Products

Raking Portal

A pitch perfect engineered timber bracing solution

The Prolam Raking Portal is a custom-engineered structural timber portal frame designed for mono-pitched or dual-pitched raked ceilings and roofs in residential, commercial and light industrial buildings.  

Crafted from high-performance Prolam glulam, each portal is delivered via Specific Engineering Design (SED) for project-specific spans and wind, earthquake and snow loads – in accordance with the New Zealand Building Code. 

Offering a streamlined process from engineering and design to manufacture and supply, the Prolam SED Raking Portal delivers a consent-ready, build-ready solution backed by Prolam’s in-house engineering expertise and proven glulam performance. 

Prolam Raking Portals are available in visual and non-visual options and can be designed to incorporate our industry-leading glulam–steel hybrid PLX20 Beam and PLX Bracing Column.

Applications

Prolam Raking Portals are an ideal solution for:

• Architectural homes with raked ceilings
• Open-plan spaces with large openings
• Pavilion-style builds
• Commercial spaces with open internal layouts
• Projects where traditional bracing walls are not viable

How the SED Raking Portal design to delivery service works

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.

1. Either COMPLETE the Design Request form (optional) or email through any available project details (e.g. spans, pitch, loads, and site location)

2. SAVE AND EMAIL your completed form (if used) along with your building plans to our technical team. If further information or clarification is required, our engineering team will contact you.

3. RECEIVE a quotation for the Specific Engineering Design (SED). Once accepted and the design invoice PAID, structural drawings and connection details are prepared for REVIEW AND APPROVAL. 

4. We ISSUE the finalised design package, including supporting documentation for building consent.
You also receive a COST ESTIMATE for manufacturing the portal. 

5. PLACE your order once building consent has been approved. 
We MANUFACTURE AND DELIVER the prefabricated Raking Portal kitset to your nominated timber merchant.

A cut above

• Custom SED glulam raking portal frame
• NZ Building Code compliant design
• Engineered for NZ wind, snow and earthquake loads
• Visual and non-visual options available
• Mono-pitch and dual-pitch options available
• Optimal structural performance and building efficiency
• Superior strength and dimensional stability
• Prefabricated kitset ready to install
• Foundation connections and connections to framing members included
• Lightweight and efficient to handle on site
• Simple to install compared to steel
• Sustainable alternative to steel
• 100% NZ designed and manufactured

Talk to the structural timber specialists

Our sales team and in-house structural engineers are on-hand to support you to find the right solution for your project.

Contact us today 

Product Downloads

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, which 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 increase 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 following 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 elements
  • 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 its own timber and is third-party audited to ensure compliance with 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 following 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

Features & Benefits

cost effective Cost Effectiveness

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

quality Product Quality

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

fire Fire Safety

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

renewable Renewable Resource

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

chemical Chemical Resistance

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

Frequently asked questions

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. 

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.

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.

View our fixing details 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.

Why Choose Prolam

Engineered Structural Timber Solutions

Specify with certainty


FIND OUT MORE
Store Locator
03 526 7436
Email Us