Glulam beams are manufactured timber beams. Glulam is short for glue and laminated and the beams comprise a number of smaller timber sections which are glued together in the factory to create a composite timber beam, rather like the timber sheets you find in the local DIY stores.

Glulam beams are stronger than timber beams of the same size because, whilst a defect in a timber joist will have a significant effect on its strength, the effect of a defect in one of the laminations of a glulam beam is much less on the overall strength of the beam. Because the beams are built up, getting hold of a large section is less of a problem than with natural timber beams. Because of this, they are generally capable of spanning longer distances or supporting heavier loads.

We need the following information to design a glulam beam:

architectural layouts or sketch drawings with dimensions, so we can work out the loadings the beam will be supporting

Design information

All design work is carried out in accordance with BS5268 (The structural use of timber).

The calculations provided will be suitable for Building Regulation approval.