Surprising facts about Glulam Engineered Beams

Looking to learn more about Glulam beams for your construction projects? This ultimate guide covers everything you need to know about wood construction, house building, framing, engineering, and building science. rosboro.com/glulam/
0:00 Intro
2:10 What is a Glulam
2:40 Deflection
3:25 Lam Stock
6:46 How Glulams are Made
8:10 Why X Beam Matches Framing rosboro.com/product/x-beam-24...
9:44 Manufacturing 60' Lengths
10:57 Break Testing Glulams
12:45 Cost Effective vs LVL, PSL
13:50 Architectural Flexibility
14:30 Camber vs Sag
15:30 Heavy Timber Rule
16:14 10 Reasons to Use Glulam
18:50 Glulam Columns
20:00 Pay it Forward
Some of the links below are affiliate links. I may make a small commission off of them.
5% coupon code "NGDAWESOME" and the free freight on fastener orders over $1,000 with code "FREESHIPPING
The tools I use and recommend acmetools.pxf.io/AwesomeFramers
Nick's Boots + Awesome Framers boot The Wood Butcher rb.gy/x316yv
Instagram awesomeframers
website www.awesomeframers.com/blog
/ awesomeframers
Company pioneerbuildersonline.com/
/ pioneerbuildersinc
ISOtunes Bluetooth Hearing Protection - bit.ly/Timmy10 (10% off code: Timmy10)
Nicks Boots bit.ly/3MEHY56
truewerk.com/collections/work...
Click here for a discount on Hyspecs Safety Glasses www.iwearhyspecs.com/timmy10
Oh and another takeaway, if you use a drone for commercial work, you need to be part107 certified. Commercial work includes social media like KZbin if you plan to make an income off of that. I watched a video about this last May and then purchased the Part 107 Course sso.teachable.com/secure/2458... I studied and learned for 1 month and then took my test. I scored a 95%, which is a testament to how good Greg and the crew over there teach. That link will save you $100 off the course and support this channel.
badgertoolbelts.com
wavecel.com/
jackasssawhorse.com/
Spotify Playlist ??
open.spotify.com/playlist/1ni...
#building #construction #framing #huberpartner

[@user-ur3vd9ku4s]

I was a certified grader in a glulam plant 48 years ago. this brought back a lot of memories.

[@drumswest5035]

I was the structural draftsman on the Olympic Oval roof in Vancouver and it was basically two curved gluams joined by a V shaped metal plate at the bottom, very interesting project. If you look at the picture you posted (@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="873">14:33</a>) notice there are no hvac system visible, they were all hidden inside btwn the two glulams. The holes on the side was the air conditioning outlets. I liked your explanation of camber and the fire rating! The only caution on glulams is who manufactures them, I have seen some pretty bad ones too.

[@MRSketch09]

Oh that's pretty cool!

[@ohasis8331]

Glulams have such a lovely look when showcased in a building.

[@prestonmiller9552]

Very well done and explained. When I used to work for a company that specialized in building church furniture, everything was built with white oak and the glue was a water proof resin glue that was applied heated to 180 degrees. Every day we had a test piece we would break, and the glue joints held while the wood would break first. Glue joints if done properly will always hold longer than the wood itself.

[@oneworldsteve8433]

Thank you. That was everything a video of this kind, of every kind, needs. Easy listening, humour, and the descriptions/explanations were easily understood, detailed and required to truly understand structural wooden beams.

[@jonabbey3000]

This has made me a believer in Glulam, Thank you Tim

[@ralbert450]

Great job. I had a new home built in2017 and I had no idea how strong the glulam is. Thank you for making this video.

[@TheBeardedonee]

40 years bangin nails.... took all this for granted. On the Hood Canal. Thanks

[@randyrussell6246]

Fantastic video ! I am a carpenter / builder of both residential and commercial and blessed to have had some great structural engineers , loved the restoration of old warehouses and mills built from the 20's to the 50's . I am prejudice when it comes to wood as I have had enough splinters to show wood in my DNA but I have come to love all that is structual , to include concrete and steel ...which are very pleasant to look at when incorperated into the finished wood structure. I don,t like most of the building shows but I like your videos , I am a builder and know quality framing when I see it ( even though you are a cat of another color ) You are always staying up to speed on tools and products ( even though you have more tools x 10 anyone needs ) Ya'll stay safe and watch your fingers and toes !

