Why you should choose Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) for your next project
Looking for a customisable wood product that’s cost-effective and sustainable? Try LVL!
Developed in the 1970s, LVL is a high-strength, engineered timber product that’s useful for a range of structural applications – from beams and lintels, to truss chords and formwork – in both homes and public buildings.
What’s the difference between conventional lumber and LVL?
While conventional lumber is solid sawn timber, Laminated Veneer Lumber is created from multiple layers of thin wood (veneers), bonded together with heavy-duty glue.
Usually, the grain of every veneer is placed parallel to all of the other slices of wood. However, for some applications, the grains are cross-banded. Instead of individual slabs, LVL is produced in wide sections called billets. These billets are then sawn into sections as thick as 105 mm and as wide as 1,200 mm.
At Narangba Timbers, our largest size of LVL is 525 mm wide and 75 mm thick. The unique engineering and veneer structure of LVL improves the structural properties of the timber significantly. While there are many excellent natural timber options, LVL timber boasts a number of unique benefits only made possible thanks to its specific engineering process.
Why should you choose LVL timber?
We often compare LVL to solid timber, concrete, and steel, thanks to its exemplary strength, which makes it perfect for supporting heavy loads in commercial or industrial settings.
One of the major differences between LVL and conventional lumber is that – due to the emphasis placed on quality bonding in LVL – there are no naturally occurring knots. Instead, “knots” are dispersed over numerous laminates, which remove specific weak points from the greater piece of timber.
LVL’s engineering process also reduces other natural flaws associated with solid timber, such as shakes and twists, which impact the wood’s overall durability. This means that LVL is not only stronger, but also less prone to shrinkage and warping.
If you’re working on your home’s interior, we recommend using LVL – especially for rafters, headers, lintels, purlins, roof trusses, and formwork. You can also customise LVL for increased flexibility and pliability, which makes it ideal for complex architectural projects!
Features and benefits of LVL timber
- Available in any length and desired shape
- Quick and easy to install
- Less prone to warping or shrinking
- Lightweight
- Cost-effective
- Sustainable
- Highly durable
Call the best timber suppliers in Brisbane & Sydney
To learn more about LVL or to experience our excellent customer service, call Narangba Timbers today on 1300 477 024.