Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is an engineered wood product made by bonding thin layers of wood veneers together with an adhesive. The grain of each veneer layer runs parallel to the neighboring layers, making LVL an incredibly strong and stable building material.

LVL offers several advantages over traditional solid lumber:

• It can be manufactured in long, straight, defect-free lengths not found in natural wood. This allows for longer spans and reduced joining in structural applications.
• The laminated construction prevents warping, twisting, and splitting as the material dries. This results in very predictable performance.
• LVL has exceptional strength-to-weight characteristics, with strength and stiffness higher than solid sawn lumber.
• LVL is a sustainable product, making use of fast-growing, plantation-grown wood species and efficiently converting raw resources into consistent, high-performing structural members.

LVL is commonly used for headers, beams, rim boards, scaffold planking, and other applications where high strength and reliability are needed. It is a popular choice for home construction, industrial buildings, commercial projects, and specialty structures like pedestrian bridges.

Several major manufacturers produce LVL in North America. Here is an overview of the top LVL brands and companies:

Weyerhaeuser

Weyerhaeuser is one of the largest forest products companies in the world. They manufacture LVL under the brand name Microllam. Some details:

• Microllam LVL is made from Douglas fir veneers.
• It is available in depths from 1-3/4″ to 18″ and lengths up to 60′.
• Microllam comes inBeam and Header grades for different structural applications.
• Weyerhaeuser has produced LVL since the 1960s, giving Microllam a long track record of proven performance.
• Microllam headers and beams are commonly used in home construction.

Boise Cascade

Boise Cascade is a large building materials manufacturer based in Idaho. Their LVL goes by the name Versetta.

• Versetta is made using an exclusive laminating process with one-piece veneer layers.
• The LVL is manufactured from Douglas fir and southern pine veneers.
• Boise Cascade offers Versetta in depths from 1-1/2″ to 18″ and lengths up to 60′.
• Versetta Beam, Header, Rimboard, and Stud products are available.
• Boise Cascade has decades of experience making LVL and maintains rigorous quality control standards.

Louisiana-Pacific

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) produces LVL under the name TopNotch. Details include:

• TopNotch is manufactured by laminating thin veneers of southern pine.
• LP offers TopNotch 350 Series LVL for headers, beams, and studs, rated for vertical and horizontal use.
• TopNotch is also available as industrial panels and scaffold planking.
• LP was an early pioneer in LVL production starting in the 1970s.
• TopNotch products are known for their structural integrity and workability.

Roseburg

Roseburg Forest Products manufactures a full line of LVL products:

• Roseburg LVL is made from Douglas fir or western hemlock veneers.
• Their LVL is available in depths from 1-1/2″ to 18″ and lengths up to 60′.
• Roseburg produces LVL in Beam, Header, Rim Board, and Industrial grades.
• Roseburg owns its own forests and mills, allowing control over raw material quality.
• Their LVL products have been extensively tested and analyzed to prove performance.

Georgia-Pacific

Georgia-Pacific is a leader in manufacturing building products. Their LVL brand is called WoodForce.

• WoodForce LVL uses southern pine veneers laminated under heat and pressure.
• Georgia-Pacific offers WoodForce Rim Board, Header, and Beam products.
• WoodForce is recognized for its structural integrity, dimensional stability, and reliability.
• Georgia-Pacific has produced LVL since the 1990s.
• WoodForce is used in both residential and commercial construction.

Nordic Lam

Nordic Lam manufactures custom LVL components and systems:

• Nordic Lam makes LVL members designed for specific applications, reducing waste.
• They fabricate tall wall panels, long spans, curved pieces, and complex connections.
• Nordic Lam’s LVL products can be ordered precut to length with joinery details.
• The LVL panels and timbers are engineered to client specifications.
• Nordic Lam’s manufacturing capabilities allow creative architectural designs.

Other Notable LVL Manufacturers

Several other companies produce quality LVL products in North America:

• Tolko Industries – LVPlus LVL
• MJB Wood Group – TimberStrand LVL
• Raute Corporation – Custom LVL manufacturing lines
• Structurlam – Mass timber LVL
• Frères Lumber Co. – ProLam LVL

Applications and Uses of Laminated Veneer Lumber

LVL has become a go-to material for many structural and non-structural building applications. Here are some of the most common uses for LVL:

Headers and Beams

One of the principal uses for LVL is as headers and beams to support floors, roofs, and other structural loads. LVL headers and beams can span farther and carry more weight than comparable dimensional lumber. LVL performs consistently without knots, splits, and warps. Common header and beam applications include:

• Floor headers
• Roof headers
• Garage door headers
• Porch headers
• Long span beams
• Built-up beams and columns

LVL headers and beams are available from the manufacturer pre-cut for standard opening sizes, making installation fast and easy.

