Beams

Prolam PLX20® Glulam Beams

The Prolam PLX20® is an innovative Structural laminated beam being the ideal choice for Garage Door lintels. Being manufactured using Pine radiata with steel inserted into top and bottom laminates, increases strength and spanning capabilities. It is the highest strength beam in the Prolam range, replacing the discontinued PL17.

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Product Details

Code: PLX20-250100 & PLX20-300100
Sizes: 240x90 & 290x90
Lengths: 3.6m, 4.2m, 4.8m, 5.4m, 6.0m, 6.6m
Precamber (mm) = Length (mm)/800
Treatment: H1.2 
Grade: Non-Visual
Applications: Garage lintels, Ridge beams, Floor beams and Rafters

Key Features and Benefits

• Approx 40% lighter in weight than alternative products
• Quicker and easier to install, no extra assembly, equipment or staff required
• Span further with smaller member
• Competitively priced
• Easy to Specify using Prolam Specifier.
• NZ Made sustainable product

Designed and manufactured in New Zealand, the PLX20 is an innovative laminated beam with steel inserted into the top and bottom laminates. This gives greater strength allowing a smaller member beam to span further being ideal for garage door lintels, ridge beams, floor beams and rafters.

This innovative and compact design is approximately 40% lighter in weight than alternative products on the market, meaning installation is quick and easy.
No extra assembly, equipment or staff are required for installation. The beam can be easily cut to length on site and secured with our recommended fixings.
It is the responsibility of the designer to establish hold down fixing’s accordance with NZS3604:2012 or an alternative fixing solution.

With a higher percentage of timber than steel, the PLX20 is a more sustainable choice coming from a renewable resource.

The PLX20 is easy to specify on our Online SpecifierSpan tables and on Masterspec.
Check out our short video on how to Specify PLX20® using the Prolam Specifier.

Check our FAQ laminated beams page here.
Request a sample or in-house demonstration Here

Grades & Finishes

Non Vis H1.2
Non-Visual - H1.2

This grade is intended for use in applications where appearance is unimportant. All appearance blemishes are permitted in this grade. The surfaces are machined, but machine skip is permissible and blemishes, voids and manufacturing will remain unrepaired. Loose, knots, wane, pith and open knot holes may be present. H1.2 Treatment is dyed pink and is ONLY available in lengths up to 7.2m.

Timber used for laminating is carefully selected for production and graded according to strict Prowood specifications. All timber stock is kiln dried, to 13% average moisture content, to ensure efficient bonding in the gluing operations. 

The laminations are machine finger jointed if required, with glue being cured by state of the art European press systems and controlled temperature. Prolam PLX20 Glulam products are available in non-visual utility grades. 

Prolam structural laminated timber beams can be used in any form of construction where the structure relies on AS/NZS 1170: 2002 and NZ 3603 1993. The design can be from the Prolam online software, span tables or specific design by an engineer using Prolam’s structural properties. All structural timber products must be stored, handled and installed in accordance with all Prolam’s installation requirements. Prolam structural laminated timber works well in harsh environments, for example in corrosive chemical stores, fell-monger, acid plants, salt-water environments and swimming pools, as it does not rust and the glues used are service class 3 certified.

 Limitations on use

This laminated treated product must be protected from the elements until it is sealed. Prolam structural timber can be supplied with a temporary sealer if required. Timber naturally absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment that can cause the product to alter dimensionally. All exposed structural timber must be sealed with a good quality paint or stain system within 14 days of delivery to dramatically reduce the incidence of dimensional change and increases longevity. All cuts, holes and rebates must also be sealed to prevent the absorption of moisture.

Prolam structural timber products can be used in specific fire performance situations, and must be designed in conjunction with a fire engineer.

Building code statement of compliance 

Prolam structural laminated timber installed in accordance with the Prolam installation requirements, will comply with the below performance clauses of the New Zealand building code.

  • Structure B1/AS1: meets the requirements of B1.3.1 B1.3.2 B1.3.3 (a, b, f, j, m, q) B1.3.4 (a, b, c, d, e); AS1170:2002 for engineering span tables, AS/NZS 1328:1998 and AS5068 for building element
  • Durability B2/AS1: meets the requirements of B2.3.1(a) B2.3.2. And can be used in service class 3 situations provided H3.2 treatment or higher is used. All timber is treated in accordance with NZS3640. Prolam treats it’s own timber, and is third party audited to ensure compliance to the New Zealand treatment standard. Correct treatments must be used in the right places.
  • Protection from Fire C: APA Evaluation of Char Rate (ASTM E119), TT- 118, January 2015; meets the requirements of C6.3 C6.4. Where members are required to have a fire resistance rating the designer can use the follow standards for FRR design: TT-118 OR: NZS 3603:1993 (section 9).
  • Hazardous Building Materials F2/AS1: meets the requirements of F2.3.1. Timber treatment suppliers meet NZS3640, which includes flash-off requirements.

NZBC designed to comply

B1
Structure

B2 
Durability

B3
Protection from Fire

B4
Hazardous Building Materials

PLX20 Properties

Notes:
(1) PLX20 intended for use as a beam and not as a tension or compression member.
(2) PLX20 bending strength and MoE about the major axis have been determined from testing. 
Other properties are based on SG6 timber.

 

Features & Benefits

Cost Effectiveness

High weight-to-strength ratio of Prolam allows for maximum loads over large spans with the smallest possible end sections.

Product Quality

Prolam manufactured in accordance with AS/NZS 1328 Glue Laminated Structural Timber standard.

Fire Safety

Extensive fire test data shows that Prolam beams maintain structural load support for measurable periods of time in fire situations.

Renewable Resource

Made from renewable New Zealand plantation timber, Prolam uses 14 times less energy to produce compared to the equivalent steel beam.

Chemical Resistance

Prolam works well in harsh environments as it does not rust and the glues used are service class 3 certified.

Why Choose Prolam

Engineered Structural Timber Solutions

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