The Greenest
Building Material
Glulam is
the generic term for a precisely engineered timber component. It is manufactured
by bonding together a number of timber boards to form a structural component
of great strength and dimensional stability.
Environmentally
friendly
A steel beam which has the equivalent
performance of a softwood glulam beam requires six times the energy cost
to produce. A comparable reinforced concrete beam requires five times
the energy cost. When you consider the pollutant byproducts of these processes,
glulam becomes even more environmentally friendly.
A glulam beam may be 20% lighter than a steel beam, and up to 600% lighter than a concrete beam of equal strength.
Its fire performance is predictable because timber chars at a slow and known rate (40mm per hour for European Whitewood) and, more importantly, it retains its structural integrity.
Extremely
resistant to chemical attack
Timber, and the adhesives
used in glulam production, have a remarkable resistance to chemical attack.
As well as swimming pool halls, it is often the preferred structural material
for salt barns, water treatment plants, and other similar structures.
Energy
efficient
The
insulation properties of timber eliminate the risk of cold-bridging through
the structure, which helps reduce fuel bills.
Durable
With
good maintenance, its life is unlimited when correctly installed.