Comparing Glulam to Cross Laminated Timber CLT
Glulam and CLT are engineered wood products commonly used in mass timber construction. Both utilize lamellas or lamstock that are secured using adhesives to form lamellar structures.
The main distinction between them lies in their respective lamella orientation; CLT lamellas can be set perpendicularly giving CLT greater bending strength in all directions.
What is Glulam?
Glulam (glued laminated lumber) is an engineered wood product consisting of several dimension lumber lams bonded together using moisture-resistant adhesives, usually from Douglas-fir and/or SPF species of wood, usually produced kiln dried and stress tested before being assembled into beams and columns with either straight, curved, arched, or even floating members. All glued-laminated timber produced in Canada uses waterproof glues for end jointing and face bonding to make this an ideal material for interior as well as exterior use.
Production of glulam requires stringent quality controls at every stage. Fabrication involves using a high-pressure, mechanized press that can produce extremely tight tolerances on lumber dimensions. Finger-jointed pieces must then be kiln dried prior to being stress tested before glueing; all end joints must also meet stringent standards set out by CSA O177 Qualification Code for Manufacturers of Structural Glued Laminated Timber which outlines necessary procedures related to equipment, lumber grading, end joining and gluing procedures.
Solid sawn timber is limited by its individual pieces, while glulam is significantly stronger due to lamination process. Furthermore, this allows for larger section sizes and lengths than would otherwise be possible with solid sawn timber.
Glulam is commonly employed for long-span bridges and large buildings in climate-specific regions, often preservative treated to ensure its long-term performance, although in cases without ground moisture issues it may also be left untreated and advised by its manufacturer as to a suitable level of protection.
What is CLT?
CLT (Ceramic Laminated Timbers) are engineered wood products crafted by combining multiple pieces of kiln-dried dimension lumber at right angles to each other and then glued together, producing structural panels of various sizes. Their outer layers tend to be vertical for maximum load capacity while inner layers may either orient horizontally or longitudinally depending on application needs.
CLT can be utilized in numerous construction projects, from multistory buildings and bridges to long-spanning floor and roof systems. Furthermore, this material offers significant environmental advantages as it comes from renewable wood that has been harvested responsibly. CLT stands out as an eco-friendly alternative as it uses less fossil fuel in production while producing lower greenhouse gas emissions over its lifespan than concrete and steel buildings.
The structural properties of glulam make it an excellent material for building bridges and waterfront structures, as its timber material naturally resists corrosion from salt used to de-ice roads. Furthermore, glulam’s versatility allows it to be designed into unique shapes for large-span buildings such as high rise structures.
Glulam is an ideal material for seismically resilient building designs, as it can withstand strong ground motions without suffering significant deformation. Furthermore, its fireproof and chemical resistance make glulam suitable for many public projects in B.C. from pedestrian bridges to supermarkets and school buildings; when being constructed for these structures glulam is typically given an added layer of protection by way of moisture protection treatments that keep out environmental elements.
What is the Difference Between the Two?
Both glulam and CLT are forms of engineered wood construction material that are considered sustainable construction solutions. Both make use of renewable timber resources while decreasing our dependence on finite building materials such as concrete and steel; additionally they’re durable enough to meet or surpass standard commercial building codes with appropriate treatments.
Glulam, also known as Laminated Veneer Lumber or LVL for short, is made by adhering thin veneers together using adhesives to form an engineered timber product. Glulam can be found in beams, columns and trusses within buildings as structural components due to its strength in both tension and bending – it can even withstand large loads over long spans without becoming bent or deformed! Glulam often replaces metal studs or concrete for its use in complex shapes not easily achieved with conventional lumber or trusses alone!
CLT, like glulam, consists of timber lamellas bonded together using adhesive to form an engineered wood product with greater strength and durability than its timber equivalent glulam. However, unlike its counterpart, layers do not align in one direction – hence the term „cross laminated timber”. This provides strength both horizontally and vertically giving CLT more versatility by offering 2-way span capabilities similar to concrete slabs – an example being Brock Commons Tallwood House located near San Antonio which took full advantage of this feature
Both Glulam and CLT are durable materials suitable for interior and exterior cladding applications, both being resistant to moisture and insects as well as being treatable with various preservatives for added protection. In outdoor applications however, both materials should be protected to avoid direct water contact;
What are the Advantages of Glulam?
Glulam is an eco-friendly building material that combines strength and aesthetics. Crafted into long, tapered beams it adds character and visual interest to wooden-framed construction projects. Steel’s limited visual options restrict designers, while glulam allows more aesthetically interesting designs to emerge.
Contrasting with CLT, which relies solely on one orientation for strength, glulam offers strength in all directions for support structures like trusses and columns. This two way spanning capability was put to good use at Brock Commons Tallwood House as well as other wooden-framed buildings utilizing this material. Furthermore, being lighter than steel allows easier installation as well as projects to be built on more compact foundations.
As an added benefit, glulam is more environmentally-friendly than steel production processes; being made from locally harvested lumber which reduces carbon emissions during its manufacturing. Steel requires mining operations as well as energy intensive manufacturing processes.
Glulam’s advantage over steel lies in its superior strength-to-weight ratio. At three times stronger, glulam can withstand three times greater tension forces without twisting or warping, making it ideal for long span and curved structures where resistance to axial forces are essential.
Finally, glulam is an impressive natural material that adds warmth and charm to any structure. Easily finished with various stain colors, paint finishes, or clear coatings, glulam offers more choices in terms of both texture and hue than its steel counterpart.
What are the Advantages of CLT?
Both glulam and CLT are strong materials with excellent load-bearing capabilities that are suitable for structures of all kinds, while remaining sustainable by using timber from responsibly managed forests. When compared with concrete, both are stronger, lighter, more eco-friendly materials; fabrication times can be reduced significantly while they also produce less greenhouse gasses during production.
Glulam is composed of individual wooden lamellas known as lamstock that are joined with a durable adhesive under pressure to form large structural components like beams, columns and trusses. Glulam’s versatility in design enables both curved and straight configurations, and enhanced architectural aesthetics with exposed wood surfaces; furthermore it can be coated in various ways for exterior use to extend durability and beauty further.
Comparative to concrete, Glulam may be more cost-effective for small and medium sized buildings due to its lighter weight – significantly lowering construction costs and production and assembly time efficiency.
Glulam can create an impressive, visually appealing roof framework to complement any building, featuring beautiful decorative features like painted, oiled or decorated stain to add flair and charm. In addition, its impressive strength and durability makes Glulam the ideal material for exterior rails and balustrades that withstand weather conditions without decay or degradation over time – plus with so many timber species to choose from there’s sure to be something suitable for every project!