New Zealand design and building professionals now have even greater support with Prolam’s expanded glulam timber design service and the addition of its products to SpecToolbox.

New Zealand’s building and design landscape is evolving – and so are the expectations placed on architects, engineers and builders to deliver smarter, more efficient structures. In a market where accuracy, compliance and speed are everything, Prolam is stepping up with enhanced glulam design and specification support that streamlines workflows and strengthens project outcomes.

Prolam’s structural timber design ‘toolkit’ now includes:

• The Prolam Specifier – a free online tool that allows users to quickly and accurately perform calculations, and select and specify glulam with documentation for building consents. 
• The Prolam Design Service – giving customers direct access to Prolam’s in-house structural timber engineering specialists for project-specific solutions. 
• Prolam products on SpecToolbox – the innovative digital platform making mass timber easy to specify. 

As Prolam Managing Director John Woodman explains: “Our focus is always on helping the industry build better with engineered timber – and giving professionals the tools and expert support they need to do it with confidence and ease”.

The Prolam Specifier: Fast tracking timber design and compliance

The Prolam Specifier is a purpose-built online tool designed for fast, accurate and compliant specification of glulam beams, posts, and bracing portals and columns. 

Used by more than 5,000 architects, builders and frame and truss detailers nationwide, it enables users to input design parameters and perform calculations in seconds. The Prolam Specifier outputs options to support design goals and compliance requirements, and generates documents for building consent, including PS1 statements. 

By simplifying early design decisions and giving users confidence in their selections, the Prolam Specifier has become one of the industry’s most relied-upon tools for everyday glulam specification.

The Prolam Design Service: Providing an extra dimension of support

When structural timber requirements move beyond standard calculations or require Specific Engineering Design (SED), Prolam’s Design Service gives customers direct access to specialised timber engineering support.

Prolam’s highly qualified structural engineers – Zubin Karami and Farhad Darani – work exclusively with engineered timber systems every day. Their deep understanding of the Prolam product range, glulam properties and the NZ Building Code allows them to provide tailored designs for:

• Exposed trusses
• Complex beams
• Lintels and posts
• Bracing portals. 

Design requests can be submitted and managed directly through the Prolam Specifier, ensuring a seamless workflow and fast turnaround – with customers receiving clear, concise design documentation including PS1s.

The service is built around technical certainty, timely delivery and real-world practicality – helping professionals resolve challenges early, avoid over-engineering and progress confidently through consent and construction.

Once a design is approved, and a product order is placed, Prolam manufactures the products and supplies them to the customer’s preferred timber merchant – ready for installation. 

Prolam on SpecToolbox: Expanding access to timber design data

Prolam’s glulam products are also available on SpecToolbox, the innovative digital platform formerly known as CLT Toolbox. With the platform’s expansion to include glulam, design professionals now have a broader range of products to support mass timber projects and verified design data at their fingertips.

This partnership provides another trusted channel for engineers to access Prolam’s technical information, supporting more informed, efficient and accurate timber design and specification. 

Building better – together 

Prolam’s structural timber design capability is backed by more than 20 years of innovation in engineered timber, local New Zealand manufacturing, and a deep commitment to supporting the design, engineering and construction sectors.

With a blend of industry-leading digital tools, specialist engineering support, and a reputation for quality, high-performance glulam products, Prolam continues to raise the bar for what design partners can expect.

Register to use the Prolam Specifier or get in touch to discuss how our engineered timber products and structural timber design services can support your next project. 

FAQs about specifying Prolam glulam

How do I specify Prolam glulam timber products in my architectural drawings?

The Prolam Specifier is your fast-track to accurate, compliant product specification tool for residential and light commercial projects. 

Covering a wide range of the most common structural members, such as lintels, framing, posts and portal frames, it allows you to quickly and easily perform design calculations and fine-tune design parameters to zero in on the right solution for your project. Saving you time and energy at every step, it also makes building code compliance a breeze, outputting the documents you need for building consents, including PS1 certificates.

In addition, the Prolam Specific Engineering Design Guide provides the design properties and product information required for the specific engineering design of Prolam products outside the scope of Prolam Specifier and span tables.

Register to use the Prolam Specifier or get in touch if you want to discuss the specification of our products or your structural timber design needs with our glulam experts.

Do you have timber design properties?

Yes. We have developed design properties for Prolam glulam timber products that show the mechanical and physical characteristics of our structural timber solutions that ensure structural integrity and longevity, such as strength, stiffness and density.

You can find these properties in the Prolam Structural Timber Guide (pp 46-68) and on each Product page of the website.  The Prolam Specifier and the Prolam Specific Engineering Design Guide also provide detailed information to support structural timber design calculations for residential and commercial projects. 

Do Prolam products comply with NZS 3604 and NZ Building Code requirements?

Yes, all Prolam engineered timber products have been tested and certified in accordance with NZS 3604 and the New Zealand Building Code.

How can I get some technical support for my project?

For technical and specification support for your project, please get in touch with our structural engineering team or use the chat function on our website.

Alternatively, you can find further information on installation, alternatives, span tables, treatments, finishes, certifications and more on our technical page or calculators on the Prolam Specifier.

Can I get a specific design done for structural timber in my project?

Yes. Prolam’s in-house structural engineers can assist with project-specific design advice and Specific Engineering Designs, ensuring your structural timber solution aligns with residential and commercial building requirements.

Find out more about our the Prolam Design Service here.