Cox Lumber - Engineered Lumber Beams

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Engineered Lumber Beams

Glulam Beams and Headers

Using I-Joist Compatible Glulam

When the depth of the glulam matches the depth of the I-1/2", 11-7/8", 14" and 16" to match the depths of I-joists used in residential construction. This allows ceilings to be framed flush with no need for extra furring out.

Using Glulam For Floor Beams

The superior strength of glulam allows longer clear spans than solid-sawn lumber. Because glulam is manufactured from kiln-dried lumber, shrinkage and warping are minimized. In addition, glulam beams have excellent fastener-holding capability, which means a firm subfloor with minimal nail popping or squeaks.

Using Glulam For Headers

Glulam headers can easily span distances long enough to allow garage door openings for two or three cars. And because they are cut to length when you buy them, you pay only for the length you need &endash; nothing is wasted.

Additional Benefits Include Shear Wall Performance

Full-length glulam headers at an end-wall provide an excellent nailing surface for structural wood panels, which help tie the beam to wall framing members on either side of the garage door opening to improve bracing. This construction method also adds rigidity and improves resistance to wind and earthquake loads by effectively creating a narrow shear wall.

Using Glulam For Ridge Beams

The open, airy designs and high ceilings common in residential construction today make glulam the perfect choice for ridge beam applications. They can span long distances and carry virtually any design load. Sloping glulam rafter beams are the perfect complement to ridge beams in exposed applications.

Builder Tips For Glulam Applications

APA EWS trademarked glulam beams must be stored properly and handled with care to assure optimum performance. In the yard or on the job site, a well-drained covered storage location is recommended. Keep glulam members off the ground with lumber blocking, skids or rack systems. Beams should remain wrapped to protect them from moisture, dirt, sunlight, and scratches. Cut slits in the bottom of the wrapping to allow ventilation and water drainage.

Protection With Sealants and Wrappings

Beams may be protected with sealants, primers or paper wrap when they leave the manufacturing plant.

Sealants on the ends of beams help guard against moisture penetration and checking, so a coat of sealant should be applied to the ends of any beams trimmed or otherwise cut in the field. Surface sealants, which can be applied to the top, bottom, and sides of beams, resist dirt and moisture and help control checking and grain raising. Use a penetrating sealant if beams will be stained or given a natural finish. A primer coat also protects beams from moisture and dirt and provides a paintable surface.

Water-resistant wrappings are another way to protect beams from exposure to moisture, dirt and scratches during transit, storage and erection. Because sunlight can discolor beams, opaque wrappings are recommended. Beams can be wrapped individually, by the bundle or by the load. If it is necessary to remove portions of the wrapping during the erection sequence to facilitate making connections, remove all of the wrapping to avoid uneven discoloration due to exposure to the sun.

Loading And Handling

Glulam beams are commonly loaded and unloaded with a fork lift. For greater stability, the sides of the beams, rather than the bottoms, should rest on the forks. Supporting extremely long beams on their sides, however, can cause them to flex excessively, increasing the risk of damage. Use multiple forklifts to lift long glulam members. If a crane with slings is used to load or unload beams, provide adequate blocking between the cable and the member. Use wooden cleats or blocking to protect corners. Only non-marring fabric slings should be used to lift glulam beams. Using spreader bars can reduce the likelihood of damage when lifting especially long beams with a crane.

Transporting Glulam Beams

When transporting beams, stack them on lumber blocking or skids. Beams can rest o撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈撈

Glulam Beams and Headers Using I-Joist Compatible Glulam When the depth of the glulam matches the depth of the I-1/2", 11-7/8", 14" and 16" to match the depths of I-joists used in residential construction. This allows ceilings to be framed flush with no need for extra furring out.
Using Glulam For Floor Beams The superior strength of glulam allows longer clear spans than solid-sawn lumber. Because glulam is manufactured from kiln-dried lumber, shrinkage and warping are minimized. In addition, glulam beams have excellent fastener-holding capability, which means a firm subfloor with minimal nail popping or squeaks.
Using Glulam For Headers Glulam headers can easily span distances long enough to allow garage door openings for two or three cars. And because they are cut to length when you buy them, you pay only for the length you need &endash; nothing is wasted.
Additional Benefits Include Shear Wall Performance Full-length glulam headers at an end-wall provide an excellent nailing surface for structural wood panels, which help tie the beam to wall framing members on either side of the garage door opening to improve bracing. This construction method also adds rigidity and improves resistance to wind and earthquake loads by effectively creating a narrow shear wall.
Using Glulam For Ridge Beams The open, airy designs and high ceilings common in residential construction today make glulam the perfect choice for ridge beam applications. They can span long distances and carry virtually any design load. Sloping glulam rafter beams are the perfect complement to ridge beams in exposed applications.