Other Glulam Building Materials
Building Materials
• Douglas Fir, And More
• Fabrication, Milling
• Lumber: Net, Nominal
• Plywood: OSB, Struct-1
• I-Joist, Rimboard, Treated LVL
Understanding Glulam Plywood, Rimboard, and Treated LVL
In modern construction, engineered wood products are widely used for their strength, consistency, and efficiency. Three key materials—Glulam plywood, rimboard, and treated LVL—play important roles in framing, load distribution, and structural durability. While each serves a different purpose, they all share the benefit of being engineered for predictable performance in demanding applications.
1. Glulam Plywood
What It Is:
Glulam plywood is not a standard term in the industry—often, “glulam” (short for glued laminated timber) refers to large structural beams made from multiple layers of dimension lumber bonded with durable adhesives. When the term is combined with “plywood,” it typically means a plywood-faced glulam beam or a laminated veneer lumber (LVL)-style product with plywood skins for added stability.
Primary Uses:
Support beams in residential and commercial buildings
Long-span roof or floor members
Decorative exposed beams (due to smooth finish)
Key Advantages:
High strength-to-weight ratio
Excellent dimensional stability
Can be custom manufactured to curved or straight profiles
Often more environmentally efficient than solid sawn timber because it uses smaller pieces of wood
Considerations:
Requires proper sealing if used in exposed, exterior environments
Typically more expensive than standard lumber
2. Rimboard
What It Is:
Rimboard is a solid engineered wood product that fits between sill plates and floor joists in framing systems. It acts as the perimeter frame around floor systems, providing lateral stability and load transfer. Rimboard is typically made from laminated veneer lumber (LVL), laminated strand lumber (LSL), or oriented strand board (OSB).
Primary Uses:
Closing in the open ends of joists in platform framing
Transferring vertical and horizontal loads between floors and walls
Providing a nailing surface for siding, sheathing, or flooring edges
Key Advantages:
Engineered for precise dimensions to match joist depth
Resists splitting and warping compared to sawn lumber
Maintains structural integrity over the life of the building
Considerations:
Must be properly protected from moisture to prevent swelling or decay
Not designed for heavy point loads without reinforcement
3. Treated LVL
What It Is:
Treated laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is an engineered wood product made by layering thin sheets of wood veneers with waterproof adhesives, then pressure-treating the final beam for decay and insect resistance. The treatment makes it suitable for outdoor or high-moisture environments.
Primary Uses:
Porch and deck beams
Exterior header beams
Structural members in basements or crawl spaces prone to moisture
Marina or dock framing
Key Advantages:
High structural strength with uniform quality
Resistant to rot, fungus, and termite damage after treatment
Long spans possible without warping or twisting
Considerations:
Typically heavier than untreated LVL due to added preservatives
Must be cut and drilled with caution to maintain treatment integrity
Higher cost compared to untreated LVL
Why These Products Matter in Construction
Using glulam beams, rimboard, and treated LVL improves construction quality by combining strength, dimensional stability, and predictable performance. These engineered materials reduce the risk of warping, splitting, or premature decay—issues common with traditional solid-sawn lumber.
When used correctly, they:
Increase load capacity and safety margins
Allow for longer, cleaner spans in architectural designs
Extend the lifespan of structures exposed to environmental stress