What firms make good glued laminated timber. How to evaluate and choose glued laminated timber

Updated: 09/18/2019 22:30:16 PM

Expert: Vladimir Golitsyn

* Review of the best according to the editorial site. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

On the Russian construction market there is a boom in glued laminated timber. This material has become widely used for the construction of residential cottages, summer houses, baths and gazebos. The material is in demand due to its high strength, good thermal insulation properties and ease of installation. All these qualities are present only in high-quality timber. Since demand creates supply, today the user is offered both domestic and foreign products. Recommendations of our experts will help you find the best combination of price and quality.

How to choose glued laminated timber

Profile dimensions... Today, manufacturers have mastered a wide range of standard sizes. For example, the parameters of the section profile vary from 45x130 mm to 275x275 mm.
If you plan to live in the house permanently, then the thickness of the timber should not be less than 200 mm... The summer house can be built from 160 mm thick material.
Optimal height is in the range of 170-190 mm. Sometimes builders recommend buying timber up to 230 mm high.
Since glued laminated timber is a set of lamellas, it is important to pay attention to their thickness. The thinner the "board", the less quality the timber is considered.
Bar length... Depending on the project of the house, the buyer must choose the correct length of laminated veneer lumber. Not all manufacturers can offer logs longer than 12 m. The disadvantage of long logs is expensive transportation and more complicated installation of the structure. If the enterprise produces sawn timber up to 6 m long, this indicates outdated equipment in the workshops. Joining short logs increases construction costs.
Lamella length... Another factor indicates the quality of laminated veneer lumber. This is the length of the lamellas, which are connected into a single whole. The shorter the individual elements, the worse the quality of the timber. Experts advise to give preference to logs consisting of lamellas longer than 1.5 m.
Sustainability... Safe living of residents in a house depends on the environmental friendliness of the timber. The main source of harmful compounds is glue. Foreign brands have long switched to melamine, polyurethane and EPI compounds. EPI glue is considered the safest. The most budget glued laminated timber can contain phenol-formaldehyde resins, such a material is only suitable for a street gazebo.
Uniformity of the bar. When examining laminated veneer lumber, it is important to pay attention to the uniformity of the lamellas. Ideally, they should be made from the same wood species. If the manufacturer has used different types of wood, then there is a high probability of deformation of the timber when the relative humidity changes. And this will lead to the formation of cracks and cracks in the frame.

We have selected 13 best manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber. All these brands are successfully operating in the Russian market. When compiling the rating, the opinion of the expert community and feedback from domestic consumers were taken into account.

What is better glued or profiled timber

Rating of the best manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber

Nomination	a place	manufacturer	rating
Rating of the best manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber	1		4.9
	2		4.9
	3		4.8
	4		4.8
	5		4.7
	6		4.7
	7		4.7
	8		4.6
	9		4.6
	10		4.5
	11		4.5
	12		4.4
	13		4.3

Lameco Lht Oy

The Finnish company Lameco Lht Oy is a young manufacturer of laminated veneer lumber. However, in a short time, the manufacturer managed to seriously expand its scope of activity. The company started with the manufacture of small orders, and since 2011, customers have been offered a service for the construction of houses from laminated veneer lumber. Today Lameco Lht Oy occupies a leading position in the Finnish market. Ready-made kits of houses are supplied to 20 countries of the world. The products of the Finnish manufacturer are of great interest to Russian consumers. Experts consider the glued laminated timber of this brand to be one of the best in the world.

The manufacturer becomes the winner of our rating for reliability, beautiful appearance, environmental friendliness. Users are satisfied with the high quality of the timber, but the high price is holding back sales growth.

Advantages

high quality;
environmental friendliness;
beautiful appearance;
durability.

disadvantages

high price.

Kontio

The pioneer in the production of laminated veneer lumber is Kontio. It was the employees of this Finnish company that invented a new building material. The brand's products are well known outside the Scandinavian Peninsula. Experts believe that a highlight is the use of Arctic pine, which is harvested in the winter season. A German composition is used as an adhesive system, it does not contain compounds harmful to humans and the environment.

Experts pay attention to dense fiber wood, thanks to this structure, heat is maximally preserved and the durability of the house is ensured. To the pluses, consumers include a rich assortment of sections, good ready-made house kits. The disadvantages include the high price.

Advantages

dense fiber wood;
environmentally friendly glue;
strength and reliability;
durability.

disadvantages

high price.

Since 1995 Timber Frame has been operating in the small Finnish town of Kuhmo. A small company started its activity with the production of log houses. Gradually, customer requests changed, so the company had to modernize its lines. Today the manufacturer offers a unique rounded log, solid rectangular and glued timber. Ready-made house kits are supplied to different countries of the world, including Russia. Consumers appreciate the high quality of the timber, which is made from arctic pine, the perfect balance of the house in terms of humidity and heat, and environmental friendliness.

