1/3 beam depth.ĭesign a beam width based on the fact that the typical width of an LVL beam is 1 3/4 inches. Rule of thumb for sizing LVL beamĭesign an LVL beam depth based on the rule of thumb for estimating the depth of manufactured beams which is to divide the span in inches by 20. For example: An 12 inches deep an LVL beam can span up to 20 feet (12″÷12× 20= 20 foot). LVL span calculatorĬalculate LVL beam span on the rule of thumb for estimating the span of LVL manufactured beam which is to multiply the depth in feet by figure 20, resulting figure is span of LVL beam. ![]() LVL beam thickness is usually between 1-3/4″ (one ply) and 7 inches (4ply). Generally, you can find LVL beams in a 4-foot increments starting at 24 feet and going up to 44 feet long, with special customize size up to 60 feet. ![]() LVL beam width should be 1/4 to 1/3 beam depth.įor example what size lvl beam for a 20 foot span, as per general thumb rule, for a 20 foot span, size of LVL beam or GLULAM should be (20×12)÷20 = 12 inches deep and width of LVL beam = 12÷ 4 = 3″, which is nearly equal as 3-1/2 inches or 2ply wide, thus you need something like a 12″ thick or 3-1/2″× 11-7/8″ size of LVL beam to span up to 20 feet.Īn LVL beam can span up to 60 feet due to its strength and is much stronger than traditional lumber. Because of the wood’s dimensional stability, inspection times are often reduced, too.īeam depths are typically 5-1/2 inches, 7-1/4 inches, 9-1/4 inches, 11-1/4 inches, 11-7/8 inches, 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches and 20 inches. Use an LVL beam to eliminate twisting and splitting for quiet floors. It is a straight, enough strong wood that fights warping and shrinking, providing great stability for your projects. LVL beam is generally made of thin sheets of wood which are sandwiched and bound with super stronger glue. It helps in better understanding about span and depth of LVL beam. This article describe about LVL beam span calculator and how to determine size of beam do you need. It is typically used for headers, beams, rim board, and edge-forming material. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is an engineered wood product that uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. LVL is product of recent innovation they are result of new technology and economic pressure to make use of new wood species and smaller trees that cannot be used to make solid Lumber. The American wood Council National design specification for wood, lvl is type of structural composite lumber comparable to glued laminated timber (Glulam).
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