Glulam is the popular name for glued laminated timber whereby aesthetically attractive structural timber components of large cross-section and long lengths can be fabricated from small cross-section boards (laminates) in commercial sizes. A glued laminated component comprises small cross-section boards, laid up so that the grain is parallel to the longitudinal axis, in contrast with plywood where the grain is alternately parallel and perpendicular.

The laminates are end-jointed by the process of finger jointing and therefore each individual laminate acts as a continuous structural element. Beams wider than the normal commercially available laminates can be manufactured by edge-gluing after finger jointing. The lay-up of these wide laminates is arranged so that the edge joints are staggered about the central vertical axis of the component. Specialist manufacturers will produce laminated components in the size, section and profile required. Most manufacturing companies employ design engineers who will undertake any necessary detailed design calculations and advise on constructional detail.

The Renewable Resource

A small percentage of materials used in building construction can be recycled but timber is the only renewable building material. The planting rates in Scandinavia are controlled to ensure growth exceeds harvested quantities. In these countries there is more standing timber than at any time since the ice age. This cycle of felling and planting is very beneficial to the atmosphere as it is only during growth that a tree absorbs CO² and gives off vital oxygen. Once a tree is mature this process virtually stops.