[@georgetuider654]

Just got back from Alaska. I have 401 videos in the cue. I will not watch them all but I did watch yours. First. Thanks for another outstanding video. You never disappoint.

[@AC.Prince]

Remember seeing your name in the magazine years ago.I have been in the business since the '80s, still learning. Thanks

[@46bovine]

I’m impressed with the engineered wood products and the way Rosboro manufactures the products.

[@carlbrown939]

Always a great video. Informative and pleasant to watch. And Roseburg products are quality.

[@TheWatchit45]

Awesome video! Very informative Tim. Gluelams are my #1 go to, mainly because they are stable, no cupping, checking or twisting. Thank you for sharing.

[@ldtenenoff]

Once again ur setting the standard fer the whys and the hows correctly wen it comes to contruction process the right way teaching our youth that these things MATTER alot so thank you now its time to garden and make some saw dust of me own

[@TBird89]

Great video Tim, covered all the bases on this great product and factory testing footage was 👌🏻👍🥇

[@dianem6073]

First vid I've viewed and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Looking forward to seeing them all !!!!

[@michaeldonohue7167]

Great video. I’ve used LVL and PSL exclusively here in NC but I’ll need to give glulam a try on an up coming project.

[@ldtenenoff]

yup agreed looks like closest dealer is in P.A. man i really enjoy this fella at AwesomeFramers he is so good about well just being humble. Wow wat a great yr so far for our weather

[@Bob_Adkins]

Back in the day, we would use a double 2X12 with a 3X3/16 thick" steel strap on the bottom. If you pick out some good boards they can easily span 20'. Yeah, steel was cheap in those days.

[@AlexAlex-zn9lf]

Always fun and educational to see what other builders are up to 👍

[@craigpatterson9387]

Great video, but I loved your attitude about paying it forward. I'm at that point in my life where I'm trying to teach anybody that wants to learn also. I get great joy from it.

[@espnmk]

Thanks for Sharing Timmy you and the crew are a wealth of knowledge.

[@user-dr8rk2jx8m]

I am in Australia but the information remains highly useful and informative. Glulam adds so much value to the timber and it is an amazing technology.

[@allanmurphy7474]

I installed 60’ x 28’’glue-lams as main support beams for glue lam rafters. After installing 2x6 T +G for roof deck, the middle 2 support columns sat with the glue lams 1 and 3/4 above the saddles of the exposed steel support columns, no way could I force them down because they were cambered. I carried on with the project and later that winter with tar paper on 6/12 pitch the snow collected and after 3 ft on the roof the glue lams settled nicely into place. I bolted them in place and they are still sitting beautifully 30 years later. Great explanation of glue lams and the difference of LVL’s. Cheers

[@pcatful]

Excellent job! I watch Matt, Paul and a few other building presenters-everyone has something different to offer and you fit in just fine with unique information and style.

[@thomassilvis8764]

Great job.

[@2point..0]

I am designing a Double Shed Roof home with Glulams exposed with 2 x 6 T&G all exposed for all to see beautiful wood fiber at its best, as always Liked#133 N Subscribed and a fan of the AwesomeFramers!!!

[@jrwalker1048]

Thank you for the great content!

[@lesjolley8389]

Thoroughly enjoyed finding your post. Especially understand it is a labor or love. We appreciate your time and teaching

[@ericknutsen1958]

Thanks for your time and efforts putting the video together - enjoy watching them all

[@jimanderson4495]

Thanks Tim. I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin where my Dad worked for Forest Products Laboratory from 1942 - 1969. I subscribe to your great channel and enjoy the current new house build.

[@bobmartin6055]

Many thanks for sharing!! I really admire your professionalism in building quality homes, you can tell by your attention to the details.

[@aronfejes]

Thank you for putting this video together! Very informative and interesting!

[@gregsidel3557]

Thank you Tim for the video you really are an intelligent person and I'm glad that you're sharing your experience with all of us out here thank you

[@missulu]

Awesome info, thanks for doing this video!

