Glulam
ASTM ANSI/AITC A190.1 · EN 14080
Glulam is structural glued laminated timber: stress-graded laminations bonded with structural adhesive to EN 14080 (GL24h, GL28h, GL30h and GL32h homogeneous; GL24c and GL28c combined) or ANSI/AITC A190.1 (24F-1.8E), with beech (GL75-BEECH) and bamboo (BAMBOO-GL) layups also produced.
Reference datasheet — Glulam is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the GL24h condition
Glulam tempers and conditions
Glulam is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. GL24h is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North American softwood glulam | The standard US/Canadian bending combination (Fb = 24 000 psi allowable-basis, E = 1.8×10⁶ psi) for Douglas fir-larch beams. | 8 | 0.8 | 0.14 W/m·K | ||
Combined (layered) softwood glulam, fm,k = 24 MPa | Stronger laminations only in the outer zones — the economical choice for simple bending members loaded about the strong axis. | 17 | 0.75 | 0.12 W/m·K | ||
GL24hDefault Homogeneous softwood glulam, fm,k = 24 MPa | The default European strength class: all laminations of the same grade, best when the member is loaded in tension/compression or bending in both directions. | 19 | 0.8 | 0.13 W/m·K | ||
Combined (layered) softwood glulam, fm,k = 28 MPa | Most common European beam class: high-grade outer laminations over economical core, optimised for bending. | 20 | 0.75 | 0.12 W/m·K | ||
Homogeneous softwood glulam, fm,k = 28 MPa | Higher-graded laminations for more efficient beams and columns where deflection or bending capacity governs. | 22 | 0.8 | 0.13 W/m·K | ||
Homogeneous softwood glulam, fm,k = 30 MPa | Premium softwood class for long-span beams and heavily loaded frames where section depth is limited. | 24 | 0.8 | 0.14 W/m·K | ||
Homogeneous softwood glulam, fm,k = 32 MPa | Top softwood class from machine-graded high-stiffness laminations; used for the most demanding spans. | 26 | 0.8 | 0.14 W/m·K | ||
GL75h | Beech-lamination glulam for slender, heavily loaded members and long-span trusses where softwood sections become impractically large. | 60 | 0.9 | 0.17 W/m·K | ||
laminated bamboo lumber (GB/T 40247 class) | Moso-bamboo strip laminate used in China for beams, decking and architectural panels; higher density and strength than softwood glulam but more moisture-sensitive. | 80 | 1.2 | 0.18 W/m·K |
What is Glulam?
Glulam is structural glued laminated timber: stress-graded laminations bonded with structural adhesive to EN 14080 (GL24h, GL28h, GL30h and GL32h homogeneous; GL24c and GL28c combined) or ANSI/AITC A190.1 (24F-1.8E), with beech (GL75-BEECH) and bamboo (BAMBOO-GL) layups also produced. It is specified for long spans, curved beams and exposed architectural framing beyond solid-timber sizes, at 0.47 g/cm³ density, 11.5 GPa modulus and 19.2 MPa tensile strength. Adhesive and moisture limits keep service to about 50 °C and require detailing for the correct service class, and members are joined with steel plates and dowels rather than welds. LVL is the nearest alternative for straight, highly loaded members. Glulam has a density of 0.47 g/cm³ (0.017 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of natural material grades. Glulam has a tensile strength of 19 MPa (2.78 ksi), weaker than 53% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 11.5 GPa (1.67 Msi).
What is Glulam used for?
- Exposed structural beams
- Arches/domes
- Bridges
- Long-span roofs
- Columns
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 97% of natural material grades
- Lightweight — 0.47 g/cm³ (0.017 lb/in³), better than 80% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 99% of natural material grades
- Low fracture toughness — 0.4 MPa·√m (0.364 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of natural material grades
- Limited ductility — 0.8%, worse than 81% of natural material grades
Glulam properties
Typical room-temperature values for Glulam-GL24h; bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
Glulam has a density of 0.47 g/cm³ (0.017 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of natural material grades.
Mechanical10
Glulam has a tensile strength of 19 MPa (2.78 ksi), weaker than 53% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 11.5 GPa (1.67 Msi).
Thermal5
Glulam is rated for continuous service to 50°C (122 °F). It conducts heat at 0.13 W/m·K (0.0751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 57% of natural material grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Glulam has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), better than 69% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Glulam takes about 12 MJ of energy and emits 0.55 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability2
Glulam's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 97% of natural material grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Working with Glulam
Is Glulam easy to machine?
Cuts, drills and CNC-routes readily with carbide tooling; glue lines dull HSS quickly and dust extraction is essential.
Can Glulam be welded?
Not weldable — members are joined with slotted-in steel plates, dowels, screws or glued-in rods per Eurocode 5 / NDS.
Can Glulam be formed, bent or molded?
Curved beams are produced by bending thin laminations (typically t ≤ R/200) over a form and clamping while the adhesive cures under controlled temperature and humidity.
Glulam chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| cellulosesoftwood lamination wood substance | 40 – 47 | 43 |
| hemicellulose | 22 – 30 | 26 |
| lignin | 25 – 32 | 28 |
| extractives/ashresins, terpenes, minerals | 1 – 5 | 2 |
| structural adhesive (MUF/PRF/PUR)glue lines + finger joints, EN 301/EN 15425 Type I | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.2 |
| moistureEN 14080 requires 6–15 % at gluing | 8 – 15 | 12 |
| wood substance | balance |
What surface finishes work on Glulam?
Sand, then apply penetrating oil, alkyd/acrylic coating or fire-retardant/preservative treatment; end grain and exposed tops need flashing or capping.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Glulam in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- ANSI/AITC A190.1
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 14080
How much does Glulam cost?
Glulam is a standard-cost natural material ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Glulam — frequently asked
What is Glulam used for?
Glulam is typically used for exposed structural beams, arches/domes, bridges, long-span roofs and columns. In short: long-span structural timber; curved beams to shape; stronger than sawn timber.
What is the tensile strength of Glulam?
Glulam has a typical tensile strength of 19 MPa (2.78 ksi) — weaker than 53% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is Glulam easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 97% of natural material grades). Cuts, drills and CNC-routes readily with carbide tooling; glue lines dull HSS quickly and dust extraction is essential.
Can Glulam be welded?
Not weldable — members are joined with slotted-in steel plates, dowels, screws or glued-in rods per Eurocode 5 / NDS.
What surface finishes work on Glulam?
Sand, then apply penetrating oil, alkyd/acrylic coating or fire-retardant/preservative treatment; end grain and exposed tops need flashing or capping.
Can Glulam be formed, bent or molded?
Curved beams are produced by bending thin laminations (typically t ≤ R/200) over a form and clamping while the adhesive cures under controlled temperature and humidity.
What is the maximum service temperature of Glulam?
Glulam is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Glulam cost?
Glulam is a standard-cost natural material ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 14080:2013 Timber structures — Glued laminated timber and glued solid timber — CEN (2013)
- ANSI/AITC A190.1 Structural Glued Laminated Timber — APA/AITC (2017)
- Wood Handbook — Wood as an Engineering Material (FPL-GTR-190) — USDA Forest Products Laboratory (2010)
- Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-1/1-2) design values and thermal data — CEN (2004)
- Glulam beam technical data (GL24h/GL28c) — Moelven / Binderholz / Pollmeier BauBuche (2023)
- Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) v3 — glulam — Circular Ecology (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.