What are the grades of LVL?

Primary production is of 3 main grades of LVL: S, X and T. Using the latest technology Stora Enso is producing LVL at the Varkaus site in Finland. The layering of the veneers affects the strength, properties and capabilities of a grade and makes it most suitable for a particular use.

Are there different grades of LVL?

As of today, we have three different grades of LVL (1.0E, 1.55E, 1.6E) and one Mass Ply (1.6E). LVL is the building block of Mass Ply. We can take these different grades to build up the Mass Ply. This method is common with glulam beams.

What is the difference between 1.9 and 2.0 LVL?

LVL is laminated veneer lumber. The numbers 1.9 and 2.0 refer to the Modulus of Elasticity which is a measure of the stiffness of the beam. I would seriously doubt that there is any meaningful difference between 1.9 and 2.0 rated beams.

What are the different sizes of LVL?

LVL can also be manufactured in thicknesses from 19 mm (3/4 in) to 178 mm (7 in). Commonly used LVL beam depths are 241 mm (9-1/2 in), 302 mm (11-7/8 in), 356 mm (14 in), 406 mm (16 in), 476 mm (18-3/4 in) and 606 mm (23-7/8 in).

How are LVL beams rated?

A Word About LVL Grades

The industry markets LVL beams and headers based on the MOE value (modulus of elasticity = E) which along with the size of the beam (moment of inertia = I) determines the stiffness (EI) of the beam. The stiffness of a beam determines how much deflection a beam will experience under a given load.

LVL engineered Lumber Explained!

Which is stronger LVL or glulam?

Glulam and LVL are both excellent choices when it comes to engineered wood products. Glulam offers superior strength and design flexibility, making it ideal for long spans and architectural innovations.

How much does a 20 ft LVL cost?

A 20-foot LVL beam costs between $6 and $11 per linear foot for materials alone and up to $2,500 including installation. Labor costs will highly depend on the complexity of the project. You will also run into related costs for specific in-depth projects, such as structural foundation inspections or roofing inspections.

Is LVL stronger than lumber?

Laminated veneer lumber has been proven to show incredible strength and stability against wind and heavy loads. It can be up to an astonishing two and a half times stronger than standard framing lumber of equivalent comparison, and therefore withstanding 100 mph or more.

Are LVL beams stronger than lumber?

So even though it still is actual wood, it is put together in a factory using small pieces of wood and glue. Now, surprisingly enough, there are numerous benefits. First and foremost it is significantly stronger. A LVL has about 4 times the strength of a normal lumber.

Is LVL stronger than solid wood?

Strength and Durability:

Engineered wood productssuch as LVL excel in strength and durability, while solid wood retains its strength naturally.

How far can a LVL beam span without support?

Some manufacturers limit their beams to 60' due to transportation issues, while others have the capability to manufacture beams up to 80' long. So, the longest unsupported span possible using LVL would be 80-feet. Typically, though, it is common for a continuous LVL span to be between 20' and 30'.

How thick should a LVL beam be?

LVL RigidLam 2.0E Beams are laminated veneer lumber used in building. They are very strong and stable as they resist warping, splitting and shrinking. All LVL beams are 1-3/4″ thick.

What is the disadvantage of LVL?

Disadvantage of LVL

Due to its production from many layers of the veneer, the LVL can have some defects such as warping, delamination, so it requires high production technology and good workmanship to have a stable quality LVL.

Will a LVL beam sag?

Your wood/LVL will sag much more. What you are describing is ultra typical when there is a point load above and they used LVL. I don't know why cities keep allowing the use of LVL for anything more than 10 feet. It will look great and then year 2-3 it starts sagging... year 4-5 you get cracks and notice it...

Is LVL waterproof?

LVL is produced from graded wood veneers that are coated with a waterproof structural adhesive and formed into billets through heated pressing. Grading individual veneers helps to design the strength characteristics for each piece of LVL.

What are the disadvantages of LVL wood?

Although its dimensional stability is better than solid wood, the product may result in some defect, such as warping, if it is not properly stored in the warehouse. Also, LVL requires high capital investment to have relatively low production cost. Therefore, high demand is necessary to have a profitable operation.

Is a 12 LVL stronger than a 2x12?

LVL (laminated) beams have a substantially higher load rating than solid wood.

Is LVL cheaper than lumber?

For DIYers accustomed to dimensional lumber prices, LVL's prices are far more expensive. A 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. The two-by-eight costs $10 to $15; the LVL version runs $45 to $50.

Can I use an LVL as a joist?

It can be used as window and garage door headers, floor beams, floor joists, roof beams and roof joists/rafters.

Can you use LVL for framing?

MT-LVL E10 is the MGP10 equivalent for general framing applications. MT-LVL is well in excess of the required values of all major strength properties for MGP grades. The reduced variability of MT-LVL ensures it can be confidently used where MGP grades are specified.

Is LVL good for outdoor use?

PWT Treated LVL can be used in exterior construction above ground applications (UC3B) and for components that are difficult to maintain, repair, or replace and are critical to the performance and safety of the entire system.

Can you drill through LVL beams?

Whenever possible, avoid drilling vertical holes through LVL beams unless the beam width is at least 3-1/2 inches. Prior to drilling any vertical holes, an engineer or architect qualified in wood design should be consulted.

Can LVL span 24 feet?

LVL beam size for a 24 foot span:- as per general thumb rule, for a 24 foot span, size of LVL beam or GLULAM should be 12-14 inches deep and 4 inches wide, thus you need something like a 12-14 GLULAM or LVL to span upto 24 feet used for residential building or projects.

What is the biggest difference between LVL and plywood?

Unlike plywood, all of the veneer in an LVL billet is aligned in one direction to maximize strength and stiffness in that direction. An advantage of LVL over solid sawn lumber is the dispersion of defects, such as knots and pitch pockets, which greatly reduces the variability of the product.