Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is a type of engineered wood product that is made by bonding together thin layers of wood veneers with adhesives under heat and pressure. The resulting material is strong, durable, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for use in construction and building projects.
LVL is produced using a similar process to that used to make plywood but with some important differences. Instead of using whole sheets of wood, LVL is made from thin veneers that are typically 3mm to 6mm thick. These veneers are first peeled from logs or blocks of wood using a rotary lathe, and then they are dried, sorted, and clipped into uniform lengths.
The veneers are then assembled into a billet, with each layer running perpendicular to the layer below it. This creates a strong and stable material that is resistant to warping, twisting, or splitting. The billet is then bonded together using adhesives under high heat and pressure, resulting in a finished product that is strong, durable, and uniform in size and quality.
LVL is often used as a substitute for traditional timber products, such as sawn lumber or beams, due to its superior strength, durability, and consistency. It is used in a wide range of applications, including as structural supports, beams, joists, headers, and rim boards. It is also used in the manufacture of doors, windows, and furniture, as well as in the construction of bridges and other large-scale infrastructure projects.
Product Description of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
Full Pine LVL beam, LVL framing, LVL rafters or Strand lumber/Engineered lumber/Wood beam of engineered wood for LVL molding Structural LVL
HW structural laminated veneer lumber (LVL) has been manufactured in accordance with AS/NZS 4357 with properties determined in accordance with AS/NZS 4063.2 and therefore complies with the requirements for structural design in accordance with AS1720.1
HW LVL terminator is available in all sizes and is part of the Carter Holt Harvey Terminator range. HW H2-S Terminator is treated against termites south of the Tropic of Capricorn. The treatment is applied to the glue line during manufacture to achieve full termite protection to the core of the beam. No further sealing is required on cut ends, holes, or notches. Other treatment levels are available from suppliers on request, but treatment is limited to above-ground use. hySPAN cannot be readily treated for in-ground contact applications.
HW LVL is manufactured using an ‘A’ Bond with less than 0.5mg/l Formaldehyde (equivalent to E0) emissions from the final product.
laminated veneer lumber type structural lvl
For quality assurance, the HW range is manufactured with independent audit processes and product certification. Carter Holt Harvey ensures that its wood is legally sourced from managed forests and offers FSC’s Chain of Custody certification upon request.
HW LVL is produced with a structural grade face and is not generally used in appearance applications and at the time of dispatch from the manufacturing site has a moisture content of between 8-15%.
Size Range
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SIZE |
35mm |
45mm |
63mm |
75mm |
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90 mm |
A |
A |
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130 mm |
A |
A |
A |
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150 mm |
A |
A |
A |
A |
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170 mm |
A |
A |
A |
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200 mm |
A |
A |
A |
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240 mm |
A |
A |
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300 mm |
A |
A |
A |
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360 mm |
A |
A |
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400 mm |
A |
A |
A |
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450 mm |
A |
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525 mm |
A |
A |
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600 mm |
A |
Advantage of HW Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
1. High strength: LVL is stronger and more durable than traditional sawn lumber due to its manufacturing process, which bonds together multiple layers of thin wood veneers. This results in a material with a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for use in load-bearing applications.
2. Consistency: Unlike sawn lumber, which can vary in strength and quality depending on the species of wood and the cut, LVL is a uniform and consistent material. This makes it easier to work with and allows for more predictable performance in construction applications.
3. Resistance to warping and twisting: Because LVL is made up of multiple layers of wood veneers, each layer running perpendicular to the layer below it, it is much less prone to warping, twisting, or splitting than traditional sawn lumber.
4. Versatility: LVL can be cut, drilled, and shaped like traditional wood products, making it easy to use in a wide range of applications. It can be used as structural supports, beams, headers, and rim boards, as well as in the manufacture of doors, windows, and furniture.
5. Sustainability: LVL is an environmentally friendly building material, as it is made from sustainably harvested wood and can be recycled or repurposed at the end of its life.
6. Fire resistance: LVL is a non-combustible material, which means it does not contribute to the spread of fires in buildings.
Application of HW Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
LVL is particularly well suited to the following applications
Rafters and joists
Lintels, beams, and framing members
Truss chords
Portal frames
I-beams
Box-beams
Scaffold planks
Formwork
Panels of LVL are cut into structural members which have high strength and stiffness.
LVL is suited to structural applications such as beams, rafters, and columns in a wide range of buildings including houses, and commercial, industrial, and rural structures. Some special LVL has a small number of veneers laid perpendicularly (cross-banded).
In commercial or industrial structures it is often used as a wood-based alternative to structural steel or reinforced concrete.
Packaging and Containerization of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
FAQ
Q: What is LVL used for?
A: LVL is used in a wide range of construction and building projects, including as structural supports, beams, headers, and rim boards. It is also used in the manufacture of doors, windows, and furniture, as well as in the construction of bridges and other large-scale infrastructure projects.
Q: How is LVL made?
A: LVL is made by bonding together thin layers of wood veneers with adhesives under heat and pressure. The veneers are typically 3mm to 6mm thick and are peeled from logs or blocks of wood using a rotary lathe. They are then dried, sorted, and clipped into uniform lengths before being assembled into a billet with each layer running perpendicular to the layer below it. The billet is then bonded together using adhesives under high heat and pressure.
Q: What are the advantages of using LVL over traditional sawn lumber?
A: LVL has a number of advantages over traditional sawn lumber, including higher strength and durability, greater consistency, resistance to warping and twisting, and versatility in application. LVL is also more environmentally friendly and fire-resistant than traditional lumber.
Q: Is LVL more expensive than traditional lumber?
A: LVL can be more expensive than traditional lumber, but its strength and durability can make it a more cost-effective choice in the long run, particularly in load-bearing applications where traditional lumber may not be strong enough.
Q: Is LVL a sustainable building material?
A: LVL is made from sustainably harvested wood and can be recycled or repurposed at the end of its life, making it a more sustainable choice than many other building materials. Additionally, the production process for LVL generates less waste than traditional sawn lumber production.
