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Beautiful to look at, comparable in strength to

steel or concrete, versatile and easy to work 

with, Glue-Laminated Timber is the timber 

 product of the future.

Originating in Germany in 1900, Glulam is one of theoldest engineered wood products and one of the

most resource-efficient, making it a preferred material

for construction across the industry. Arriving in

 Australia in the 1950s, Glulam is now used both

decoratively and structurally, with advances in the

strength and weather-resistance of the laminate

bonding agents adding to the ways it can be used

in construction.

Like many engineered wood products, Glulam is

comparable to steel in strength but is much lighter,

making it easy to transport and work with on-site.

It is also available in almost any length (limited

only by manufacturing, handling and transport

requirements), has low variability in properties, with

the additional element of a high aesthetic finish.

The beauty of exposed Glulam means it is the perfect

material for buildings where the structural framework

is part of the overall aesthetic. This dual quality -

beauty and strength - makes Glulam a timber

product with limitless potential for innovative

architecture, design and building projects.

Size, shape and length - it’s all up to you

With all the advantages offered by this high-strengthand versatile timber product, there’s no reason

it can’t be used in any building project. Glulam

consists of a number of graded, kiln-dried and

full-length laminations bonded together with

adhesives. Its beams can be manufactured to

practically any length, shape or size. The lamination

process and the use of kiln-dried lumber minimises

timber’s natural propensity to check, twist, warp and

shrink, so Glulam remains dimensionally stable and

beautiful over time, virtually eliminating the need for

on-going maintenance.

Once on site, Glulam beams are easily modified with

hand tools to meet changes in design or minor

adjustments, making renovations and DIY projects

simpler and less costly. Glulam’s natural fire-resistant

properties make it an obvious choice for structuresrequiring a fire rating and for buildings in

bushfire-prone areas.

Cost-effective and sustainable

Until recently in Australia, standardisation of structural

Glulam’s properties has posed a problem, as each

region uses different timbers in its manufacture.

For example, in the west the predominant species

used is Jarrah; in the south-east Tasmanian Oak

and Radiata Pine are used; and in the north-east

it’s Spotted Gum, Slash Pine and other mixed

hardwoods.

Now, the Glue-Laminated Timber Association of

 Australia (GLTAA) has established a set of industry

standards in relation to the properties and sizes of

the Glulam produced by its members across

 Australia. This makes it easier to factor Glulam

beams into the structural design of a project.

The improvement in the accuracy of the product

has reduced the need for on-site fabrication, reducing

labour costs and waste. Like all timber products, the

benefits to the environment of using Glulam are

enormous - it stores carbon and reduces emissions,

is 100% biodegradable, naturally insulating,

renewable and recyclable.

“Add ease-of-use to strength

and stability and you have a

construction material that can

be used in buildings of any 

size, from DIY to large

commercial projects.” 

Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) -a high-strength, weatherproof timberproduct that crosses the dividebetween form and function

Fact Sheet

 For further information visit

www.timber.org.au/structural_timber

This fact sheet is part of a suite of resources produced by Wood. Naturally Better.TM

Project: Australian Schoolof Fine Furniture Architect: Six Degrees Pty LtdPhotographer: Patrick Rodriguez

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