Rim Boards

LVL makes an excellent rim board material to support floor joists and serve as the upper edge of a foundation wall. LVL rim boards provide:

• Consistent quality without defects
• Superior strength to prevent sagging
• Ability to span openings without headers
• Stable thickness that won’t shrink
• Straight, long lengths to minimize splices

Using LVL eliminates the need to double up standard framing lumber when constructing rim boards.

Wall Framing

While less common than sawn lumber studs, LVL can also be used to frame interior and exterior walls. LVL wall framing offers benefits like:

• Minimizing warping, twisting, and bowing
• Allowing framing of taller walls in single lengths
• Increasing framing layout flexibility
• Eliminating shrinkage gaps at joints
• Providing greater shear strength and rigidity

LVL studs and wall components reduce labor compared to lumber and can be insulated easily.

Roof Rafters

LVL is sometimes substituted for standard dimensional lumber rafters on long roof spans. Advantages include:

• Ability to achieve longer, straighter rafter lengths
• Avoiding mid-span splices
• Reducing the number of rafters required
• Allowing thinner rafter sizes
• Decreasing deflection

LVL rafters are lighter than built-up beams of equivalent strength.

Scaffold Planks

LVL makes sturdy scaffold planking with excellent stiffness, high strength, and good traction. Key benefits versus sawn lumber scaffold planks are:

• Greater resistance to cracks and splits
• Maintains thickness with less checking and cupping
• Lower density for reduced weight
• Less tendency to warp or bow when stacked
• Consistent structural capacity

LVL scaffold planking lasts longer and provides reliable elevated support.

Industrial Platforms

LVL is useful for fabricating sturdy catwalks, equipment platforms, staging, and mezzanines. Compared to traditional materials, LVL platform materials offer:

• Lighter weight for easier installation
• Smoother, more even surfaces
• Design flexibility for any shape or length
• Consistent strength and lifespan
• Resistance to cracks and defects
• Low maintenance needs

With proper design, LVL platforms can safely support workers and equipment for decades.

Specialty Applications

In addition to mainstream building uses, LVL is growing in popularity for more unique architectural and structural applications. These specialty uses include:

• Curved beams and walls
• Custom columns and posts
• Architectural panels and dividers
• Structural furniture and fixtures
• Bridges and boardwalks
• Sound barriers
• Signage and displays
• Recreational equipment

The combination of design flexibility, durability, and strength makes LVL an ideal material for innovative applications.

Grades and Standards

Laminated veneer lumber is manufactured to meet industry standards and design specifications. Following is an overview of LVL grades and the governing standards in North America:

Grades

LVL products fall into two general categories – structural and non-structural:

Structural Grades: Used for load-bearing elements like beams, headers, rim boards, and studs. Includes designations like Microllam LVL, TopNotch 350, and Versetta Beam.

Non-Structural Grades: For non-loadbearing parts like scaffold planks, industrial panels, architectural accents. Includes products like TopNotch Industrial and WoodForce Rim Board.

Within the two categories, manufacturers offer sub-grades optimized for different applications like two-way vertical use or one-way horizontal spanning.

Standards

LVL standards are set and regulated by:

• APA – The Engineered Wood Association: Issues ANSI standards and proprietary product specifications for LVL manufacturing and testing. Performs audits of LVL mills.
• ASTM International: Develops consensus standards related to LVL product manufacturing, testing methods, and applications. Often referenced in building codes.
• TECO: Third-party inspection agency that monitors LVL quality assurance and labeling practices.
• NIST: The National Institute of Standards and Technology has researched and published recommended guidelines for LVL design and engineering.

Compliance with these standards ensures the performance and safety of structural LVL products used in construction.

Structural Properties and Specifications

The laminated veneer construction gives LVL some excellent structural properties that make it ideal for applications like beams, headers, and studs. Here is an overview of key LVL physical and mechanical properties:

Density

LVL typically has a density between 42 and 51 pounds per cubic foot. This is up to 15% less dense than solid sawn lumber. The lower density yields a higher strength-to-weight ratio.

Dimensional Stability

LVL resists warping, bowing, and shrinking because the grain runs parallel through the laminations. It maintain its as-installed dimensions well.

Bending Strength

LVL has exceptional bending strength, or resistance to bending forces, thanks to its laminated structure. Bending strength values range from 2,600-5,400 psi.

Stiffness

The laminated veneers give LVL very high stiffness values of 1.6 to 2.0 million psi. This makes it highly resistant to deflection when loaded.

Tensile Strength

LVL exhibits excellent resistance to forces trying to pull it apart along the length of the grain. Typical tensile strength values are 2,900-4,800 psi.

Compressive Strength

The layered construction provides good resistance to compressive forces acting perpendicular to the plane of the laminations. Compressive strength is approximately 2,600 psi.

Shear Strength

With its laminated grain structure, LVL demonstrates shear strength properties ranging from 550-1,100 psi. This allows it to resist forces trying to slide layers over one another.

