Wood lam beams comparison guide for buyers

Builders want straight lines, quick installs, and safe spans. Wholesalers want reliable stock and clean paperwork. Engineers want predictable values and easy checks. Our team at SENSO builds to those needs every day. We press and machine laminated veneer lumber with tight control. We kit orders so crews spend less time cutting on site. This guide compares options and helps you pick a section with confidence.

Why wood lam beams set the tone for success

Size drives stiffness and comfort. sets strength and long-term creep. Moisture control guards shape and finish. Logistics affect cost and risk. When all four align, the frame goes up smoothly. Margins improve. Punch lists shrink. That is why planners start with a clear section choice and a simple workflow.

SENSO wood lam beams range at a glance

SENSO holds a practical grid for fast turns. Widths include 45, 63, 75, 90, and 120 mm. Depths step through 150, 200, 240, 300, 360, 400, and 450 mm. Standard lengths reach 12 m. Many jobs need less. Cut-to-length saves time and waste. Our structural LVL grades run E13 to E16 in common markets. Packs carry labels, barcodes, and mill data. Yards scan and load with fewer errors. Crews then match labels on site and get moving.

Typical size and use map

Width (mm)	Depth (mm)	Typical uses
45	150	Trimmers, short lintels
63	200	Joists, small headers
75	240	Deck beams, garage spans
90	300	Main floor beams, ridges
120	360–400	Long headers, carry lines

These lines align with common hangers and connectors. The fit speeds install and reduces shims. Finishes look cleaner as a result.

Wood lam beams compared: LVL, glulam, PSL, and LSL

Each laminated option solves a different pain point. You can match the product to the job and budget.

LVL beams use thin veneers and phenolic bonds. Properties stay uniform along the length. That uniformity helps spans and vibration control. Edges stay crisp after machining. Fixings bite cleanly. Supply is strong across regions.

glulam beams bond laminations of lumber. Visual grades look great in exposed areas. They can curve or camber by design. The look sells in halls and entries. Moisture care matters during storage.

PSL (parallel strand lumber) handles heavy loads in compact sections. Fibres align along the length. The look is more industrial. Use it where loads dominate.

LSL (laminated strand lumber) suits rim boards and headers. It offers good screw holding and stable shape. Costs stay sharp for short spans.

Quick comparison table

Attribute	LVL	Glulam	PSL	LSL
Uniformity	High	Medium	High	Medium
Visual finish	Good	Excellent	Fair	Fair
Span efficiency	High	Medium–High	High	Medium
Cost per metre	Medium	Medium–High	High	Medium
Lead time	Short	Medium	Medium	Short
Typical use	Floors, ridges	Exposed beams	Heavy headers	Rims, headers

Wood lam beams sizing fundamentals

Depth controls deflection. Width supports bearing and fixings. Grade raises capacity without always adding depth. Service class changes creep and vibration. The right mix gives comfort and line control. Target the smallest section that meets both strength and deflection. That balance manages cost and handling.

Span planning with simple ranges

Section (mm)	Grade	Spacing	Approx span (m)
63 × 200	E13	600 mm	3.0–3.6
75 × 240	E13	600 mm	3.6–4.5
90 × 300	E15	600 mm	4.5–5.6
120 × 360	E15	600 mm	5.6–6.6
120 × 400	E16	600 mm	6.6–7.2

Loads and bracing shift these numbers. Roof uplift also matters. Always lock the final design with an engineer.

Comfort, vibration, and finish quality

Floors need more than raw capacity. People feel bounce and sway. Tiles crack when lines move too far. Deeper sections reduce bounce. Tighter spacing also helps in open plan rooms. Heavy finishes add dead load. Adjust size before you order. It costs less than rework later.

Moisture, treatment, and durability choices

Frames face rain, pests, and coastal winds. Seal ends for wet seasons and sea freight. Treat to H2 or above in termite zones. Use wrap and stickers for airflow in storage. Keep packs off the ground. These steps protect shape and bearing faces. They also keep labels readable for site control.

Wood lam beams for floor frames

Living rooms often suit 75 × 240 or 90 × 300. Bedrooms run shorter and lighter. Decks face point loads near posts. Plan for stiffness near edges. Services need holes through webs. Use the hole rules in your market. Avoid large cuts near supports. Ask SENSO to mark hole zones on drawings.

Floor beam snapshots

Room type	Typical size	Notes
Bedroom	63 × 200	Short spans, light loads
Living	75 × 240	Comfort focused limits
Open plan	90 × 300	Vibration control
Hall or gym	120 × 360	Heavy live load

These picks start the talk. The engineer finishes it with load paths and finishes.

