Plywood Beam Question - InspectionNews

Jim McClendon · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 03:06 PM

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.

Richard Stanley · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 03:18 PM

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.

Jerry Peck · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 03:21 PM

An LVL? (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

Kevin Barre · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 07:42 PM

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.

Jim McClendon · #5 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 06:17 PM

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 Robinson · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 06:34 PM

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.

Kevin Barre · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McClendon

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?

Michael Greenwalt · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 05:51 AM

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.

Jim McClendon · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 09:00 AM

Floor beams are plywood.

Kevin Barre · #10 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 12:44 PM

Those are iLevel, a Weyerhauser product. Check out their site for engineering data.iLevel by Weyerhaeuser - The leading provider of structural framing materials and finishing products for residential and commercial applications.

Jerry Peck · #11 (**permalink**) 10-28-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McClendon

Floor beams are plywood.

The floor joists are TJI (or similar), the girder is an LVL.