What is Prolam glulam timber and how is it different from regular timber?
Prolam timber is glulam (short for glued laminated timber), an engineered wood product designed for superior strength, stability and consistency compared to regular solid timber.
Glulam is made by bonding layers of kiln-dried, structural grade timber with durable adhesives. This creates timber products such as posts and beams that are stronger and more dimensionally stable than regular timber – greatly minimising warping, splitting and shrinking.
This ‘built-in’ strength also means glulam timber products have superior load-bearing capacity and increased spanning capability. But despite their strength, they are often lighter and easier to handle than solid timber, supporting a faster and more efficient build.
Are Prolam glulam timber products building code compliant or CodeMark certified?
All Prolam glulam timber products are designed and tested to meet the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code.
Prolam H5 Glulam Posts are CodeMark Certified for above and inground structural use. In addition, Prolam Beams come with a PASS (Product Assurance Supplier Statement) which provide information on performance and installation to demonstrated compliance with the building code.
Where is Prolam timber made?
Prolam glulam timber products are manufactured at our two sites in Motueka in the Tasman region at the top of the South Island.
Where can I buy Prolam glulam?
Prolam glulam beams, posts, trusses and PLX bracing range is available to be purchased through timber merchants and trade stores nationwide. Click here to find a Prolam stockist near you.
What timber species does Prolam use for its glulam timber products and where is it sourced?
Prolam glulam timber is manufactured from New Zealand plantation-grown radiata pine, with the majority grown in our local Tasman region. Some non-visual PL12 products are manufacturered from Douglas Fir, also sourced locally.
We have longstanding relationships with suppliers with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditations to ensure we have a steady supply of top-quality timber that has been responsibly grown, harvested, and milled.
Is Prolam glulam timber sustainable or FSC certified?
Engineered timber products like Prolam glulam are a sustainable and renewable building material, absorbing carbon and storing it over its lifetime.
Prolam is a Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified Manufacturer of 100% FSC and FSC mix timber products, and our glulam timber beams, posts, trusses, and portals are made from New Zealand plantation-grown radiata pine and Douglas fir.
- FSC Certificate Code: SCS-COC-701220.
- FSC Trademark License Code: FSC-C181652
Our core range of engineered timber products are also backed by Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) that cover everything from the sourcing of raw materials to manufacturing and packaging, giving a comprehensive picture of our products’ environmental footprint.
Learn more about our sustainability commitment here.
Is Prolam glulam timber suitable for commercial and large-scale buildings?
Yes! With their increased span capacity, strength, and stability, engineered timber products like Prolam glulam are an ideal solution for commercial and large-scale buildings.
Glulam is also lighter and easier to install, offers excellent fire and seismic performance, and provides a sustainable alternative to materials such as concrete and steel.
Learn more about using structural timber for commercial builds here.
How does glulam timber compare to steel and concrete for large buildings?
Engineered timber products like Prolam glulam can achieve comparable strength and span to steel and concrete, while offering faster construction times, reduced carbon footprint, and improved thermal performance.
See our comparison of the total installed cost of the Prolam PLX Portal versus a steel portal prepared by Nick Clements of YourQS.
Why should I use Prolam glulam instead of steel?
There are a number of reasons why glulam is a strong, smart and sustainable alternative to steel. Glulam offers excellent strength, stability, and design flexibility. It is made from renewable New Zealand plantation timber, and requires significantly less energy to produce than steel. Glulam is also lightweight and easier easier, faster and more cost-effective to install than steel.
Compared to steel, glulam also provides superior fire resistance, won’t rust or distort with temperature changes, and delivers a natural aesthetic ideal for both structural and architectural applications.
Read our article on how timber stacks up against steel
What is the difference between LVL and Prolam glulam?
While being similar products, the main difference between LVL (which stands for Laminated Veneer Lumber) and glulam is the thickness of timber glued together. LVL is a timber product made from thin timber veneers (normally 2-3mm) glued together to form a beam. Prolam glulam is made from thicker sections of timber (generally 30-45mm) thick, glued together to make a post or a beam.
While H3.2 treated glulam is suitable for use in both interior and exterior applications (including in-ground use), LVL is typically suited to interior use. This is because its veneers are only surface treated (H1.2), making it unsuitable for exterior or in-ground applications.
Are glulam beams stronger than standard timber beams?
Being a laminated engineered timber product, Prolam Glulam beams are stronger than standard timber.
This allows for larger spanning and increased dimensional stability and durability (less warping, splitting and cupping).
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. You can submit a request for a specific design for a glulam timber component of your project via the Prolam Specifier.
Access the Specific Design service on the Prolam Specifier to submit your details and drawings, and our engineering team will get back to you with your specific design or be in touch to discuss your project requirements.
Specific designs for situations outside NZ:3604 or the Prolam Specifier calculators can include: Exposed Trusses, Complex Beams, Complex Bracing posts, Bracing Portal, Wind Beams, Cantilever Beams and more.
What’s the difference between glulam and CLT?
Glued laminated timber (or glulam) is made by bonding multiple layers of finger-jointed timber pieces, called lamella, with adhesives. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is made by stacking and bonding timber boards in perpendicular layers, creating large solid panels
Glulam is typically used for load-bearing members like beams, columns and trusses, including exposed architectural features, while CLT is used for wall and floor panels. Together, they provide solutions for mass timber construction.
Where do I find structural properties and technical information to support structural timber design
The Prolam Specifier and the Prolam Specific Engineering Design Guide provide detailed information to support structural timber design calculations for residential and commercial projects. Prolam products are available on SpecToolbox, a dedicated mass timber specification tool.
For tailored support, our in-house engineers can assist with project-specific design advice and Specific Engineering Designs, ensuring your structural timber solution aligns with commercial building requirements.