[@electricalron]

So much great information at hand right here. You are so right about sharing the information and teaching others how to do this work. It's very important to "pay it forward" and the older and more experienced I become as an electrician, I have a whole list of people who have taught me along the way that I do actually thank as often as possible. Great channel, video, and experience. Thank you!

[@JoshuaPanfile]

thanks for the video, I was hoping to find a video comparing different materials for beams and then yours just came out.

[@timothysotelo4749]

Thank you, this was great information!!!

[@beetleclemens3727]

This sounds like some kind of an adventure cannot wait to go on the next adventure with you 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@lanceodell8058]

thank you for taking the time to educate us!

[@edchristie4839]

Great informative vid Tim. Thank you from sunny Scotland 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@sheltonsmith9270]

we love engineered lumber products

[@costrio]

I enjoyed learning something new. Thank you.

[@MrShtsweak]

I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you Tim. ❤

[@KarlLew]

See also Norway wooden bridge failures at joints.

[@jimrowland8310]

I very much enjoyed this episode, very interesting, thanks 😊

[@BirchwoodBill]

Rosboro is very good at providing documentation for sizing beams and columns.

[@seanstack180]

Such a well explained video. Well done! I’m in the process of building my first house and I’m currently in the process of deciding between glulam, lvl, and steel beams in my basement/garage ceiling. This was very helpful.

[@AwesomeFramers]

Thanks! Best wishes your project goes well.

[@danielalamo2075]

Thank you for sharing the information.

[@davidrobins7753]

Very instructive, interesting video. Thank you.

[@XYZ-Drafting_and_Designs]

I'm a big fan. Keep pushing!

[@kennethmiller2333]

To give a little bit more background to his discussion on bending in beams: 1. Most materials are stronger in compression than tension. This is most notable in brittle materials such as concrete and glass which perform brilliantly in compression and immediately crack or shatter in tension but it's also true, to a lesser extent, in wood and steel. This is why an unbalanced beam is more cost-effective than a balanced one. There's no need to put your best lam on the top, since it's in compression. 2. A beam's ability to withstand bending is measured by a property called moment of inertia. This is not the same as what it means in physics and should properly be called second moment of area... but that's not as catchy. Moment of inertia is proportional to its width, but not to its depth. Rather, it is proportional to the SQUARE of the depth. So if you double the depth of a beam, you quadruple its resistance to bending. 3. This is why "I beams" (still often called that, but now replaced by the similar-but-better wide-flange shapes) are so awesome. By putting the material all the way on the top and bottom (flanges), you get a lot of resistance to bending, but you can leave the middle thinner and reduce weight, since that part adds less to the overall moment of area. Trusses also take advantage of this.

[@h2s142]

My church in san jose had 120ft pre cambered 7’ deep glulams 2 parallel to each other. In the loma prietta earthquake of 89 they delaminated due to tension stress. We had to add 4 1”1/8 cables and regluam and clamp them together.

[@h2s142]

I slept on the trampoline with the kids and got no sleep, grammar is struggling

[@chrismoyler]

That is an incredible story. I didn't know that repair of glulam beams was technically possible. Any link please?

[@h2s142]

@@chrismoyler www.structuremag.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/C-Structural-Failures-ON-LINE-VERSION1.pdf

[@curtisblair7618]

Interesting video. In central Florida I’d say over 90 percent of the builders are using LVLs. Probably the salesman are better at selling. lol. More work for the framers adding SDS screws. And the engineer has to spec the beam sizes and screw spacing. At least today they do have that option , used to be 1/2” through bolts everywhere. Now only bolts if the engineer requires them, usually at specific loads. The only time we see gluelam beams are for arch beams now, and some posts.

[@OUTDOORS55]

We typically use lvls, especially for remodels, due to the ease of laminating multiple lvls on site without a crane or fork lift. I think in a lot of cases people would prefer exposed glulam, but the added cost and difficulty of installation usually makes them a no go.

[@clivewilliams3661]

A well presented topic without the mass of technical structural information that would be above some comprehension. I am an Architect in UK and although I have never spec'd glulam, I am aware of its capabilities although it is mostly used for specialist applications that often include curved structures. In UK we use steel and masonry extensively with timber being for small framing, in South of Europe they prefer reinforced concrete, much depends on what local resources you have.