The brand is among the top three in our rating for a wide range of laminated veneer lumber and excellent heat engineering parameters. The downside is the high price.

Advantages

full production cycle;
wide range of sections;
environmental friendliness and safety;
high heat engineering characteristics.

disadvantages

high price.

Long-term experience (over 30 years) in the field of wood processing allows the Finnish company Finnlamelli to maintain a leading position not only in its own country, but also in Russia. The manufacturer uses selected Scandinavian pine and spruce as the main raw material. Using modern processing technologies, it is possible to achieve reliability, environmental friendliness and durability of the material. A wide range of sawn timber is supplied to the Russian market, as well as ready-made house kits for original designs. In addition, the company provides building assembly services.

Most users are satisfied with the quality of laminated veneer lumber. But there are negative reviews regarding the assembly of houses. Therefore, the brand stopped one step away from the top three in our ranking.

Advantages

rich assortment of lumber;
reliability and durability;
environmental friendliness;
outstanding house designs.

disadvantages

there are complaints about the assembly of houses.

Tree module

The Russian company Modul Drev not so long ago joined the struggle for the domestic consumer, but has already managed to bypass many recognized leaders. First of all, the construction company sets itself the task of high-quality production of laminated veneer lumber. Also, a special division of the company is engaged in the design of houses, baths and gazebos from laminated veneer lumber. The company managed to reduce the time interval from the start of design to the construction of a turnkey facility to 3 months. Pine and spruce from the forests of the Arkhangelsk region are used for the manufacture of timber.

Advantages

favorable prices;
high-quality manufacturing;
tight deadlines for the development and implementation of the project;
environmentally friendly raw materials.

disadvantages

a modest assortment of laminated veneer lumber.

GK Priozersky Lesokombinat

Since 1999, the company GK Priozerskiy Lesokombinat has been operating in the Russian timber market. This largest player in the Northwest Territory has a full cycle of timber processing. The company specializes in the production of laminated veneer lumber and the construction of houses from it. More than 150 home kits are produced every year. The quality of the products is confirmed by certificates, the company participated in the construction of facilities for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The manufacturer offers buyers 6 standard sizes of timber, as well as many types of sawn timber.

Advantages

environmental friendliness;
fast assembly of houses;
keeps warm for a long time;
a wide range of.

disadvantages

high price;
cracks appear in the timber.

The legendary Honka company has been working in wood processing since 1958. The manufacturer began as a family business, today it is an international corporation with production sites in 30 countries. The Finnish brand's products are sold in 50 countries around the world. Even the house of the British Queen was built by this company. HONKA became a pioneer in the Russian market as well. The range of laminated veneer lumber consists of 5 standard sizes, experts note the high quality of multi-lamellar lumber. What prevented the well-known brand from taking a higher place in our rating?

Users consider the high price to be the first drawback. Discontent is also expressed against builders who are building houses. Due to the violation of technology, the timber will crack in the future.

Advantages

centuries-old traditions;
innovative technologies;
high-quality timber;
developed distribution network.

disadvantages

high price;
poor quality work of builders.

Vishera is considered an authoritative Russian manufacturer of glued laminated timber houses. The company was founded in 1993; in a relatively short period of time, the employees managed to accumulate invaluable experience both in design and in the manufacture of timber and assembly of houses. The manufacturer specializes in creating elite category home kits. The Russian company in the forefront has switched to industrial methods of house-building from laminated veneer lumber. The Moscow Region plant has a full production cycle, annually it can create up to 100 house sets.

Users are satisfied with the microclimate in Visher's houses, with the pace of construction work. But over time, the timber begins to creak and clicks, heat leaves the house and condensation accumulates.

Advantages

full production cycle;
modern technologies;
own developments and inventions;
advanced equipment.

disadvantages

high price;
miscalculations in design.

HOLZ HOUSE

The products of the Russian company HOLZ-HOUSE are in no way inferior to the Finnish glued laminated timber. The young manufacturer has been building wooden houses since 1998, both according to standard and individual projects. The company offers a wide range of services to domestic consumers. By combining the best world traditions of wooden housing construction with innovative technologies for wood processing, the ambitious player manages to maintain a leading position in our country. Raw materials for the production of laminated veneer lumber are imported from the Komi Republic.

Negative consumer reviews did not allow the brand to rise to a higher position in our rating. Often, the delivery time for house kits is disrupted, a fungus quickly appears on the lower rows.

Advantages

many house projects;
quality raw materials;
a wide range of services;
innovative technologies.

disadvantages

the delivery time for home kits is disrupted;
poor antiseptic treatment.

