LVL-C
Grade
ASTM D5456 · EN 14374
LVL-C = 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.
Values for the LVL-C condition
Other LVL tempers and conditions
LVL is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at LVL.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LVL-CThis page 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-C?
LVL-C is LVL in the LVL-C grade — 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. LVL-C has a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi), stronger than 60% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.7% and the elastic modulus is 10.5 GPa (1.52 Msi). LVL-C has a density of 0.55 g/cm³ (0.0199 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of natural material grades. 2.0E is the default condition FabDigit quotes; LVL-C is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 0.7 MPa·√m (0.637 ksi·√in), better than 78% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 99% of natural material grades
- Limited ductility — 0.7%, worse than 82% of natural material grades
LVL-C properties
Typical room-temperature values for LVL-C; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are LVL reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
LVL-C has a density of 0.55 g/cm³ (0.0199 lb/in³), lighter than 70% of natural material grades.
Mechanical9
LVL-C has a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi), stronger than 60% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.7% and the elastic modulus is 10.5 GPa (1.52 Msi).
Thermal5
LVL-C 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 6 µm/m·K (3.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
LVL-C 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-C 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-C's machinability is very good (83/100, better than 53% of natural material grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with LVL-C
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).
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.
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) | — |
LVL-C — frequently asked
What is LVL-C used for?
LVL-C 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-C?
LVL-C has a typical tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) — stronger than 60% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is LVL-C easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (83/100, better than 53% 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-C 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-C?
Sand, then apply primer, clear coat or waterborne paint. Exposed use requires moisture-sealed edges, preservative treatment or metal flashing.
Can LVL-C 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-C?
LVL-C 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.