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  1. #1
    Jim McClendon's Avatar
    Jim McClendon Guest

    Question Plywood Beam Question

    Does anyone know where I can get information about laminated plywood / floor beams? I was looking at a beam/girder supporting the floor joists that was built from a number of osb strips (.75" x 12") glued and nailed together forming a solid beam about 8"x12"x the length of the house.

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  2. #2
    Richard Stanley's Avatar
    Richard Stanley Guest

    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question

    Sounds like glulam (?) - engineered beams. Usually speced by architect. I see them often. Search Glulam or Gluelam - not sure of spelling. Probably stronger than natural lumber.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
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    28,042

    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question

    An LVL? (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  4. #4
    Kevin Barre's Avatar
    Kevin Barre Guest

    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question

    Is it plywood or OSB? The post isn't clear; it seems to indicate both. If it looks like plywood, it's probably LVL. If it is OSB, it could be a "homemade" beam which should definitely be subject to engineering review. Or to confuse things more, it could be a parallam beam which looks vaguely like OSB. Photos are a necessity in these kinds of posts! In any case, an 8" beam would almost have to be smaller beams ganged together as that's not a stock size in my experience.


  5. #5
    Jim McClendon's Avatar
    Jim McClendon Guest

    Talking Re: Plywood Beam Question

    Kevin, I only glimpsed it when I was visiting the neighborhood. I dont remember ..plywood or OSB.. maybe not only getting older, fatter, greyer...also more forgetfuller. I will post pictures next week after the inspection.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Mexico
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    1,352

    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question

    We called them paralam or LVL. A Gluelam was for exposed wood, such as a ceiling. The ones I dealt with were all plywood, not OSB.

    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  7. #7
    Kevin Barre's Avatar
    Kevin Barre Guest

    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim McClendon View Post
    Kevin, I only glimpsed it when I was visiting the neighborhood. I dont remember ..plywood or OSB.. maybe not only getting older, fatter, greyer...also more forgetfuller. I will post pictures next week after the inspection.
    Jim--
    I'm right there with you on the older and greyer things, and the, uhhhh...

    Can you remind me again what we were talking about?


  8. #8
    Michael Greenwalt's Avatar
    Michael Greenwalt Guest

    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question

    I recommend contacting Weyerhauser, I contact thier engineers often and they either have a rep who has surveyed the area and knows either thier beams that have been installed or may know which other manufactures are in the area. My local plant is KC but you can check Weyerhauser for the engineering office nearest you.


  9. #9
    Jim McClendon's Avatar
    Jim McClendon Guest

    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question

    Floor beams are plywood.

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  10. #10
    Kevin Barre's Avatar
    Kevin Barre Guest

    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Plywood Beam Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim McClendon View Post
    Floor beams are plywood.
    The floor joists are TJI (or similar), the girder is an LVL.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

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