Plant "OLES"

The leading manufacturer of laminated veneer lumber in Russia is the wood processing plant "OLES". Thanks to the use of modern technologies and the presence of its own raw material base, the company manages to create house kits adapted to our climate. The length of laminated veneer lumber reaches 13.5 m, so it is possible to bring to life the most unusual projects. The construction team of the plant works all year round, so the number of completed projects is constantly growing. The main raw materials are traditional pine and spruce, which is harvested in the Arkhangelsk region, Siberia and Valdai.

Domestic consumers have tested the quality of the OLES laminated veneer lumber during construction and operation. Instead of 5 lamellas in the logs, there are up to 9, and the edges of multi-lamellas quickly peel off.

Advantages

long bar;
full production cycle;
environmentally friendly raw materials;
reasonable prices.

disadvantages

unstable quality.

GLAVSTROY 365

The company GLAVSTROY 365 began its activity in the field of wooden housing construction with the design of country cottages. Gradually, our own construction teams and production sites appeared. Today the company offers a wide range of services, from project visualization to turnkey construction. Experts note the affordability of products, for which the brand is included in our rating. Employees of the enterprise actively work with clients, confirmation of this is the use of a large number of customer projects (up to 60% of all work).

Users have received flattering reviews about the quality of laminated veneer lumber and compliance with the construction deadlines. Only the product range leaves much to be desired.

Advantages

high-quality timber;
attentive attitude to clients;
design assistance;
qualified builders.

disadvantages

poor assortment.

Evlashevsky DOK

The wood processing plant Yevlashevsky DOK has a glorious history. Only since 1958 has it experienced several production modernizations, a change of owners, the destruction of old workshops and the construction of new modern sites. Accordingly, the range of products changed with the same frequency. Today, the workers of the plant set themselves ambitious tasks, they build houses, baths and gazebos from glued laminated timber throughout the country. The experts took into account the feedback from domestic users and gave the brand 12th place in our rating.

One of the main problems that buyers of home kits had to face was the delay in deliveries. Because of this, it was necessary to postpone the construction time, to resolve controversial issues in court.

Advantages

rich experience in woodworking;
building houses throughout the country;
modern production;
reasonable prices.

disadvantages

delivery times are often missed;
ineffective feedback.

DDM-Stroy

For more than 12 years the company DDM-Stroy has been producing houses from glued laminated timber. She is considered a recognized leader in the field of low-rise housing construction. In 2014, the brand won the Lesstroy Awards in the "Manufacturer of the Year" category. The company boasts its own production of laminated veneer lumber. The production workshops are equipped with modern equipment; the company cultivates a high production culture. The brand is included in our rating for high-quality glued laminated timber, rich experience in the design and construction of houses and a three-year warranty.

Consumers attribute a high price to the disadvantages of laminated veneer lumber, and the company cannot boast of the number of houses built.

Advantages

modern woodworking equipment;
high production culture;
rich experience in design;
three-year warranty.

disadvantages

high price;
a small list of completed projects.

Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The multi-stage technological process for the production of laminated veneer lumber from logs to finished parts of the house allows Koivisto to provide perfectly accurate production of glued laminated lumber of excellent quality. The excellent quality of the glued profiled timber is the absence of unevenness, roughness, the correct humidity, the correct profile, and only then the manufacture of house parts, according to the project. Therefore, only a complete production cycle from logs to parts, carried out on quality equipment, will make it possible to create a quality product.

Only with the help of a good glued profiled beam can you create a comfortable, solid house that meets all modern comfort requirements. However, it is worth noting that only with proper design and installation, heat loss problems are excluded and comfort in the operation of the finished structure is ensured.

The production of a wall kit consists of the following technological processes

Sawing of a log is carried out after sorting wood by species and thickness

Preparation and sorting of sawn timber for laying in drying chambers

After the primary sorting of wood by thickness, the lumber is placed in packages and loaded into drying chambers of the Austrian company Muhlbock-Vanicek and dried to 10% ± 2 moisture content. Each type of wood goes through its own specific drying cycle (spruce - 7 days, pine - 10 days, cedar - 10 days, larch - 25 days). The entire drying process is controlled by automation. This percentage of wood moisture after drying ensures the absence of further deformation of the lumber, both in glued beams and in planed moldings (floor boards, planks, imitation beams, rafters, floor joists).

Manufacturing of lamellas and their sorting

Dried sawn timber undergoes secondary sorting according to% moisture content, required parameters (width, thickness) and defects that have appeared: cracks, warpage, knots, blue. Boards that have passed this sorting go to the splice line along the length. Splicing involves obtaining lamellas 13.4 meters long of two types: front lamellas and internal lamellas. The quality of the face lamellas must meet the requirements of the TU for the wall beam and have a distance between the splicing lines of at least 750 mm.

Lamellas intended for use inside a bar meet less stringent requirements, but at the same time they correspond to high-quality wood: no blue, no rot, compliance with geometric parameters, no mixing of different types of wood.

