Beams

Prolam PL8 Glulam Beams

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 PL8 Glulam products are available in visual and non-visual utility grades. Pre-cambered beams are available on request.

Prolam PL8 beams are manufactured to the wide range of sizes specified by the Prolam Pro online specifier which are manufactured to AS/NZS 1328, and are designed to comply with B1, B2, C and F2 of the NZ building code.

Check our FAQ laminated beams page here.

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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.

Non-Visual - 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.

Bandsawn

This is usually required in the visual grade, as it is used for its rustic visual appearance, the “roughness” of the bandsawn finish will vary as every saw will put a different finish on the product.

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 sealer 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.

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 requiements, 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

Prolam PL8 Structural Property

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.

Design Flexibility

Prolam can be curved to virtually any radii without loss of strength and manufactured specifically to the designer’s needs.

Renewable Resource

Made from renewable New Zealand plantation timber, Prolam uses14 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.

Case Studies

Oxford Landscaping

by Higham Architecture

Whangaparoa Coast Plaza Town Square

Architect- Tailorinc

The Lakes Early Childhood Education Centre

2020 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards Winner

Christchurch Tree Houses

Prolam worked with artist Julia...

Summerset Townhouses

Why Choose Prolam

Engineered Structural Timber Solutions

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