Beam Comparison Tool

    Compare structural beam products side-by-side, Glulam, LVL, PSL, LSL, and Steel, by span, load capacity, depth, and manufacturer. No login. No catalog required.

    What You Can Compare

    Glulam

    Glued laminated timber. Long spans, architectural visibility. Available from multiple manufacturers.

    LVL

    Laminated Veneer Lumber. Consistent strength, ideal for headers, beams, and rim board.

    PSL

    Parallel Strand Lumber. High load capacity, column and beam applications. Weyerhaeuser Parallam®.

    LSL

    Laminated Strand Lumber. Headers, studs, and rim board. Cost-effective engineered option.

    Steel

    W-shapes and S-shapes. When wood won't span. Side-by-side with engineered wood alternatives.

    DF Timbers

    Douglas Fir solid sawn. Traditional framing for exposed applications and timber construction.

    How to Use the Beam Compare Tool

    01

    Select Products

    Choose beam types from the product library. Filter by manufacturer, material, or depth.

    02

    Set Parameters

    Enter your span, loading conditions, and bearing length. The tool calculates allowable loads automatically.

    03

    Compare Results

    View side-by-side results with color-coded pass/fail indicators. Export to PDF or Excel with Pro.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What beam types can I compare?

    Glulam, LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber), PSL (Parallel Strand Lumber), LSL (Laminated Strand Lumber), and Steel, all in one tool.

    Is this tool free?

    Yes. The standard Beam Compare tool is completely free with no login required. Pro features like PDF/Excel export are available with a subscription.

    How accurate is the data?

    Product data is sourced from manufacturer catalogs including Weyerhaeuser, Boise Cascade, and Louisiana-Pacific. Always verify with your local supplier for project-specific applications.

    Can I export my comparison?

    The Pro version supports PDF and Excel export. The free version lets you compare on-screen.

    What is the difference between Glulam and LVL?

    Glulam (Glued Laminated Timber) uses layers of dimensional lumber bonded together and is available in longer spans. LVL uses thin wood veneers and excels in consistent, predictable performance for headers and beams.

    Need help sizing a beam?

    Our design team can review your plans and recommend the right product. Start with a free consultation.

    Ready to build?

    Tell us about your project. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.

    Bardowl Timber Supply
    timber@bardowl.co
    Zac Mansker
    Founder, Bardowl

    Twenty-five years in lumber, engineered wood, and structural timber. Nineteen of them at the engineered design desk for one of the Midwest's leading wholesale lumber distributors.

    Bardowl, and every tool on this site, came out of that work.

    zmansker@bardowl.co|314-897-7649