Manufacturing of laminated veneer lumber is carried out on:

The finished 13-meter lamellas pass the fourth stage of control: for the quality of the splicing and the appearance of the lamellas. Further, after preliminary shaving, the finished lamellas with the use of environmentally friendly AICA glue (Japan) are fed to the press for gluing at the required thickness. The section of glued laminated timber is determined by a specific project or the purpose of the timber.

On the KRUSI CMI 4 × 4 machine (Switzerland), the automated production of house parts takes place. Further, the fifth stage of control: for the quality of gouging of a bar and the accuracy of cutting of nodal joints.

House parts packing

House parts are packed in black and white film, which excludes the appearance of condensation during storage and transportation. This type of film will help you ensure long-term storage of house parts on the construction site and compliance with the rules for wall installation (covering the upper crowns at night).

The finished glued laminated timber can be treated with protective impregnations (water-repellent, fire-resistant, antifungal). However, properly dried coniferous wood, even without treatment, resists weathering well and does not require a topcoat for some time.

Distinctive characteristics of the production of LLC "Koivisto":

We make glued beams from such types of wood as: pine, spruce, cedar, larch;
When making house parts - mixing of different types of wood is excluded;
In the manufacture of timber, environmentally friendly glue is used;
The moisture content of the timber does not exceed 12%, which improves resistance to weathering;
Facing lamella splicing line not less than 750 mm, which improves the appearance;
When profiling three types of timber profiles are used: with insulation, without insulation, "Finnish";
We make a double gluing bar;
We make beams with a cross section of up to 500 mm and a length of up to 13.4 meters;
At the request of the buyer, the wall beam is completed with everything necessary for construction with moldings (imitation, floor board, bar, rafters, logs, posts) and fasteners.

There are a large number of laminated veneer lumber options on the market. All of them are quite different both in price and in properties. What to look for when choosing a quality glued laminated timber? What are the quality characteristics of laminated veneer lumber and how to evaluate them?

Manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber, relatively speaking, are limited by their production conditions, the type of equipment and technology used. We work with different manufacturers and will try to give an objective answer to the question: "Which glued laminated timber is more preferable for the end customer and why?"

Let's consider by what parameters to evaluate and choose glued laminated timber, what they affect and how to control them.

By wood species

Glued laminated timber is produced from pine, spruce, cedar, larch and combinations of different types of wood.

Pine and spruce

These types of wood are most often used in the production of laminated veneer lumber, because they are affordable and easy to process in production.

Feature! The place of growth strongly influences the quality characteristics of wood. Wood from the Siberian region is more dense (this can be determined by the annual rings on the end part of the timber), even in appearance it differs from wood from the central region. As a rule, glued laminated timber from such wood is more expensive and, in our experience, is justified.

Cedar and larch

These types of wood are less commonly used in the production of laminated veneer lumber, since they are in less demand on the market. The main reason is the higher cost with similar consumer characteristics.
The advantages of these rocks are: higher density, less exposure to weathering and a longer life at home.

Feature! Distinctive appearance: larch and cedar have a peculiar texture, which is most pronounced after painting.

Combined glued laminated timber

Such glued laminated timber consists of lamellas of different types of wood. As a rule, on the outer face lamellas, species of more expensive types of wood are used - larch, cedar, sometimes even birch, and inside - cheaper pine or spruce.

In addition to the appearance, there are no significant differences in the combined glued laminated timber, as our experience shows.

We leave the choice of wood species for laminated veneer lumber to the customer, usually the appearance and cost become the decisive factors.

By profile type: Finnish or German

There are two main types of profile:

Finnish - smooth, with insulation.
German - "comb".

Other profile types are a modernized version of one of these profiles.

For the Finnish profile, Rive-line heaters, jute, Shelter, foam rubber and a number of others are used.

Features to consider when assessing laminated veneer lumber by profile type:

Equipment. The quality of laminated veneer lumber is influenced not so much by the type of profile as by the characteristics of the equipment on which it was manufactured. The uniformity of the geometric parameters of the profile and the tightness of the timber along the profile depend on the regularity of sharpening of the knives that cut the profile.
The cost of insulation and its installation. Construction of a house made of laminated veneer lumber with insulation includes the costs of the insulation itself (the higher its quality, the more costs) and its installation.
The ends. The ends of laminated veneer lumber in a place where precipitation can penetrate into the insulation is a place of risk for obvious reasons.
Thermal insulation. Subject to the production and assembly technologies, glued laminated timber with any profile provides the same thermal insulation performance with an equal thickness.
Appearance. The type of profile affects how the ends will look in the house. The choice of the profile is based only on the personal preferences of the customers. Someone fundamentally does not like the "comb", and someone treats it neutrally.

