What really is Quality Glulam Timber!

Today one of our sales team was asked by quite a clever chap, what is the difference between quality glulam timber and run of the mill gluelam timber, as GLULAM timber is GLULAM timber, and laminated Glulam timber is basically all the same? So I thought I would write a small piece on the difference between engineered laminated glulam logs, and none engineered glulam logs.(or fondly known in the industry as the bits and bob log).

I am not allowed to copy and paste other manufacturers photos into this blog, however, if you browse the web and look, you will see bits and bob glulam logs everywhere, what to watch out for is the amount of knots in each log, and the colour of them, they are usually very dark! But what is the most important thing to do is ask for certification on the log and demand to know the grade! Also what glues were used. Some glues are incredibly toxic!

OK..When the timber first comes to our mills, it is already visually graded, the grade on the timber is KD (Kiln Dried) C24. This in the industry is the bench mark for top quality timber, mainly used for timber frame and the like. We then go through the C24 and cut even more knots, splits, wane etc, and take the grade up to C32 or a staggering C40, depending on the project. But! every Glulam Log is  C32 or above when leaving our production line. Which means your glulam cabin is built not from the best, but from ENGINEERED GLULAM…..

gluelam timber- glulam log cabins-glulam cabins

Now…. lower grade bits and bob ( glulam) log cabins will normally be made from smaller lengths of timber or off cuts, the timber will not be graded, the machinery used is normally antique and the quality of the logs is not great. I do understand why the other manufacturers use these bits of timber, its either burn them, or finger joint them.Finger jointed timber is great for roof board of say 19mm, or floor boards of say 28mm, but for structural usage, NO!

Sadly most manufacturers will not tell you what grade is their glulam which they are using, they will just use the word glulam and hope for the best. If in doubt, ask, and ask to see all the certification, also photos of their plant! Remember Glulam cabins cost more because of their engineered pedigree, do not spend hard earned money on a Bits and Bob Log Cabin.

When speaking to which ever company about a glulam log cabin , be it in 80mm, 120mm, 160mm, 200mm, 240mm, and a log length of say 10 meters, you must ask the company concerned to prove what grade glulam log they are offering, ask them to prove it with certification, also ask to see photos up close of what they have built before, and ask for photos of the logs and count how many pieces of timber is used in say a 10m length, and more that 3, then its a bits and Bob LOG! There are many companies offering bits and bob glulam cabins.

Our Glulam cabins are not just engineered, they are quality above all else. We pride ourselves on offering the best glulam cabins in the UK, if you are looking for the best, please fill out the form and we will have one of glulam expert give you a call!

Do not settle for less…logcabinslv.co.uk

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