Comparing Glulam Houses to Traditional Timber Frames
Contractors have numerous options when selecting building materials, with one increasingly popular being glulam.
Glulam is composed of multiple wood laminations glued together with durable and moisture-proof adhesives for long-term bonding, creating structures of all shapes and sizes with durability, sustainability and aesthetic value.
Cost
Glulam is an innovative construction material that offers strength, versatility and environmental sustainability in one. When compared with traditional timber framing systems, it offers more design freedom as well as lower production and use carbon emissions – making it an excellent choice for builders and architects striving to attain LEED certification.
Glulam allows architects and designers to realize a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and curvilinear designs without needing additional support beams or structural elements. Furthermore, its strength-to-weight ratio allows architects and designers to build open spaces or impressive cantilevered cantilevers without additional support beams or components being required.
Since glulam is stronger than concrete, it can withstand large loads and be used to construct bridges and other monumental projects – an advantage architects and engineers looking to integrate timber frame architecture into their projects will appreciate.
Though initially more costly than other materials, glulam stands out as an outstanding value over time due to its superior quality and durability. Longevity reduces maintenance costs significantly while its lightweight nature can save on foundation costs while speeding construction times up. Furthermore, its natural insulation properties help contribute towards energy efficiency which in turn lower heating and cooling bills significantly.
Glulam is an environmentally-friendly building material, using less fossil fuel and producing more renewable forest products during production than steel and concrete structures. Furthermore, its manufacturing can boost local economies while creating green jobs in local communities.
Max Hanisch introduced glulam technology from Germany into the US in 1934, when he constructed his inaugural glulam project at an American community gym and school, featuring three-hinged arches with clear spans of 20 metres (64 ft).
Today, glulam is an integral component of modern residential construction. Thanks to its distinctive properties, designers can utilize its qualities to craft open-plan living areas that maximize natural light while creating a sense of space and openness. Many glulam projects also feature floor-to-ceiling glazing which adds depth and visual interest. When protecting frames during their build process it must be done so carefully; once all fixtures and fittings have been installed they should only be unwrapped once complete in order to prevent marks or stains which could damage them in future projects.
Durability
Glulam is an extremely strong and resilient material due to its combination of modern engineering techniques with traditional woodworking. Composed of small slats of wood bonded together using weatherproof structural adhesive, Glulam stands up well to weather-related damage as each individual slat is dried individually – the result being an ultra-durable timber frame which outwits other construction materials like concrete and steel.
Glulam allows for larger spans and more intricate designs than are impossible with traditional timber framing, sourcing wood from sustainable forests that contributes to a healthier environment and supports environmentally conscious construction practices. Furthermore, its superior fire resistance makes glued laminated timber an invaluable choice when housing vulnerable populations such as schools or hospitals.
One of the most exciting applications for glulam is its use in architecturally striking, exposed designs. It can add drama and open spaces while still providing strength and durability. Furthermore, glulam can also be utilized in more discreet applications, including purlins and ridge beams – perfect for roof systems, garage door headers and floor beams.
To design a glulam structure successfully, architects should consult structural engineers. Engineers can recommend the type of glulam that best meets project needs as well as load-bearing capacity and other design details. Furthermore, engineers may help project owners locate suitable manufacturers.
Once a glulam is ready to be installed, it must be protected during its construction process from potential damage. For instance, its parts close to other work must be carefully covered with plastic to shield it from moisture and other factors which could potentially cause irreparable harm.
Glulam is an innovative construction material that harnesses the inherent strength and beauty of timber to create an eco-friendly material with reduced carbon emissions. Pound for pound, it outweighs steel in strength; with high strength and stiffness characteristics allowing architects and engineers to use this material in diverse forms from residential beams and headers to domed roof arches.
Aesthetics
When building with glulam, there are multiple options for customizing its aesthetic: leave the beams exposed or apply stains, paints or clear coatings to preserve their natural wood appearance – either way creating an eye-catching visual that connects builder and occupant to nature while elevating the overall aesthetic of the structure. Furthermore, glulam is easy to work with on-site cutting capabilities making it a highly efficient construction material.
Glulam is an engineered wood material composed of lumber laminations (lams) bonded together using moisture-resistant adhesives so their grains run parallel with one another along its length, creating a strong, stiff material capable of being bent into curvilinear shapes by architects for creating dramatic spaces.
Due to glulam’s strength and lightweight characteristics, its use as building material is much more cost-efficient than with traditional materials such as brick. This results in lower foundation costs as well as decreased labor expenses when used instead. Therefore, buildings constructed using glulam tend to be constructed more economically than ones using more traditional building methods.
Glulam stands out as an eco-friendly construction material with both cost-efficiency and durability, as well as being made from renewable, locally sourced materials harvested from sustainably managed forests. Furthermore, its natural insulating effect helps lower heating and cooling costs–making glulam an appealing option for environmentally aware builders.
Gulam as a structural material requires very minimal upkeep throughout its lifespan; simply regular inspections and occasional cleaning will suffice to preserve its structural integrity; other common building materials require more frequent attention for repair and upkeep.
Carpenter Oak’s team has been actively engaged with various beautiful projects featuring glulam frames. Our projects include an extension made out of modern black oak glulam as well as an update on traditional English black oak barn. In addition, we have worked on chestnut and oak glulam homes as well as moe (woodsy) cabins which challenge assumptions that seclusion from nature equates to reduced environmental impacts.