For most of our projects, we choose glued laminated timber without insulation with three spikes as the best option.

By section: height and thickness

The minimum thickness of laminated veneer lumber is 80 mm, the maximum thickness that is used in bulk is 300 mm.

By height, glued laminated timber can be divided into two types:

One-story - from a board of the same width. Most often it is a beam of two types: 140 mm high and 185-200 mm high. These dimensions are determined by the standard of the board from which the timber is made.

Two-story - a high bar, which takes place gluing along the horizontal plane of the bar. It usually has a height of 240-270 mm. It is also determined by the size of the board, from which the timber is made, and the production technology (sharpening and "cutting" of the profile affect).

The determining factor of what kind of timber the manufacturer produces is the type of equipment. Not on any equipment it is possible to cut cups for a bar with a cross section of even 270 (h) × 200 mm, not to mention large cross sections.

The thickness of the timber affects the thermal insulation properties of the house wall.

It is advisable to select the thickness of the timber according to the type of construction:

for small unheated outbuildings, it is allowed to use a bar with a section of 80-140 mm,
for baths, guest houses and houses of seasonal residence - from 160 mm,
in houses for permanent residence - from 200 mm.

The height of the timber is determined more by architectural and stylistic considerations, depending on the size of the house / building. Houses of a large area (from 250 m²) from the point of view of architecture look better from a bar with a height of 270 mm.

The advantages of building houses from "high" timber:

the assembly time is shorter and the cost is cheaper;
fewer grooves that need to be sanded when painting, which means painting is cheaper;
fewer joints along the profile, which means potential places of heat loss.

According to technical conditions

As of February 2017, there are no GOST standards for glued laminated timber in Russia. Manufacturers independently reflect all the main quality characteristics of laminated veneer lumber in their technical specifications (TU).

When assessing the manufacturer's specifications, you should definitely pay attention to several points:

Minimum permissible length of outer splice lamellas, especially on the front side. If the specified length is 300 mm, the manufacturer has the right to supply a bar of 300 mm lamellas. Since the texture of the wood after painting appears in different ways, the wall of the house with such a length of lamellas can look like a "checkerboard". The minimum length of one composite face lamella should not be less than 1200 mm.
Knots by their type, number and location on the outer and inner lamellas.
The presence of resin pockets on the outer lamellas.
Geometric dimensions of laminated veneer lumber.
The percentage of moisture that can be measured with a special device - a moisture meter. The moisture content of laminated veneer lumber at the acceptance should be 12%.

By type of equipment for the manufacture of a house kit

The appearance of the house (absence of cracks, accuracy of adjoining parts, the ability to implement different architectural solutions) and its operational characteristics depend on the type of equipment for the manufacture of a house kit.

Numerical Control Equipment (CNC)

The project of the house kit is developed in a specialized program, then loaded into the CNC equipment that produces every detail. On such equipment it is possible to produce structurally complex parts with a high accuracy tolerance with minimal human factor.

For example, with the Hundegger K2i CNC Universal Homebuilding Center, it is possible to produce joining structures - Gerbera joint, Tyrolean castle and dovetail - for houses with complex architecture and high quality standards.

Corner joints "cut" or "cups" - one of the most critical units in houses made of laminated veneer lumber. The thermal insulation characteristics of the house depend on the accuracy with which they will be made.

Conventional cup cutter and manual equipment

On such equipment, glued laminated timber house kits are produced with human participation and a large amount of manual labor, and the machines themselves have a lower accuracy tolerance for cutting. It is technically impossible to manufacture some structural elements and joints using such equipment. The accuracy of fitting parts for house kits is lower than on CNC equipment.

By country of origin: domestic or foreign glued laminated timber

The ancestor of the production of laminated veneer lumber is Europe, in Russia it appeared a little later. Now the leading manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber in Russia and in Europe use the same glue, the same CNC equipment for the manufacture of house kits.

The main difference is the stable adherence to the quality parameters of laminated veneer lumber and the smooth running of the production technology. In our experience, domestic manufacturers require closer control.

European manufacturers

Blanks (beams) for laminated veneer lumber are produced at one large plant, where the boards are dried, sharpened and glued. These blanks are bought by small manufacturers who specialize only in profile cutting and making house kits. Thanks to this division of the glued laminated timber production cycle, these companies maintain stable quality.

Feature! Some Finnish manufacturers can glue 60-80 mm thick planks. Accordingly, a bar 200 mm thick consists of three lamellas, and not five, as in domestic ones, which produce a bar from lamellas 40-50 mm thick.

Major foreign manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber: Honka, LUMI POLAR (formerly Honkatalot brand), Ikihirsi, Finnlamelli, Makihouse, Polar Life Haus and others.