[@richardwentland3489]

Fascinating! Thank you! God’s Blessings!

[@michaeltaylor8084]

Great job.thanks for teaching a seasoned carpenter a few new things.

[@chornii_boumer7324]

Thank you for this video. I learned about glulam being cheaper than others and the hybrid glulam. Also, the choice of using glulam as post instead of full-size timber or what we do is we build wood packs ourselves, I might suggest the idea to my boss to use glulam posts for efficiency. I do also prefer residential but here in the Okanagan unfortunately there is much work for residential compared to commercial. Thank you for the BC shoutout.

[@Freeagent-4-life]

A great vid. thanks for sharing.

[@officialmultie]

Thanks for the great content

[@rfldss89]

glulams are often used in indoor water parks and such because you can build huge spans, but most importantly wood is much resistance to pool chlorine than steel and concrete. All that chlorine in the air would cause the concrete to crumble and the steel to corrode over the years.

[@jonathankeith7742]

Thanks for the info

[@SFX95901]

My best friend works at a company which supplies lumber (Mattheus) for large multi unit commercial projects here in TX (and in the Seattle Area) - I forwarded your video (though she probably knows most of it) - the explanations of the what & why and the testing she might still be interested in seeing. You do a pretty good video at a level virtually anyone can understand. As an engineer (though not a structural one), one thing I was curious about were some of the details not mentioned. The types of glue used in the different types of beams, clamping force & any curing mechanism used during the laminating process, the what’s, how’s, & why’s of what separates the higher quality of wood and how it’s selected & graded & perhaps a comparison of the different types of beams you mentioned (including the ply-beam) as to strength vs weight vs cost & size. I’m sure the mfg mentioned has all of that info readily available and I imagine these are just facts you deal with every day and so it may not occur that us non-professional framer types might find them very interesting as well. Of course, I guess that could be a subsequent video - comparing them with steel (I beam or box sections) and pretensioned cement construction. I will subscribe but as someone with endless curiosity I’m just curious

[@AwesomeFramers]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping to do a mill tour and get answrrs to those questions.

[@mhick3333]

Great presentation

[@Mrskyline25t]

Great video. So factual. ❤

[@user-vn6hi2bi3g]

Very informative great video, Thanks. Ray Stormont

[@pdcro1247]

Great education!!!

[@KingofFools]

Great video!

[@henrycarlson7514]

So Wise, Thank You. Who knew

[@scottcarlson8502]

Thanks Tim!

[@Adam-pj3hd]

Informative!

[@dallasarnold8615]

Another point to consider about steel products is thermal expansion and contraction. The longer the member the greater the variation. One job site I was on, the previous crew had attached the steel beams at BOTH ends, which prevented any shifting on the supporting wall. Well, the sun did a number on the steel causing it to expand so much that it pushed the concrete block wall far enough that it collapsed. The beams should have been attached alternatively on one end only.

[@ducoh2093]

I love glulam, one day I hope I can frame my entire house with glulam exclusively. Walls, Floors beams, rafters, everything. So strong and better than lvl in my opinion since it uses less glue

[@paulgilliland2992]

We tested a lot of wood , steel and concrete at Manchester University. They had a magnificent facility in their school of the built environment.

[@SFX95901]

I spent a great part of my youth helping on my step fathers “dream” project - Building a 60’ commercial fishing boat (The Annie Gray, originally out of Moss Landing CA - USA) out of steel reinforced ferro-cement. By weight stronger than the sheet steel used for most boats), then I spent many teen years fishing for Salmon & Albacore - The boat was sold my sr year in high school. It then became one of the main boats that was used in the largest marijuana smuggling operations on the west coast in the early 80s. Because the purchase was financed and my parents owned the note - after the DEA seized it we got it back for a couple years. I’ve always desired to do a net zero home with the same ferrocement construction techniques sandwiching a foot or two of earth between walls with spray poly insulation inside of them. Probably not cost effective in terms of building materials or effort - but still would be cool to do. (The Annie Gray had a hot dog I dropped into a space in the bow before final deck plastering embedded in it for its entire life. Yeah random comment- But your cement testing comment reminded me of it,

