Lead times for Prolam engineered timber products vary depending on the product type and current manufacturing schedules.
For the most up-to-date information, refer to the lead times page on the Prolam website.
For urgent orders, contact the Prolam team directly.
Prolam uses high-performance resorcinol-based adhesive and MUF glue in the manufacture of all glue laminated timber products.
The resorcinol-based adhesive used in Prolam glulam products exceeds the New Zealand Building Code's 50-year durability requirement and is designed for demanding environments. It performs exceptionally well in wet and high-moisture applications, with strong resistance to temperature and humidity fluctuations - making it well suited to the full range of structural timber conditions found across New Zealand.
Prolam engineered timber members can be designed to achieve the required fire resistance rating (FRR) by applying the applicable timber charring rates.
Prolam's charring rates are supported by a BRANZ appraisal and detailed in the Prolam Structural Timber Guide.
Standard charring rates may also be referenced in NZS 3603. Fire engineers and consultants can use these published charring rates to design Prolam glulam and LVL members to meet project-specific fire performance requirements.
Yes. Prolam provides technical design support for engineered timber projects and can supply relevant documentation to assist with specification, compliance, and building consent.
Click here to contact us.
Yes, the Prolam team will review your building plans. Providing plans is the quickest way for the Prolam team to understand your project vision and timber design goals and recommend a suitable engineered timber solution. You can contact us here.
PL8 glulam is manufactured from SG8 timber, while PL12 glulam is manufactured from SG12 timber, giving it higher structural strength and stiffness.
As a result, PL12 engineered timber beams can achieve longer spans and carry greater loads than PL8. For the same span and loading conditions, a PL12 beam can often be specified in a smaller section, making it a good choice where space is limited or exposed timber aesthetics are important.
Yes. Prolam’s streamlined process from design to manufacture and supply makes integrating Exposed Trusses into residential and commercial building designs simple, fast and cost-effective. Our exposed truss design service gives architects, engineers and builders access to Prolam's expertise in designing robust and compliant structural timber elements.
Available for Custom Designs requiring Specific Engineering Design as well as Standard Designs, and delivered by Prolam’s in-house structural engineers, it’s a complete solution.
Simply submit a Exposed Truss Design Request via the Prolam Specifier, provide a copy of your building plan, confirm dimensions and finishes, and Prolam’s engineers produce the detailed drawings and documentation for building consent.
Once approved, the Exposed Truss beams, plates, and bolts are manufactured and delivered as a kit and supplied to your preferred timber merchant – ready for onsite assembly and installation.
The information we need to support exposed truss or portal design through our structural timber design service includes your plans, elevations, dimensions, spans, support conditions, loading information, and details of any exposed timber requirements.
Prolam engineered glulam timber beams and trusses are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Indoors, exposed timber beams and trusses add warmth and visual appeal. Outdoors, H3.2 treated glulam is designed for durability in exposed conditions and is well suited to pergolas, façades, and alfresco areas.
Check out our Projects page for examples of where Prolam has been used both indoors and outdoors.
Yes. Prolam engineered timber posts and beams can be manufactured to custom sizes or lengths.
For manufacturing efficiency, custom orders are typically available for quantities of five or more.
Please contact the Prolam team to check if we can do your requested dimensions.
All Prolam glulam products are manufactured, tested, and quality-checked to comply with AS/NZS 1328 and AS 5069, the New Zealand and Australian standards for glue laminated structural timber. These standards govern the manufacturing process, adhesive performance, timber grading, and structural properties of glulam products, providing independent assurance that every Prolam engineered timber member meets consistent quality and performance requirements.
The main difference between visual and non-visual grade glulam timber is the appearance finish.
Visual grade glulam timber is intended for exposed applications where the look of the timber matters and a paint or stain finish is required. Non-visual grade glulam timber is stress graded for structural use but not selected for appearance, making it best suited to concealed structural applications.
Prolam visual grade glulam timber products are manufactured using timber selected to achieve higher-quality visual finish, then finger-jointed and laminated into glulam. It is designed for exposed timber applications where timber appearance is important, such as visible beams, rafters and trusses for interior and exterior architectural structural features. Visual grade glulam provides a high-quality machined finish suitable for painting, oiling or staining.
Prolam non-visual grade glulam timber is graded for structural performance but is not selected or finished for appearance. It may include natural timber and manufacturing features such as knots, wane, pith, open knot holes, machining marks or unrepaired blemishes. For this reason, non-visual glulam is best suited to concealed structural applications where the timber will not be seen.
Learn more about our finishes here.
The treatment statement for Prolam engineered timber products is included in the Bureau Veritas Certificate (Refer to Pages 9–10).
The certificate provides independent verification of product compliance and treatment specifications.
Prolam visual-grade glulam products are available in four finishes: machined uncoated finish, pre-primed finish, sanded and sealed finish and bandsawn finish.
Yes, it is important to coat Prolam exposed timber before installation to prevent moisture ingress and preserve aesthetics and durability. This also applies to any cut ends or joins.
Prolam glulam can be stained using an oil or painted using an enamel paint. These products must have an LRV rating over 45%.