Domestic manufacturers

Domestic manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber, even if they are small companies, fully carry out the full production cycle: purchasing boards, drying, cutting, gluing, profiling, manufacturing of a house kit. This number of operations requires more serious management costs to maintain the desired result and more control.

By the type of lamella gluing: vertical or horizontal

Most manufacturers of glued laminated timber produce timber with vertical gluing of lamellas. Such a beam has been used in the construction of houses since the appearance of this material on the market, and no complaints have been identified with respect to the production technology.

In the last few years, more and more variants of glued laminated timber with horizontal gluing have appeared. Manufacturers position it as "breathable" due to the absence of vertical glue joints, which can impede the natural property of wood - vapor permeability (air movement from street to room and from room to street). Objectively, this is true.

The greater number of glue lines on the outer surface of the glued laminated timber compared to the vertically glued timber affects:

Wall surface appearance... The area of \u200b\u200bmonolithic, with a uniform texture of wood sections of the wall will be smaller.
Adhesive seams... Requirements for them are increasing, since there are more of them on the outside, which is affected by the environment.
Glued laminated timber painting... Horizontal glued timber is a new material, and so far enough practical experience has not been accumulated to assert which paints and oils are better to select, how they will look, how the natural texture of wood will appear.

Quality glued laminated timber \u003d quality home?

We considered 7 priority parameters that must be taken into account when assessing the quality of laminated veneer lumber: wood species, type of profile, section, technical conditions, type of equipment, country of origin, type of lamella gluing.

The high quality of laminated veneer lumber does not guarantee the high quality of the house. Errors during production, installation, finishing can spoil any material and lead to undesirable consequences.

Catalog of projects of houses and baths

more about this house #terrace, #barbecue area, #the attic, # hi-tech, #fireplace, #office, #boiler room area 151 sq.m number of storeys 1
more about this house #terrace, #barbecue area, # hi-tech area 161 sq.m number of storeys 1
more about this house #terrace, # hi-tech, #fireplace, #office, #boiler room area 210 sq.m number of storeys 1
more about this house #balcony, #veranda, #the attic, # hi-tech, #fireplace, #patio, #office, #the second light, #boiler room area 368 sq.m number of storeys 2

The best manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber houses reveal professional secrets to help navigate the construction market and save on basic materials.

It is no secret that there is one basic requirement for any building - it must be durable. However, comfort, environmental friendliness and speed of construction also play an important role. The popularity of houses built of laminated veneer lumber is growing, because the indicators for all of the above criteria are at their best.

Large developers have long understood that the supply of quality material can only be guaranteed by a manufacturer who values \u200b\u200bits reputation and uses innovations in production. Thus, a kind of rating was compiled, known only to a narrow circle of professionals, which includes a list of Russian and foreign manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber. After reading this useful information, you can significantly save on the construction process without losing anything in quality.

What will be discussed:

What affects the price of a material?

A manufacturer of glued profiled timber can earn the trust of developers if its material is highly rated according to the following criteria:

the quality of the adhesive;
the type of wood used;
sufficient cross-sectional area.

The first factor provides half of the technical requirements for the material as a whole. The quality of the glue (polyurethane, melamine or isoacetate) determines the environmental friendliness of the building and the service life, as well as the frost resistance of the timber. The type of wood chosen for production greatly affects the final price (oak beams are more expensive than alder or aspen). A large cross-sectional area is chosen for solid and massive buildings, that is, this factor affects the durability of the structure.

It is worth considering two additional points - this is the time of year at which the material is purchased, and the costs of advertising, delivery and other services from the manufacturer.

Why choose timber?

The thing is that the material has much more advantages than disadvantages. The best manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber (we will announce their list below) claim that their material is a worthy competitor to brick buildings. The following facts will force you to agree with them:

houses from a bar have practically no shrinkage;
the geometric parameters of buildings will not change over time and are independent of the weather conditions of the area;
complete absence of waste, especially if standard timber sizes are used;
special processing of hewn logs allows you not to make external wall cladding, which reduces costs;
impregnation compounds ensure fire resistance of wooden elements;
the installation of the building is quick and easy, and the appearance of the house made of laminated veneer lumber is solid and rich.

Baths and houses, outbuildings, summer cottages - you cannot count the options where glued logs will successfully replace the usual material.

Additional advantage

Private developers will appreciate a ready-made house kit made of laminated veneer lumber from the manufacturer. However, such an option as houses from a profiled bar is also quite popular.

It is the profiled timber that has clearly defined parameters that are observed during cutting. This allows you to build typical buildings (bathhouse, annex, country house) very quickly, purchasing a house kit immediately and completely, without wasting time on fitting or joining building elements.

By the way, historians claim that our ancestors built huts according to the same principle, and at fairs it was possible to disassemble a house you liked right away and take it to your site. Technology has modernized the process, but the essence remains the same.

