Beams

Prolam PL8 Glulam Beams

Support for a strong and sustainable build
Designed and manufactured in New Zealand from select quality, sustainably grown pine, Prolam PL8 Glulam Beams combine structural integrity and durability with solid eco-credentials. Available in visual and non-visual grades in a wide range of finishes, PL8 Glulam Beams elevate architectural design and construction.

A cut above
• Solid strength and load carrying capacity
• Dimensional stability (no twisting or warping)
• Available in a variety of sizes and lengths
• Custom sizing available
• Non-visual and visual grades with a wide range of finishes
• FSC certified timber options available

Prolam PL8 Glulam Beams are ideal for:
• Veranda lintels and rafters
• Pergola lintels and rafters
• Exposed trusses (visual grade only)
• Garage door lintels
• Deck bearers
• Deck joists
• Floor joists
• General lintels
• Rafters

Check our FAQ laminated beams page here.
Click Here to view the full range of sizes and treatments.

Prime Designs

The Big Cottage

Nelson Pergola

Motueka High School Pergola

Queensway Pergola

Outdoor Entertaining Area

Product Downloads

Grades & Finishes

Visual - Appearance A

This grade is intended for use in applications where appearance of the member is important and clear or painted finishes are used. All surface voids are filled, small tight knots are permitted. The surfaces are planer machined to a high quality finish. Visual finish is available in untreated as well as H1.2 and H3.2 treatments.

Bandsawn

This is only supplied in the visual grade as its used for rustic visual appearance. The roughness of the bandsawn finish may vary slightly between batches.

Sanded and Sealed

This is a premium finish added to a visual product, where all blemishes are filled, the whole product is sanded and then coated with a sealer that will protect the product from ingress of moisture for 6 weeks. This sealer is not a long term sealer. The product must be sealed for the long term as per our painting/sealing requirements.

Preprimed

This is a primary coat that is applied in our factory as a protective coat to stop ingress of moisture until the undercoat and top coats are applied. This primer coat is not to be used as the final finish and the product must be sealed for the long term as per our painting/sealing requirements.

Non-Visual H3.2 - Appearance C

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.

Non-Visual H1.2 - Appearance C

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