When designing your custom home, the considerations for what to build your home out of can be challenging. Our design service wants to make these considerations at the beginning of your process. This article will discuss beams; costs, market history, and performance.
First up is 'gluelams vs. LVL'. These innovative material is not only reshaping the way we build homes but also redefining the very essence of timeless beauty and sustainable living. In this article, we delve into the history of gluelam, its journey from the West Coast to New England, its economic viability, and its potential to revolutionize the way we think about home construction.
Gluelam is short for glue laminated timber. You can see below how beautiful the wood grain and consistent horizontal nature of the beam is.
(image of 'Gluelams' from Forest Products Supply Co., See Rosboro Technical PDF for more product information on the product in the image)
LVL is short for Laminated Veneer Lumber. You can see why we wouldn't want to keep these exposed.
(image of 'LVL' from Boise Cascade Co., See LVL Versa-Lam by Boise Cascade for more product information on the product in the image)
Secondly, let's point out what we will compare the costs against. A glue-laminated beam is beautiful and is something that can be left exposed, to be viewed from the inside of your home. Many modern homes tend to show the structure as part of the visual experience of balance and beauty. In comparison, many builders for shingle style homes utilize a different kind of lumber known as LVL. This lumber is not visually something you want to see, so it gets covered by the ceiling system or hidden in walls. The appearance of this type of beam is like looking at plywood. This is why we recommend gluelams over LVL.
1. Costs, Economic Viability, and Growth Potential:
One of the major concerns when considering any construction material is its cost-effectiveness. Gluelam proves its worth on this front well. First, the upfront costs for gluelam made from Fur and Spruce trees may range from 10-30$ a linear foot. The average room size for a living room/ kitchen/ great room is 18-22' across. Additionally, the beam goes farther than the edge of the wall, to help the roof extend farther from doors and walls and drip water farther away. Assuming a bad deal, a single 26' glue lam beam might cost around 780$ (according to this homeguide.com article about framing material for homes). In comparison, a similar roofing assembly that uses LVL beams that would have to be hidden and not exposed might cost around 312$ (live cost data from Home Building Centre, CAN.). The typical project size of 2500-3000 square foot home may utilize six to ten glue lam beams as part of the visual structure. The design decision to show case beautiful wooden structural beams could be a difference as small as $3,000.
The long-term benefits far outweigh this investment. Stronger framing lumber means a stronger home that is resistant to sagging, or what engineers call deflection. As a home resists the forces of gravity, wind, and nature, the structure can bend ever so slightly. A more robust assembly may be well worth the peace of mind that your home will always look balanced.
Moreover, the current trends in construction, especially the growing use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and gluelam in multifamily and Type 3A construction, indicate a steady market demand. This demand not only fuels the growth of these innovative materials but also paves the way for their integration deep into residential project sector as the market for these materials deepens and stays competitive to meet demand.
2. The Genesis of Glue Laminated Timbers:
Glue laminated timber, or gluelam, emerged as a response to the need for large, structurally sound wooden components that could be utilized in construction for larger spaces than the typical size of a colonial room. This innovation can be traced back to the early 20th century when German engineers first experimented with laminating wooden strips together using durable adhesives. The result was a material that combined the strength and aesthetic appeal of wood with the versatility and stability required for large-scale construction projects.
A Shift from West to East. Historically, the popularity of gluelam was concentrated on the West Coast of the United States, where architects and builders embraced its structural prowess and design flexibility. However, a paradigm shift is underway, with New England emerging as a potential hotspot for gluelam adoption. Traditionally, New England homes are colonial in style and proportion- small rooms with concealed structure. With modern beliefs for more light and open spaces, homes in New England are often now created with concealed LVL. Essentially using modern building materials, but hiding them in ceilings and walls. The result over the last 20 years is a pioneering of a new evolution on the smallish, decorated, milled trim finish of classic New England homes. Yet, the growing interest in sustainable building practices and the aesthetic appeal of exposed timber have opened the market of gluelams in New England, opening the door for New England to embrace simple, well balanced modern designs.
3. Creating Timeless Beauty with Gluelam:
The allure of gluelam doesn't stop at its structural prowess and economic viability. The natural warmth and elegance of timber create inviting and timeless spaces that age with grace. The ability to craft soaring open spaces, expansive windows, and intricate designs with gluelam opens the door to architectural marvels that are both functional and visually stunning. As we look ahead, these spaces stand to become iconic in their own right, leaving a legacy of beauty and sustainability for generations to come.
Home owners also have the choice to select different types of food. Varieties of wood are used to create glue lams, with douglas fur being standard, home owners can also make choices such as selecting cedar wood ass an option for a true cedar ski house. Choose the color of your room by staining the beams, coordinating the ceiling, flooring, and wall colors into your personal masterpiece. Glue lams ultimate;y bring style, charm, and balance to any modern home.
Glue laminated timbers are more than just a construction material; they are a technological innovation that holds immense potential to reshape the way we build our homes. From their inception as a response to structural demands to their current role in shaping sustainable and visually appealing living spaces, gluelam represents the synergy between modernity and tradition. As the market for gluelam continues to expand, we can only look forward to a future where our homes are not just structures, but works of art that stand the test of time.
Check out our other post that reviews Modern Systems of the entire house:
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