The profiled timber fits tightly with each other, there are practically no gaps, which allows manufacturers to guarantee high thermal insulation characteristics of future buildings. The owners can build a house themselves, having assembled this "constructor" without the participation of additional hired workers. A house set made of profiled hewn logs is the ideal solution for saving the family budget. By ordering a house project and material from one manufacturer, you will be able to save another part of the money included in the estimate. At the same time, it is easy to control the quality of the goods. The only inconvenience is the fact that a house or a bathhouse made of profiled timber will require additional time for shrinkage, in contrast to its own glued analogue.

Reputable leaders

We will open the cards in full and announce the list of laminated veneer lumber manufacturers who have earned a high reputation and authority in the Russian construction market. Let's preliminarily reveal a couple of little secrets:

By ordering several home kits directly from the manufacturer, you can significantly save money, which is what large developers use;
Ordering even one turnkey building will be cheaper than buying all the material yourself, making calculations and paying for the project. Less the hassle, which is mandatory in such cases, and there is a clear profit.

It is quite possible to build a house from laminated veneer lumber from the manufacturer, and not regret the quality later. To do this, let's study the promised unofficial rating:

Foreign companies - "Kontio", "Honka", "Timberhirs". Each of them has its own exclusive distinctive features. However, they all have a well-deserved authority in the construction industry, and the quality of materials always deserves only rave reviews;
Russian companies - "Vishera", "ZDZ", "DSK Klest", "Lestorgsnab", "Massiv", "DDM Stroy". It is practically impossible to list all the worthy ones, but we have mentioned the best representatives of this industry. They are allowed to compete with their Western counterparts with lower prices, which also generate positive reviews.

A private citizen will not be able to cooperate with these manufacturing giants, but you can trust the quality of the material.

Outcome

Manufacturers of laminated veneer lumber houses are professionals who anticipate the wishes of customers. By contacting them, you will be able to save not only finances and nerves, but also time.

Timber construction is currently at the peak of its popularity, and the sawn timber market is replete with various offers: chopped), timber (regular and profiled, solid, solid and glued).

Manufacturers are changing drying and processing technologies to give the lumber additional properties and eliminate the disadvantages inherent in natural wood. As usual, making adjustments to improve some properties can have a negative impact on other properties of the wood.

One of the materials in demand is profiled timber, which has such characteristics as:

stability of linear dimensions;
strong docking of the beams, which excludes the appearance of mezhventsovye gaps and moisture leakage;
good thermal insulation properties;
ease of installation;
aesthetic appearance;
acceptable combination of quality and cost;
long period of operation.

Note that these advantages are typical for all types of processed timber. Nevertheless, one of the hottest debates that flare up around the topic of choosing a tree for building a house is the comparison of profiled solid and glued beams. Opinions differ, there are many arguments arguing the advantages and disadvantages, all other things being equal.

Glued laminated timber or profiled timber - which is better to choose?

Let's analyze the characteristics and properties in order to figure out what is the difference between these materials made from the same raw materials using a similar technology, comparing them by a number of parameters:

1. Raw materials

Made from solid wood. Initial raw materials are rejected, then a long process of natural or chamber drying, re-inspection for defects and processing on profiling equipment.

It is produced by gluing prepared, chamber-dried lamellas. This approach allows you to reduce the percentage of rejects, due to the ability to eliminate the defect on the part of the lamella. And also to exclude cracking and twisting of wood.

For the manufacture of timber, from two to five lamellas are used. This allows the manufacturer to vary the price by using different types of wood.

For example, the central slats can be made of pine, and the front ones can be made of larch or cedar. Material prepared for the site www.site

2. Sizes of a bar

The dimensions of the profiled timber are limited by the length of the wooden blanks. The standard length of the bar, as a rule, is 6 lm. or multiples of 2 and 3 lm

Standard sections include: 100x100, 150x150, 200x200. Manufacturers also offer non-standard sizes made for a specific project, but their cross-section rarely exceeds 200x200, which is associated with the complexity of drying. The thicker the array, the more difficult it is to ensure uniform drying.

Sizes of laminated veneer lumber vary in a wider range, and the maximum width reaches 275 mm. Due to the fact that the lamellas can be spliced \u200b\u200balong the length, in some cases the length of the glued beam can reach 18 m. This length is made to order, (transportation to the construction site and the complexity of working with a long bar leaves its mark on its length).

Note that the greater the width of the timber, the higher the thermal conductivity of the structure.

3. Environmental friendliness

Eco-characteristic is the main argument in the dispute about what is the difference between profiled and glued timber and which one is safe for humans and the environment.

The main emphasis is on the use of glue, which contains chemical compounds, in the production of laminated veneer lumber. The lamellas are glued together using polyurethane or polyvinyl acetate glue. Opponents of laminated veneer lumber, this gives grounds to assert that one has to forget about the environmentally friendly purity of glued laminated lumber.