Wood lam beams for roofs and ridges

Ridges set the line for the roof. Depth controls mid-span dip. Many homes use 90 × 300 for ridges. Long rooms need 120 × 360. Heavy tiles may push up a step. Purlins in sheet roofs often sit at 63 × 200. Tie-downs and bracing must match the beam width. Order brackets and fixings with the beams. That step saves time at height.

Roof beam snapshots

Roof part	Typical size	Reason
Ridge	90 × 300	Line control
Hip/valley	75 × 240	Compound loads
Purlin	63 × 200	Light cladding
Long ridge	120 × 360	Strict limits

Wind zones change choices. Uplift can govern. Confirm these picks early.

Wood lam beams in wet or coastal zones

Moist air adds risk to edges and ends. Seal cuts as soon as you make them. Store under cover with airflow. Avoid standing water near packs. Use stainless fixings near the coast. Salt and moisture attack standard hardware. Good practice protects your finish and your schedule.

Handling, weight, and site logistics

Safe lifts protect crews and product. Plan handling before trucks arrive. Use slings with corner guards. Lift long pieces at balanced points. Keep packs strapped until use. Our labels mark centre of mass for forklifts. Ask for half packs on tight sites. That choice often avoids a second crane day.

Approximate weight per metre

Section (mm)	kg per m
63 × 200	9–10
75 × 240	13–15
90 × 300	20–23
120 × 360	32–36
120 × 400	36–41

Weights vary by species and moisture. Treat these as planning guides.

Cost, value, and how to buy well

Price per metre rises with depth and grade. But the lowest metre price rarely wins the job. The right section can remove props or steel. Crews place once, then move on. Waste also drives cost. Cut-to-length lowers offcuts and saw time. Delivery plans matter too. Stage packs to match the build. You will see fewer lost hours on site.

Cost and lead time signals

Choice	Cost impact	Lead time impact	Good use case
Step up in depth	Medium	None	Long spans, bounce limits
Step up in grade	Medium	Low	Tight depth constraints
Custom lengths	Low	Low	Waste and speed gains
Pre-kitted fixings	Low	Low	Busy roof crews
Half packs	Low	Low	Tight access sites

These moves often beat a raw discount. They reduce total build cost.

SENSO support for fast, low-risk orders

We help you size, plan, and deliver. Send marked spans and loads. Add finish notes for tiles or stone. Share access routes and crane limits. We return options and a pack map. Labels match the map for quick picks. Barcodes support yard control. Documents include mill data and test sets. Your buyer gets a clean file for approvals.

Simple seven-step workflow

1. Define span, spacing, and loads.
2. Set deflection and vibration limits.
3. Choose grade for strength and creep.
4. Pick depth to meet comfort.
5. Adjust width for bearing and fixings.
6. Lock lengths and hole zones.
7. Stage packs and book delivery.

FAQs on wood lam beams

How do I choose between LVL and glulam

Pick LVL beams for uniform spans and fast supply. Choose glulam beams for exposed looks and curves.

What if delivery length is longer than access

Ask for shorter pieces or half packs. Plan splice points with the engineer.

Can I rip a beam on site

Avoid rips that reduce depth. Ask for a new size. Seal any cut edges at once.

Which grade suits most floor beams

E15 hits many spans with comfort margin. E13 works for short runs. Long spans may need E16.

How do I read LVL span tables quickly

Start with loads and limits. Find your span line. Read across to size and grade. Confirm with the engineer.

Wood lam beams ordering checklist

• Marked spans by zone and spacing
• Live and dead loads for each line
• Target grade and treatment class
• Preferred sizes and length ranges
• Delivery windows and site access
• Stage labels and barcodes requested

Example staged pack map

Stage	Size mix	Quantity	Notes
Stage 1	63 × 200, 75 × 240	60 pcs	Joists and small headers
Stage 2	90 × 300	24 pcs	Main living beams
Stage 3	120 × 360	12 pcs	Ridge and long headers
Stage 4	120 × 400	8 pcs	Garage spans

SENSO as your partner on wood lam beams

SENSO builds engineered wood beams for real jobs and tight schedules. We focus on quality, speed, and clear data. The result is fewer surprises and better margins. You can order stock sizes or cut-to-length. You can add kits for fixings and brackets. You can request moisture wrap for sea freight. Our team keeps things simple and quick.

Final take and next steps on wood lam beams

Good frames start with the right section. Comfort and line control follow. Costs fall when lifts and cuts drop. Our timber beams deliver that balance on site. Send drawings and a short brief. We will reply with sizes, options, and dates. SENSO stands ready to support your next build with care and speed.

Important note: Use this guide for planning only. Final selections must follow local codes and a qualified engineer’s design.

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