You can view our coating requirements and recommendations here.
Any Prolam glulam product that is exposed to the weather at any time should be coated (even if it is inside the building envelope) to prevent timber from absorbing moisture. Prolam glulam products should be kept dry with wrapping and/or cover before installed, and sealed before and during installation.
Refer to the Prolam coating requirements for further details.
Yes. Prolam glue laminated timber can be painted or stained to match the aesthetic. In fact, any exposed timber must be painted or stained with an oil based coating to preserve aesthetics and durability. This is optional for Prolam glulam timber used in internal applications.
Prolam glulam beams and posts should not be painted with colours below a 45% LRV rating, as darker coatings can increase the risk of cracking or distortion in structural timber.
Refer to page 3 of the Prolam Coating Requirements for further information.
To maintain Prolam glulam posts, beams, and other exposed structural timber products, refer to the Prolam Coating Guidelines for full instructions on preparation, application, and recoating intervals. For additional guidance, refer to the manufacturer's coating instructions on the product packaging.
Surface checking is a natural behaviour of engineered timber. As Prolam glulam absorbs and releases moisture, the outer fibres move more than the core, which can cause small surface splits. These checks may appear or fade with changes in weather. They are superficial only and do not affect the structural performance of Prolam structural timber beams or posts.
No. Splits or openings along a glue line in Prolam glulam do not necessarily mean delamination has occurred. They are often caused by natural checking as the engineered timber responds to changes in moisture. In larger timber sections, these checks commonly occur along glue lines where the timber fibres are interrupted and can be mistaken for delamination.
Delamination is the separation of the timber from the adhesive bond. If you look into the opening, natural checking will typically show rough or torn wood fibres, whereas delamination will appear as a smooth, flat separation along the glue line. You can also check the depth of the opening by gently inserting a thin card or feeler gauge.
If delamination is suspected, contact the Prolam technical team for assessment and advice.
It is important to only use fixings for Prolam glulam timber that have been specified by the engineer's specification or PS1. Ensure galvanised or stainless options are selected depending on indoor/outdoor use and timber treatment. Don't fasten too close to edges or ends.
Common suppliers we recommend are MiTek, Pryda, Simpson Strong-Tie or SPAX.
For MCA H3.2–H5 treated glulam timber, Prolam recommends a minimum of 304 stainless steel fasteners, nails, and screws for all exterior or exposed structural timber applications. This is because MCA treatment can accelerate corrosion in standard steel fixings, and stainless steel provides the durability needed to maintain structural integrity over the long term.
Apart from our glulam exposed truss, pergola and PLX bracing solutions which include fixings and connections, Prolam does not sell fixings. However, you can find our fixing recommendations for use with our products here.
You can purchase these at your local trade store, e.g. PlaceMakers, Carters, Mitre 10, ITM, Bunnings, BuildLink etc.
For subfloor framing, H3.2 glulam must be at least 150mm above ground. H3.2 glulam posts should not be in contact with the ground as the treatment does not prevent moisture absorbtion.
The weight of Prolam PL8 and PL12 engineered timber, treated to H1.2, H3.2 or H5, is approximately 550 kg per cubic metre.
For example, a 240 × 88 mm H3.2 PL8 member at 4.8 m length weighs around 56 kg. This is calculated as: 0.240 × 0.088 × 4.8 × 550 = 55.76 kg.
Please contact the Prolam team for weight information on PLX20 beams, PLX columns, or PLX portal systems.
Yes. Prolam H5 posts are CodeMark certified for in-ground structural use, making them suitable for structural timber applications where ground contact durability is required.
Fentec post caps are available from most timber merchants.
Visit the Fentec website to view available post cap options and locate your nearest stockists.
For custom-sized post caps, we recommend speaking with a local joiner.
Prolam PL12 posts offer higher strength and greater stiffness than PL8 posts, and provide increased bracing capacity. This can reduce the number of posts required on a project - for example, a deck that may typically require 10 PL8 posts may only require around 7–8 PL12 posts due to the higher capacity of each member.
Prolam PL8 posts are manufactured from SG8 timber, finger-jointed and laminated to form a structural post. PL12 posts are similarly manufactured from SG12 timber.
The maximum size of a Prolam post is 300 × 300 mm.
Refer to the Prolam Product list for our full range of post sizes and lengths.
Prolam posts can be used as beams, and Prolam beams can also be used as posts, provided this is confirmed by the project engineer or via the Prolam Specifier.
All applications must be designed and verified for the required load and structural timber performance.
Prolam engineered timber posts and beams are available in a wide range of sizes and lengths.
Posts range from 88 × 88 mm to 300 × 300 mm, with lengths from 2.4 m to 16 m. Beams range from 140 × 42 mm to 595 × 260 mm, with lengths from 3.6 m to 16 m.
For a full list of sizes, lengths, and product codes, view or download our Prolam Product List.
Yes, you can drill or notch a Prolam glue laminated beam but only if it has been specifically detailed by the engineer or using the Prolam Specifier. Unapproved holes and notches can void compliance and compromise structural performance of engineered timber.
