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Glued laminated timber. Production technology, characteristics

Glued Laminated Timber (GLT) is a revolutionary solution for modern construction projects. Using advanced technology, this wood product is created by laminating layers of wood veneers together, under high pressure and heat, forming a solid and sturdy structure. Its unique characteristics allow for improved strength, stability and resistance to cracking. This product is also lightweight, fast and easy to install, and weather and fire resistant, making it an excellent material for large constructions as well as residential projects. GLT is also eco-friendly, energy efficient and affordable. Its exceptional features make it the perfect choice for any residential or commercial building.

The days of poor wooden huts are long gone. In the modern construction market, wooden materials have become a sign of wealth.

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Today, wooden houses have such advantages that our ancestors could not even dream of. At the same time, all the noble qualities of wood as a material are preserved, and completely unique qualities are added to them, which allow the use of wood as a reliable building material. Think for yourself, could a hundred, and even fifty years ago, be said about a wooden beam that it does not burn or rot? Now we can safely declare this. Wood in todayโ€™s understanding is a high-quality, environmentally friendly and reliable material.

Wooden walls breathe, retain heat well, adapt to climatic conditions, do not require special finishing. It is always warm and cozy in a wooden house, and in hot weather it gives the coolness of nature itself.

Traditional log walls are a thing of the past and give way to new technologies. Glued timber โ€“ beams or logs โ€“ has firmly taken positions in the construction market and is not going to give them up.

The walls of their glued timber practically do not shrink. Walls made from traditional wood materials can shrink from 3 to 10%. Now, on this basis, walls made of glue beams are equated to concrete or stone.

The raw material for laminated veneer lumber is round timber. The logs are cut into planks. Cutting dimensions are calculated so as to obtain the highest possible yield of finished products.

After sawing, the wood is sent to drying chambers, where it dries up to 10-12% moisture. Further, the resulting boards go through several stages of processing. They are planed, calibrated, impregnated with a special composition, and finally glued.

Impregnation with special compounds protects wood from decay, microorganisms and enhances fire protection.

Bonding prepared and processed boards (lamellas) also has its own characteristics. Special glue penetrates deep into the pores of the tree, thereby ensuring the strength of the finished timber. But at the same time, the glue does not affect the possibility of natural air exchange..

When joining the finished boards, their cuts are placed in different directions, and the extreme lamellas are facing outward with growth rings, which provides protection against cracking. Then the almost finished glued laminated timber is leveled and profiled.

The finished log produced in this way acquires a strength and hardness that is seven times more than the strength and hardness of a traditional solid log.

The timber can contain from three to five lamellas, which allows the production of the final material up to 230 mm thick.

The final quality of laminated veneer lumber also depends on the wood used in the production: pine, especially northern ones, are much stronger than spruce, and Canadian cedar or larch are very high-quality and elite materials.

Houses made of laminated veneer lumber can be installed at any time of the year. The time during which the production of timber for a specific project is carried out is spent on building the foundation. Usually both processes take about 6-10 weeks at the same time..
Installation of a house structure on a ready-made foundation can be done in 8-12 weeks.

The requirements for the foundation for a house made of laminated veneer lumber are less stringent than for the foundation for a stone building. A wooden house is lighter than a stone one, which means that the foundation does not require much deepening into the ground.

Summing up, we list the advantages that a house made of laminated veneer lumber has:

โ€“ walls do not shrink,
โ€“ the design does not change shape during operation,
โ€“ material does not crack,
โ€“ walls do not require insulation between elements,
โ€“ the finished house does not require additional finishing,
โ€“ the design has high strength and reliability
โ€“ due to special processing, the material does not burn.

Thanks to these features, your house made of laminated veneer lumber will delight you and your descendants with its unique natural warmth and comfort.

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Comments: 4
  1. Finley

    Can you please provide more information about the production technology and characteristics of glued laminated timber? Iโ€™m interested in learning more about this type of timber and its uses.

    Reply
  2. Piper

    What are the specific production techniques used for manufacturing glued laminated timber? Can you explain the characteristics of glued laminated timber in terms of strength, durability, and flexibility compared to traditional solid timber?

    Reply
    1. Noah Cohen

      Glued laminated timber, also known as glulam, is manufactured by assembling individual layers of solid timber boards with adhesives. The production process involves selecting the appropriate timber boards, applying adhesives to bond the layers together, and subjecting the structure to pressure and heat for curing. This technique ensures a strong, uniform, and defect-free product.

      In terms of strength, glued laminated timber offers several advantages over traditional solid timber. The glued layers distribute loads more efficiently, resulting in higher load-bearing capacity. Glulam can be designed to withstand large spans and heavy loads, making it a suitable choice for various structural applications. Additionally, the adhesive used during production increases the strength of the connections, enhancing overall structural integrity.

      Durability is another key characteristic of glued laminated timber. The adhesives used in the manufacturing process provide protection against moisture, insects, and rot, ensuring long-term performance and resistance to decay. Glulam can be treated with preservatives or finishes to further increase its durability and protect against external elements.

      Flexibility is a notable advantage of glued laminated timber compared to solid timber. By manipulating the orientation and shape of the laminations during manufacturing, glulam can be curved or shaped as desired, allowing for more aesthetically pleasing and versatile designs. This flexibility is particularly beneficial in architectural and design applications, where curved or custom shapes are desired.

      In conclusion, the production techniques involved in manufacturing glued laminated timber include layering timber with adhesives, subjecting it to pressure and heat for curing. Glulam exhibits superior strength due to improved load distribution and enhanced connections. It offers increased durability against moisture, insects, and rot, and can be shaped and curved for added flexibility in design applications.

      Reply
  3. Carter Palmer

    What are the main production technologies used for glued laminated timber and what are its key characteristics compared to other types of wood products?

    Reply
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