Glulam vs LVL: Which Beam Should You Use?
Both are engineered wood. Both carry loads. But they're made differently, priced differently, and solve different problems. Here's the honest comparison from someone who's specified thousands of each.
What They Are
Glulam (Glued Laminated Timber) is made from dimensional lumber laminations bonded with structural adhesive. It's available in Douglas Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir, and Alaska Yellow Cedar. Standard widths: 3-1/8", 5-1/8", 6-3/4".
LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) is made from thin wood veneers (typically 1/8" to 1/10") bonded with structural adhesive. Standard width: 1-3/4" per ply. Multi-ply beams are bolted or nailed together on site.
When to Use Glulam
- Exposed applications: Glulam is available in architectural appearance grades. LVL is not meant to be seen.
- Long spans (24'+): Glulam can be manufactured to virtually any length. LVL maxes out around 60' but is harder to find beyond 40'.
- Custom depths: Glulam is built to order. Need a 22" deep beam? No problem. LVL comes in standard depths.
- Curved members: Glulam can be curved during manufacturing. LVL cannot.
When to Use LVL
- Concealed headers and beams: If it's hidden in the framing, LVL is more economical.
- Consistent sizing: LVL has tighter dimensional tolerances than glulam, important for flush framing.
- Quick availability: LVL is stocked by most building material dealers. Glulam often needs to be ordered.
- Budget-sensitive projects: Per linear foot, multi-ply LVL is typically 15-30% less expensive than equivalent glulam.
Strength Comparison
At equivalent depths and widths, glulam and LVL are competitive in bending strength. A 24F-V4 DF glulam has an allowable bending stress (Fb) of 2,400 psi. A 2.0E LVL has Fb of 2,900 psi, but remember, the LVL is only 1-3/4" wide per ply, so you're comparing multi-ply LVL vs solid glulam.
The real comparison is total moment capacity at a given size, and our Beam Compare tool does this math for you.
Use Glulam when appearance matters. Use LVL when it's hidden in the framing. That's the 80/20 rule.
Compare Side-by-Side
Our Beam Compare tool lets you enter your span and load and see exactly which glulam and LVL products work. No catalog flipping required.
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