However, adhesive mixtures are not uniform in composition and are classified from hazardous (FC2) to safe (FC0). Timber manufacturers are required to provide a document containing data on which glue was used in production and confirming the level of formaldehyde content.

It is worth noting that the profiled timber also undergoes additional treatment with antiseptics and fire retardants. In addition, in the production of timber, only the inner part of the log is used, which is freed from the protective bark and is looser. And this means that in order to maintain the operational characteristics of a house made of profiled timber, its walls must be periodically recoated with special compounds designed to protect the wood from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and other atmospheric phenomena.

4. Air exchange

The vapor permeability of the profiled bar corresponds to the indicator for the type of wood from which it is made. Also, solid wood retains the ability to maintain a favorable microclimate, which is very important for a private house.

In a glued bar, this figure is much lower, because the lamellas are located in different orientations, and there is also an adhesive layer that prevents partially free air movement through the pores of the wood.

5. Humidity

The natural moisture content of wood depends on the species and the season of harvesting and can reach 40-50%. But, material with a moisture content of no higher than 15% +/- 3% is suitable for construction (for outdoor work, according to GOST 8486-86).

To reduce the moisture level, as well as to avoid twisting and cracking of wood, manufacturers subject the timber to drying: natural or forced (in chambers). The drier the timber, the less shrinkage the building constructed from it will give.

Optimum moisture content of laminated veneer lumber - 11-14%, profiled - 15-18%. But, we note that over time, both types of timber will draw moisture from the external environment and gradually their indicators will be approximately the same.

6. Shrinkage

Indicator derived from humidity. Glued laminated timber shrinks 0.4-1%, profiled - 3-5%, natural drying - up to 8%.

7. Durability

By this indicator, glued is superior to profiled, because for its production, denser lamellas are used, cut from different parts of the log (core, heart-shaped rays, annual rings), in the production of profiled timber only the core is used, the loosest part of the trunk.

8. Deformation

Twisting of the timber is excluded when stored correctly. As for the appearance of cracks on an already finished structure, the probability of their appearance remains for both types of timber, both profiled (no more than 1 mm wide) and glued (depending on the quality of gluing).

9. Biological resistance

Both types of timber are processed during the manufacturing process with special protective compounds. Therefore, the likelihood of the appearance of fungus, mold or wood bugs is minimal.

10. Fire safety

Glued laminated timber burns much slower, this factor is very important for a sauna.

11. Aesthetics

Profiled and glued beams have a high quality of processing of the front surface, which makes it possible to do without additional finishing, both internal and external. However, often, construction is carried out with a bar 150x150 mm thick and there is a need for additional insulation.

As for the installation of window and door frames, the warm contour of a house built from laminated veneer lumber can be performed immediately after construction (assembly). But profiled shrinks - you need to wait up to six months or use casing boxes.

12. Price

If we compare the initial costs, then the cost of profiled timber is 30% lower than the price of laminated veneer lumber. But, in the process of operation, higher costs are required to maintain the appearance of a house from a profiled bar.

13. Probability of counterfeit

Profiled timber is sold in large quantities. The timber can be profiled in artisanal conditions. The possibility of reliable installation will be provided only by material made on high-precision equipment. It is more difficult to make a counterfeit laminated veneer lumber, because it is difficult to ensure the process of gluing the lamellas.

Which is better, profiled or glued beams - table

Summary data on the compared parameters (what to choose, which timber is better than the difference and which one needs to be used to build a house) are entered in the table

Parameter	Profiled timber	Glued laminated timber
Raw materials	Solid wood	Prepared lumber, glued under pressure
Drying	Natural or chamber	Chamber
Sizes of a bar	Maximum section 200x200 mm Maximum length - 6 lm	Maximum section 275x275 mm Maximum length - 18 lm
Sustainability	Does not contain harmful substances	The content of harmful components in the adhesive composition is within the permissible limits
Air exchange	Natural inherent in the wood species	Violated
Humidity	15-18%	11-14%
Shrinkage	With chamber drying - 3-5% With natural - up to 8%	0,4-1%
Strength	Low	High
Deformations	Allowed no more than 1 mm wide	Likely. Depends on the quality of bonding
Biological resistance	High	High
Fire safety	Average	High
Aesthetics	Average. Dead knots and dark spots may occur	High
Finishing work	After 0.5-1 year or use casing	Immediately upon completion of construction
Loss of properties during operation	Cracks appear requiring caulking	Not
Price	30% lower than glued	High
The likelihood of counterfeit (fake)	High	Minor

As you can see, the question of which is better, glued or profiled timber, does not have an unambiguous answer, and the choice is distinguished by a rather high degree of subjectivity.