[@brianflanders5831]

Very interesting video

[@Sylvan_dB]

I found out (the hard way) a previous owner had removed a center post, compromising a loafing shed. I quite liked the clear span, so I determined to add the beam that should have been added when the post was removed. It was about 21ft long and needed to withstand some weather exposure due to the open end of the shed. Wow, that would be a pricy beam! Instead I glued up 9 layers of 2x4 and after it was clamped I added a few thru bolts (3/8 threaded rod) down the length to assist the clamping. My calculations said I needed only 7 layers, but... Put the beam inside the shed and under the sagging rafters, and used the beam with jacks on each end to lift the roof back to its original height. Put the supports under and fastened the beam into place, removed the jacks and trimmed it to length. Been 7 years and working great. It would have been good to have some original camber, but it hasn't noticeably settled.

[@SFX95901]

What glue did you use and were the bolts providing most of your clamping force? I’m not a structural engineer, but an engineer (designed diagnostic systems for Plasma Processing equipment, etch, CVD, etc) and always look for the engineering details about things. As a previous comment mentions (back in the day type thing), using steel strap or better, rods with threaded ends designed into your laminations down the length can pretension the length (and could be adjusted as needed if the threaded ends extend through holes on the end framing & brackets) - Just thinking/wondering out loud though - without simulation SW it is just in my head speculation about the force & loading

[@Sylvan_dB]

@@SFX95901 Used TiteBond II or maybe it was III - don't remember. Most of the clamping was done by an assortment of normal woodworking clamps - bar clamps and pipe clamps. Only had 18 clamps and with alternating sides due to the 3-1/2 in width of a 2x4 combined with the shallow throat of most clamps, that did not seem sufficient. Added 5 thru bolts using 3/8in threaded rod with fender washers and normal washers on each end (was what I had on hand) and redistributed clamps for even spacing. Was built on sawhorses. Glad I had put plastic down on the floor - lots of squeeze out. No lengthwise threaded rod or straps, but that is an interesting idea. I suspect building with a slight arch would be easier and more cost effective. Moving it the 1/4 mile from where I built it to the shed was fun.... Tied one end to my little tractor, and tied a hand truck under the other and down the road I went.

[@abuelitacaicedo3185]

So interesting!

[@markstipulkoski1389]

When you put a support in the middle of abeam, above that support, the top of the beam is now in tension and the bottom in compression. It's actually an easy thing to visualize if you just picture putting a heavy weight in the center of each segment and thinking about the curves they make. Outside radius = tension, inside radius = compression.

[@dandexinventor]

Very cool! Getting ready to build our own home in the desert and I'm thinking to check what considerations need to be applied for the 120F+ temps we get here occasionally, the 125F temps we get here and there, but more than that, the 6 or so months of 100F temps we consistantly get. The joints open up at siding when the heat shrinks the panels (removing moisture) no matter the quality and even mfr'd product is subject to this, so we have had to re-caulk our siding panel joints often.

[@TomCrockett-bl1gp]

Probably hotter than that in the attic

[@sebastienloyer9471]

❤🎉 great information ℹ️

[@chucklenz9011]

Interesting and design positive.

[@garnetfunk1562]

I love glulam

[@richard8181]

Good info

[@toddroot1757]

My plan is to use glulams as the rafters in my great room with t&g pine on top

[@davidjester7175]

About the only time we end up using Glulams around here-southwest VA-is in treated form for deck beams. Not sure why, because there’s been many a time I’ve been assembling a 2 or 3 ply LVL beam and wished we could have gotten the thing in one piece,” but you work with what they send you, right?

[@JustinTBowen]

You do a great job of explaining, and you build a beautiful product. I build multi-use apartment buildings in Indiana and we use steel on the first floor. This has me wondering if we could substitute glulams in spots and leave them exposed. Great episode, thank you.

[@AwesomeFramers]

Thanks! Yeah, have your engineer take a look at it. See if you can get Rosboro out there. We've had great success with Rosboro glulams for parts of 3 decades now

[@sifis78]

thx

[@lagunafishing]

Traditionally the adhesive (glue) used in laminated wood was made from soy isolate - defatted soya beans!