Ensure holes are small and drilled in the middle third of the span, centred vertically and never at the beam ends or where supports or fixings are required
H3.2 treatment can typically give timber a green tinge. However, Prolam engineered timber is machined after treatment, which removes this surface colouring and results in a light brown finish. The final appearance is often similar to H5 treated timber, depending on exposure and conditions.
Contact us to request a sample.
Prolam visual grade glulam beams are available in a range of finishes, including bandsawn, sanded and sealed, and pre-primed options, ready for oiling, staining, or painting. This flexibility allows designers to match the finish to the architectural style and application.
See our Finishes brochure for more information.
After storing in a flat and dry location and ensuring your posts and walls are level, you can begin installing your Prolam glulam beam.
Using appropriate lifting gear, move the beam into place, and then secure the beam using fasteners recommended by your engineer or Prolam. Keep heavy materials off the beam until it is secured.
For full details, Click Here to download the design and install guide.
If the glulam beam is an exterior exposed beam, ensure it is coated as per the Prolam Coating Requirements prior to installation.
Yes, Prolam can design exposed timber trusses to support a glulam ridge beam where required.
Simply let us know when submitting your design request so this can be incorporated into the structural design.
No. While many standard structural timber designs can be completed using the Prolam Specifier, Prolam can also assist with projects that require more specific engineering input.
When a project falls outside standard calculations, or you require a specific engineering design (SED), you can access Prolam’s Design Service. This provides engineering support for custom glulam solutions, exposed timber applications, large openings, bracing requirements, complex spans and other project-specific structural timber design needs.
Our in-house engineering team can help review the requirements and provide practical guidance to support the right Prolam timber solution for your project.
Yes. Prolam can help designers, engineers and builders specify and design timber bracing portal solutions for residential and light timber-framed construction using the Prolam PLX Portal or Prolam Raking Portal.
The Prolam PLX Portal is an engineered glulam bracing portal designed for situations where conventional wall bracing is difficult to achieve, such as large openings, garage doors, wide windows, sliding doors and open-plan layouts. The Prolam Raking Portal is a Specific Engineering Design (SED) solution designed for mono-pitched or dual-pitched raked ceilings and roofs in residential, commercial and light industrial buildings.
Prolam’s in-house engineering team can provide technical guidance, product information and project-specific design support to help ensure the right bracing portal solution is selected for the application. Contact us or learn more about our design service here.
A Raking Portal is a timber or steel frame designed to resist both gravity loads and lateral forces from wind, snow or earthquakes, consisting of vertical and sloping members forming a portal shape – used where raking ceilings (monopitch or cathedral) are required.
Learn about the Prolam Raking Portal here.
A raking portal is typically required when a building design includes raked ceilings, such as a gable, cathedral, or monopitch ceiling, and conventional wall bracing cannot provide the required bracing units. They are also used where spans, loads, or roof geometry fall outside the scope of pre-engineered bracing systems. Common applications include open-plan living areas, large glazed gable ends, and architectural residential builds where structural timber is part of the design intent.
Learn more about the Prolam Raking Portal here.
To request a Raking Portal design, submit your project details and plans via the Prolam Raking Portal Design Form and email it to the Prolam design team to start the process.
Yes. Each Raking Portal is engineered via Specific Engineering Design (SED) to meet project- and site-specific load requirements – in accordance with the NZ Building Code.
The Prolam PLX Portal is a pre-engineered bracing solution; the Prolam Raking Portal is a custom-engineered solution delivered via Specific Engineering Design (SED). Both use high-performance Prolam glulam components, but they are designed for different project requirements.
The PLX Portal features a flat lintel and uses standardised components, including the Prolam PLX20 Beam and a specially designed foot plate. It provides an efficient portal frame bracing solution for residential and light commercial buildings where the building layout suits the standard design parameters.
The Prolam Raking Portal is used where spans, loads, or roof geometry fall outside the scope of pre-engineered systems, or where a raking or pitched portal frame is required. Each Raking Portal is custom-engineered to suit the specific structural requirements of the project and is available in non-visual and visual options.
Prolam’s Raking Portal solution supports both Prolam-led Specific Engineering Design (SED) and collaboration with project structural engineers.
Where the project engineer is undertaking the SED, Prolam can assist with structural timber expertise, modelling data and defined connection detailing. Alternatively, Prolam’s engineering team can develop the portal design and documentation to support building consent.
Each portal is custom-engineered for the project’s loads, span and pitch and is backed by glulam material data and defined connection details, so engineers can slot it straight into their SED documentation and consent package. Contact our Design service team to learn more.
Yes. The Prolam Raking Portal is available in both visual and non-visual glulam grades, so it can be installed as an exposed timber architectural feature or left to do the structural work concealed behind the linings.
Contact the design service team to get started on your design.
Yes. Timber portal frames such as the Prolam Raking Portal reduce thermal bridging compared to steel equivalents. Because timber is a naturally poor conductor of heat, a glulam portal transfers significantly less heat through the building envelope than steel, improving energy efficiency and indoor comfort for the building's occupants.