Knowing these engineering properties enables proper structural design with LVL. Always consult the manufacturer’s documentation for product-specific specifications.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

As an engineered wood product, LVL offers some sustainability advantages over traditional solid sawn lumber:

• Made from fast-growth plantation trees like southern pine
• Efficiently converts raw wood fiber into structural products
• Manufactured in straight, customized lengths to avoid waste
• No old-growth logging required
• Lower resource consumption per application due to strength
• Recyclable and renewable

LVL manufacturing does utilize adhesives in the lamination process. Most companies employ low-VOC, non-toxic adhesives that off-gas minimal emissions. These polyurethane and phenolic-based glues represent a small percentage of the total product content.

Compared to alternatives like concrete and steel, LVL has relatively low embodied carbon. And it continues to sequester carbon absorbed by the source trees throughout its service life.

Many LVL mills use wood residuals for energy generation. And end-of-life LVL can be recycled into mulch, animal bedding, engineered biofuels, and other products.

Overall, LVL represents an environmentally responsible option for structural and non-structural building applications. Specifiers and consumers should feel good about choosing this sustainable material.

Cost Considerations

LVL commands a price premium compared to dimensional sawn lumber due to the engineered nature of the product. However, this higher initial cost is usually offset by life cycle advantages stemming from LVL’s performance and consistency.

Estimated LVL Cost Range: $2.00 – $5.00 per board foot

LVL Price vs. Lumber: 25% – 75% more expensive depending on use

There are several factors that impact LVL cost effectiveness:

• Ability to achieve longer spans and spacing – reduces size and number of members
• Consistent quality with no hidden defects or need to overbuild
• Faster and easier installation than built-up members
• Pre-cut lengths and factory engineering to reduce waste
• Lower maintenance and repair costs over the service life

In most cases, LVL products provide compelling value thanks to lower life cycle costs, even with marginally higher upfront price. When priced competitively, LVL represents a smart long-term investment compared to traditional solid sawn lumber.

Quality Control and Certification

LVL manufacturers must adhere to strict quality control measures and product testing to achieve certification and building code compliance. This ensures a reliably engineered product for consumers. Some key aspects of LVL quality control include:

• Raw Material Selection: Veneer moisture content and wood characteristics are tightly controlled.
• Incoming Inspections: Each veneer layer is inspected for defects and bondability.
• Adhesive Application: Glue spread rates and assembly time checks ensure proper bonding.
• Dimensional Tolerances: Thickness, width, length, and straightness are continuously monitored.
• Appearance Grading: Finished panels and products are visually graded for quality.
• Mechanical Testing: Bending, shear, compression, and other tests verify design properties.
• QA Audits: In-house and third-party QA audits are conducted at regular intervals.
• Code Compliance: Building code and product standard compliance is mandated.
• Certifications: Trademarked names like Microllam and TopNotch denote certified products.

This battery of production checks and performance testing gives specifiers confidence in using LVL for structural loadbearing elements. The LVL brands and grades carry code approvals across North America.

Design and Engineering Considerations

When specifying LVL products, engineers should refer to technical design guides published by manufacturers and trade organizations. Here are some key design and engineering factors to consider:

• Product Selection: Choose the appropriate LVL grade for the intended use from manufacturers’ literature.
• Spans and Loads: Consult span tables or design software for sizing LVL members based on spans, spacing, and design loads.
• Connections: Review manufacturer guidance and code requirements for properly attaching LVL. Consider shear, withdrawal, and bearing capacities.
• Service Conditions: Account for factors like temperature, moisture, chemical exposure, and fatigue stress in the design.
• Finite Element Analysis: Advanced computer modeling can optimize LVL components for complex loadings.
• Deflection Criteria: Check deflection and vibration limits, especially for floors and longer spans.
• Buckling: Consider buckling resistance for slender LVL columns or heavily loaded ends.
• Fire Design: Specify required fireproofing systems and account for reduced capacities in fire conditions.
• Detailing: Call out all LVL specifications, connections, sequences, and features on plans.

Proper engineering ensures LVL performs safely and efficiently as designed. Always work with the manufacturer’s technical support for product-specific guidance.

Benefits and Advantages of Using LVL

LVL structural panels offer many compelling benefits that explain their popularity:

Consistent Quality

• LVL eliminates natural defects like knots, checks, and splits
• Manufactured to tight quality standards for consistent performance
• No need to overbuild to account for variable lumber properties

Excellent Strength

• Pound for pound stronger than solid sawn lumber
• Carries heavier loads over longer spans
• Laminated structure provides rigidity and resistance to impacts

Dimensional Stability

• Resists shrinking, cracking, warping, and deformation
• Maintains its as-installed dimensions for a precise fit
• Stable connections and smooth surfaces

Workability and Installation

• Arrives pre-cut to specified lengths and ready to install
• Smoother surface than sawn lumber speeds time on site
• Easy to cut, drill, bolt, and otherwise modify in the field

Appearance

• Smooth, blemish-free surfaces and edges
• Consistent light