LVL
ASTM D5456 · EN 14374
LVL (laminated veneer lumber) is a structural composite of thin wood veneers bonded with the grain running parallel, qualified to ASTM D5456 and EN 14374 in stiffness grades such as 1.55E, 2.0E and 2.2E, plus cross-banded LVL-C and hardwood layups.
Reference datasheet — LVL 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 2.0E condition
LVL tempers and conditions
LVL is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. 2.0E is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cross-banded LVL | Specify the cross-banded layup, with some veneers laid at 90°, when the panel must carry load in both directions or resist shear and splitting: wall panels, floor decks, wide beam webs. | 27 | 0.7 | 0.13 W/m·K | ||
Economy / poplar-plantation LVL | Pick the economy poplar-plantation grade for formwork bearers, packing crates and furniture frames; it is the cheapest option but not for critical load-bearing members. | 30 | 0.9 | 0.12 W/m·K | ||
2.0EDefault Standard softwood structural LVL | Use the mainstream Fb ≈ 2600 psi structural grade for beams, headers and rim boards, where it gives the best balance of stiffness and price. | 42 | 0.8 | 0.13 W/m·K | ||
High-stiffness Douglas fir / southern pine LVL | Choose this Douglas fir or southern pine layup at 15.2 GPa for long-span beams, truss chords and any member where deflection has to be controlled. | 50 | 0.8 | 0.14 W/m·K | ||
Hardwood LVL | Choose the birch or eucalyptus veneer layup when you need high strength, high screw-holding and a wear-resistant face: trailer decking, scaffold planks and heavily loaded beams. | 58 | 0.9 | 0.16 W/m·K |
What is LVL?
LVL (laminated veneer lumber) is a structural composite of thin wood veneers bonded with the grain running parallel, qualified to ASTM D5456 and EN 14374 in stiffness grades such as 1.55E, 2.0E and 2.2E, plus cross-banded LVL-C and hardwood layups. It is chosen for high and uniform strength with low variability along the length — about 42 MPa tensile strength and 13.8 GPa modulus at 0.55 g/cm3 — and is supplied as long straight beams, headers, rim board and ripped billets. Maximum service temperature is 50 C and the product is intended for dry service, so exterior use needs sealing, preservative treatment or metal flashing. CLT is the alternative when a two-way panel rather than a linear member is required. LVL has a density of 0.55 g/cm³ (0.0199 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of natural material grades. LVL has a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi), stronger than 62% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 13.8 GPa (2 Msi).
What is LVL used for?
- Structural beams/headers
- Rim board
- Scaffold planks
- I-joist flanges
- Furniture legs
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 99% of natural material grades
- Limited ductility — 0.8%, worse than 81% of natural material grades
LVL properties
Typical room-temperature values for LVL-2.0E; bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
LVL has a density of 0.55 g/cm³ (0.0199 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of natural material grades.
Mechanical9
LVL has a tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi), stronger than 62% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 13.8 GPa (2 Msi).
Thermal5
LVL 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 µm/m·K (2.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
LVL is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 4 kV/mm (101.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 66% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of LVL takes about 11 MJ of energy and emits 0.45 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
LVL's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 63% 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 LVL
Is LVL easy to machine?
Works with ordinary woodworking band saws, circular saws and CNC routers; carbide or diamond tooling is recommended to resist glue-line abrasion. Drill and groove along the grain and keep cuts away from tension edges.
Can LVL be welded?
Not weldable; members are connected with structural bolts, toothed plates, self-tapping screws or structural adhesive (PUR/epoxy).
Can LVL be formed, bent or molded?
Finished members are straight and tolerate only slight bending. Curved beams must be produced on a bending form during pressing (curved LVL / glue-lam process).
LVL 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 |
|---|---|---|
| phenol-formaldehyde / MUF / PUR adhesivestructural grades mostly PF (weather-resistant) | 4 – 9 | 6 |
| moistureequilibrium moisture content as shipped | 6 – 12 | 9 |
| wax / preservative / fire retardantoptional depending on product | 0 – 3 | 0.5 |
| wood veneer (softwood/hardwood, 2.5–4 mmrotary-peeled veneer, laminated with grain parallel | ≥ 88 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on LVL?
Sand, then apply primer, clear coat or waterborne paint. Exposed use requires moisture-sealed edges, preservative treatment or metal flashing.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to LVL in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D5456
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 14374
How much does LVL cost?
LVL is a budget-cost natural material ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
LVL — frequently asked
What is LVL used for?
LVL is typically used for structural beams/headers, rim board, scaffold planks, I-joist flanges and furniture legs. In short: most uniform engineered lumber; highest strength wood billet; long straight lengths available.
What is the tensile strength of LVL?
LVL has a typical tensile strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) — stronger than 62% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is LVL easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 63% of natural material grades). Works with ordinary woodworking band saws, circular saws and CNC routers; carbide or diamond tooling is recommended to resist glue-line abrasion. Drill and groove along the grain and keep cuts away from tension edges.
Can LVL be welded?
Not weldable; members are connected with structural bolts, toothed plates, self-tapping screws or structural adhesive (PUR/epoxy).
What surface finishes work on LVL?
Sand, then apply primer, clear coat or waterborne paint. Exposed use requires moisture-sealed edges, preservative treatment or metal flashing.
Can LVL be formed, bent or molded?
Finished members are straight and tolerate only slight bending. Curved beams must be produced on a bending form during pressing (curved LVL / glue-lam process).
What is the maximum service temperature of LVL?
LVL is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does LVL cost?
LVL is a budget-cost natural material ($), cheaper than about 90% 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
- ASTM D5456 — Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber Products — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 14374 — Timber structures: Structural laminated veneer lumber, requirements — CEN (2004)
- Wood Handbook — Wood as an Engineering Material (FPL-GTR-190) — USDA Forest Products Laboratory (2010)
- Kerto LVL S/Q product & EPD data — Metsä Wood (2023)
- Microllam LVL Specifier's Guide — Weyerhaeuser (2022)
- Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) v3 — engineered timber — 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.