[@johntuminello5206]

I remember making gluelams on job

[@jamesoncross7494]

How are they cost wise to steel? I always think that the glue won't last hundreds of years. What do I know though. I think it would be cool to put some steel in between layers of wood..

[@Guds777]

Better than steel. Almost fireproof, if it burns it gets protective carbon coating, but the steel will melt and can´t be used again, the cross laminated timber can still be used. But there is even better product out there then cross laminated timber, cross laminated Bamboo CLB. It is stronger then CLT. Is even more fire resistant then CLT. The best part is the Bamboo can grow almost to full length in a year. So you can produce more material then with wood. Impressive stuff...

[@ti3167]

Also I have never seen glulams, I always see LVL or PSL’s interesting to know they are more common or less common depending on what part of the country.

[@MRSketch09]

So I'm curious, when you order a glulam beam, do they come with very obvious markings, for which way you're supposed to turn them upward? I mean, I don't know if you've noticed, but the electrical wiring has been upgraded Color wise... it's become something of an industry standard for colors to indicate gauges, which I think is cool. Easy visual guide. Anyways thanks for doing the video. It was interesting. Especially since you added in the pictures as well.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Thank you for a very informative video. I remember these beams from the fifties and sixties as one of the architectural elements in the church buildings we attended. They were beautiful to see and the vaulted space they created were both functional and spacious. But I was surprised to see the layout of the individual components in a horizontal layout. (Of course they are!); I have gotten used to seeing the other “glulam” - LVL’s - on the market. Can you do a video on them also? Thanks again, Daniel

[@AwesomeFramers]

@@DanielinLaTuna planning on an LVL video and manufacturing tour

[@MadRat70]

So run a continuous metal strap across the bottom and all wood on top is compressed under load while the metal strap takes all the tension. Even a strap of 18 gauge steel on that largest beam probably increases your load carrying 3-4 times its previous capacity. Your bigger limitation is anchoring the metal strap at the endpoint moreso than expecting a central point of failure. Now run a load of pavers across the top to fixed anchor endpoints. The pavers absorb the compress load, then literally you load for compression is into those pavers. Steel loves tension, stone loves compression. Both handle loads about 1,000x better than wood.

[@trickyricky12147]

Thank you for the great information! Question, are traditional 2× materials no longer good enough when it comes to floor joists and roof ridge beams via code compliance? Not knocking the ever growing list of ground breaking stick framing construction technology that's out there nowadays. Just asking for a friend. Good to see there is a more cost friendly option unlike LVL too. That reminds me, this video made me realize what kind of wooden ceiling joist beams were used at the elementary school that I went to as a kid, and couldn't figure out exactly what beams they were since then for the life of me. They were GLULAMS all along. Lol.

[@royreynolds108]

Resorcenal glue is used for a lot of glulam.

[@sunalwaysshinesonTVs]

They do look purrrrty. Wish you could have explained what criteria they use to determine how a piece of DougFir is "better" vs another other piece.

[@AwesomeFramers]

@@sunalwaysshinesonTVs it's the grade of lumber

[@doscoronitas]

What area of study in engineering deals with wood framing homes? I think it would be a fun area to take classes.

[@unionse7en]

10,000 lbs of pressure*.... nope, force. Units matter! Good videos on this channel.

[@ryansoo4000]

Hello! Great video! At minute <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1030">17:10</a> you show a clip of you attaching roof rafters to the side of a glulam and the upper tip of the end of the rafter is sticking up above the top of the glulam. I thought that the entire bearing surface on the end of a rafter had to be against the side of a beam in order to provide proper structural support. Also, what are those infill blocks between the rafters and how do they work with when using an attic ridge vent? Finally, why would the addition of a post in the middle of a beam cause more uplift and where would the uplift occur?

[@jerrellbevers6071]

The rafters stick up so that when the plywood is applied, it will meet in the middle of the glulam from each side, breaking in the center of the ridge when it's all said and done. The pieces at the ends of the rafters appear to be pieces of glulam. We used to cut 3/4" pieces of plywood to put in there as a nailer, but there is a possibility that the I-joist can be ordered like that nowadays.

[@AwesomeFramers]

Good point, the bearing is important at the heel of the rafter, the top less so