How to Renovate and Extend Existing Homes With Glulam
Strong glulam beams form the basis for many remodeling and home addition projects in British Columbia. Constructed using stress-rated engineered wood lams kiln dried before being laminated together using adhesives designed to withstand moisture, these beams feature grain lines running parallel with each piece bonded together with durable moisture-proof adhesives bonded along their lengths for an elegant appearance.
Careful consideration must be given when designing an exterior glulam structure that will be exposed to weather, as its integrity must remain intact. Learn what steps can be taken to maintain its condition.
Glulam Beams
Glulam (glued laminated timber) is an engineered wood construction material that has revolutionized modern construction. Constructed by adhering layers of timber together using adhesives, glulam beams offer superior strength and stability that can be tailored to specific design requirements. At home they may be used to create open floor plans with large window openings; in commercial buildings glulam beams may be employed for long span roof construction or as architectural features that require strength as well as aesthetic appeal.
Glulam framing stands out from traditional solid-wood framing by being capable of covering greater distances without needing intermediate support, making it perfect for creating open spaces tailored specifically to each project’s individual requirements. When combined with steel I-beams, glulam can even achieve longer spans than would otherwise be achievable using traditional framing materials.
Glulam is not only strong and durable; it’s also environmentally sustainable. Crafted from renewable resources that can be recycled or re-used at the end of its useful life, manufacturing takes place under controlled environments with humidity controlled manufacturing environments to produce it, while resource usage is managed. Furthermore, using glulam reduces building costs through less material waste production and energy use compared with alternative building methods.
Gulam beams can be found both new construction projects and remodels alike; however, their use in existing structures is particularly effective. When combined with traditional wood ceilings for instance, they create an appealing yet authentic space – leaving exposed or concealed, glulam beams can match existing design schemes perfectly; alternatively they can even be painted or stained to give each room its own individual aesthetic.
Homeowners also find glulam an affordable choice when renovating and expanding their homes, thanks to its ease of use and accessibility at local lumberyards in stock sizes and I-joist compatible depths. Common uses for glulam include garage door headers, floor girders and cantilever beam systems.
Selecting an ideal type of glulam for any project depends on several considerations, including load and span requirements, desired aesthetic preferences, available resources and more. Douglas Fir glulam tends to be more costly than Yellow Pine but offers superior strength and durability.
Glulam Columns
Glulam columns serve as vertical load-bearing elements in timber frame homes and other designs with open, airy spaces. Constructed from lumber graded to match their surroundings and sized accordingly to handle expected loads, glulam columns may also include notches or special cuts that require approval by an engineer of record.
As opposed to beams, which must bear heavy lateral loads as well as supporting the weight of their structures above them, glulam columns are designed primarily for compression. As a result, their dimensions must accommodate this purpose – meaning larger diameter and heavier sectional dimensions than a typical beam might require. In some designs columns can even be made out of higher strength lumber to decrease cross-sectional dimensions or increase compression capacity.
Due to their dimensionally stable properties, glulam is an ideal material for floor and roof framing applications. When used instead of traditional joists, glulam creates large open interior spaces without any support beams obstructing them while still meeting structural integrity requirements. Furthermore, its flexible nature enables it to bend around corners to form dramatic vaulted ceilings for added space in interior spaces.
As a general guideline, any exposed glulam should be protected against the elements with an effective preservative treatment. Exterior glulam may require capping pieces to shield its ends from weathering and moisture intrusion as well as regular maintenance plans to remove any fallen debris that could compromise its structural integrity.
Glulam floor beams can be installed either below the floor joist cavity or left exposed for aesthetic reasons. When choosing to conceal them beneath a floor joist cavity, however, it’s often preferable that any mill scale or other surface imperfections be removed prior to installation by sanding.
As glulam floor beams are often transported as bundles, they should be lifted by using equipment rated to support its weight; in particular, a skid loader or forklift should be utilized to avoid columns tipping during transport.
Glulam Purlins
Glulam is most often seen used for exposed applications like vaulted ceilings and designs with large open spaces; however, its versatility also lies behind-the-scenes as purlins, ridge beams, garage door headers, floor beams and cantilevers. Engineered for strength, resilience and durability glulam is stress tested and manufactured according to precise standards allowing designers plenty of design freedom and options when it comes to design flexibility. Featuring four appearance categories (premium architectural industrial framing etc), it offers design flexibility glulam stands as the go-to material when structural integrity meets visual appeal!
Comparable to traditional timbers, glulam is a superior building material as it can span greater lengths without needing hidden steel elements, accommodating more complex architectural designs with ease. Furthermore, its flexibility enables designers to create curvilinear forms not easily accomplished using standard trusses; additionally it contributes to more eco-friendly construction practices as many prefab pieces are prefabricated at factories reducing waste and disruption on-site.
Oak glulam extensions are a popular choice for contemporary extensions, offering an elegant yet durable frame that works in harmony with traditional oak homes. Carpenter Oak recently completed a project which fused an existing English black oak country house with a new extension featuring floor to ceiling glazing and cantilevers; click here to find out more!
Although glulam is generally more durable than most woods, it still requires care in managing moisture to ensure its long-term durability when exposed to weather conditions. To increase longevity of structures made with glulam it’s essential that moisture management plans be implemented throughout their lifespan as well as applying protective finishes as required.
Glulam Ceilings
Glulam serves many functions in an existing home, from framing structural support to ceilings. When used as ceiling material, glulam can either be left exposed or concealed depending on desired aesthetic – for instance in isARK Studio’s Austin Texas farmhouse renovation, raw glulam beams stand out against its weathered wood original ceiling and feature raw glulam beams contrasting against them; similarly in their entryway renovation using cantilevered skylight framing glulam frames are an impressive feature.
Glulam lumber offers several advantages over sawn timber products: It does not suffer from fluctuations in moisture content that lead to swelling or splitting; furthermore, its laminated construction means it can handle heavy loads while maintaining structural integrity; furthermore, its high strength-to-weight ratio makes cantilevering easier as well as larger openings and cantilevers.
As glulam is manufactured using renewable materials, its carbon footprint is lower than both concrete and steel construction projects; making glulam an eco-friendly choice that contributes to green building certifications.
As with any building material, glulam requires careful installation to ensure its safety and durability. Therefore, it is imperative to hire an experienced contractor when installing it on site. In addition, protecting it from moisture damage during construction by wrapping it with protective covering should also be practiced as soon as it arrives at site prior to being assembled on-site.
Although glulam can be used for almost any structure, its most frequent application can be seen in homes and commercial buildings with an industrial modern aesthetic. Builder are drawn to it for its ability to create large uninterrupted spaces while still delivering the strength and beauty of wood, making glulam an excellent choice in schools, churches, and city buildings that need both durability and design flexibility. Furthermore, its curved forms offer unparalleled architectural flexibility for creating unique shapes.