BOISE GLULAM

Beauty Meets Flexibility

BOISE GLULAM is a versatile, proven-to-perform structural engineered wood solution.

Product Overview

From extra-long roof spans to curved beams and common headers to dramatic columns, BOISE GLULAM® gives you the rich, natural look of wood with important benefits engineered in. 

With a wide variety of sizes and appearance options, BOISE GLULAM beams are one of the most versatile engineered wood products available. Indoors and out, exposed or concealed, count on BOISE GLULAM as a cost-effective and easy-to-install alternative for beam applications, adding functional beauty to single family, multifamily, and light commercial construction. Choose from stock beams or custom beams for large cross-sections, longer lengths, curved shapes, and more.

BOISE GLULAM Benefits

    • Extremely versatile engineered wood technology
    • Use exposed (interior or exterior) or in-wall structural applications
    • Cost-competitive for simple or complex projects
    • Available in sanded, rough sawn, or planer finish
    • SFI® Chain-of-Custody or Certified Sourcing qualified products available — earn LEED® or NGBS™ green building credits
    • Produced primarily from sustainably harvested logs from the Pacific Northwest
    • Manufactured from Douglas Fir/Larch or Alaska Yellow Cedar. Alaska Yellow Cedar is a naturally-resistant species that is a green alternative to pressure-treated wood
    • Can be purpose-designed for your project

How It’s Made

Manufactured in a variety of widths (3 ⅛″ to 14 ¼″) and depths (6″ to 48″), and in lengths up to 66 feet, with or without camber, BOISE GLULAM is tremendously versatile. Grades range from Industrial to Architectural appearances where customers can choose the ideal strength and appearance combination. (Laminations are 10-12% MC maximum 15%.) The beams are made with exterior-grade or wet-use adhesives, suitable for many different interior and exterior applications.

Standard Widths:
3 ⅛″ to 14 ¼″

Depth:
Ranges from 6″ to 48″ standard. Custom sizing available

Lengths:
Stock lengths up to 60 feet – longer lengths available for special orders

Camber:
Optional

Note: Not all sizes available standard in all grades and finishes

Frequently Asked Questions About Glulam Beams

What is glulam?

Glulam is short for “glued laminated timber.” It is one of the original engineered wood products made by bonding together individual pieces of lumber with adhesives to create large, strong, and versatile beams.

How are glulam beams made?

Glulam beams are made by stacking and gluing together multiple layers of dimension lumber, typically using softwood species such as Douglas Fir/Larch or Alaskan Yellow Cedar for outdoor applications. The layers are then pressed and bonded under high pressure to form a solid beam.

How does glulam compare to LVL?

Glulam and LVL (laminated veneer lumber) are both engineered wood products, but they differ in their construction. Glulam is made by bonding dimension lumber together, whereas LVL is made by bonding thin layers of wood veneers together.

What species is glulam made from?

Glulam beams can be made from various species of softwood, including Douglas Fir, Larch and Alaskan Yellow Cedar. The choice of species depends on factors such as local availability, structural requirements, aesthetic preferences, and application.

Where can glulam be used?

Glulam beams have a wide range of applications. They are commonly used in residential and commercial construction for beams, columns, and headers. Glulam can also be found in bridges, sports stadiums, exhibition halls, churches, and other structures where long spans and structural strength are required. Depending on the species used, they can be used for internal or exposed applications—Alaskan Yellow Cedar can be used in a deck application.

Do glulam beams have camber?

Yes, many glulam beams may have a slight camber, which means they are slightly curved along their length. The camber is intentionally designed to counteract the natural deflection that occurs when the beam supports a load. When installing a glulam beam, it is important to orient it with the crown (top) facing upward to ensure proper load distribution.

Can you drill holes in a glulam beam?

Yes, it is possible to drill holes in Boise Glulam® beams. However, it is crucial to follow our guidelines and engineering specifications to ensure the structural integrity of the beam is not compromised. Generally, the size, location, and orientation of the holes should be determined by a qualified engineer or the glulam manufacturer.

Refer to the Boise Cascade® Glulam Beam and Specifiers Guide to determine the approved hole location for BOISE GLULAM beams.

Can glulam be used as a column?

Yes, glulam can be used as a column or post in construction. Glulam columns provide excellent load-bearing capacity and structural stability. Like other glulam applications, the selection and sizing of glulam columns should be based on engineering considerations, taking into account the specific design requirements and loads imposed on the column.

Refer to the Boise Cascade® Glulam Beam and Specifiers Guide or our King Beam Specifiers Guide to determine Column Allowable Design Stresses.

  • Performance Over Long Spans

    Professionals rely on BOISE GLULAM to solve a wide range of challenges. Whether you're tackling extra-long spans or designing custom arches, glulam beams can provide the strength you need — plus the rich look of natural wood. BOISE GLULAM gives you the strength and performance you want on the job site with superior service you need for your business — and for your customers.

  • Aesthetically Pleasing

    Glulam is a sought-after material for exposed beam applications because it offers a rich, warm feel and eye-catching visuals. Our glulam is manufactured with Douglas Fir/Larch and Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Alaskan Yellow Cedar is a naturally resistant species that is a green alternative to pressure-treated wood. Several appearance grades are available, depending on application.

  • Versatile & Sustainable

    BOISE GLULAM beams can be ordered to be SFI® Chain-of-Custody Certified or Certified Sourcing to earn LEED® or NGBS™ green building credits.

Product Literature

TitleResource TypeShareresource-category_hfilterregion_hfilter
Boise Glulam Beam & Column Specifier’s Guide – GLM-5000*Popular, Product / Specifier GuideViewaa-popular product-specifier-guideus-east us-west canada-east canada-west
APA PR-L313 BOISE GLULAM® and KING BEAM® Code ReportCode ReportViewcode-reportus-east us-west canada-east canada-west
King Beam 3000 Specifier’s Guide – GLM-5100Product / Specifier GuideViewproduct-specifier-guideus-west
Boise Glulam 24F-V4 IJC Guide (I-joist compatible guide) – GLM-5002Product / Specifier GuideViewproduct-specifier-guideus-west
Alaska Yellow Cedar Specifier’s guide – GLM-5041Product / Specifier GuideViewproduct-specifier-guideus-west
Boise Glulam: Beauty Meets Flexibility – GLM-5005Product FlyerViewproduct-flyerus-west
Alaska Yellow Cedar Durable BeamProduct FlyerViewproduct-flyerus-west
3 1/2″ & 5 1/2″ Boise Glulam 24F-V4/DF Header Load Tables – BG-6Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
BCI / AJS Joist, VERSA-LAM & BOISE GLULAM Exterior Exposure Policy – GE-4Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
BOISE GLULAM Allowable Hole Chart – BG-3Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
BOISE GLULAM Cedar Beam Allowable Stress Values – BG-9Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
BOISE GLULAM Header Conversion Table – BG-4Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
BOISE GLULAM Header Conversion Table (5 1/8″) – BG-5Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Cedar Glulam Design in Exterior Applications – BG-8Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Checking of Glulam Beams – BG-1Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Electrical Wiring Installation Horizontal Holes – GE-27Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Feet & Inches on a Regular Calculator – GE-9Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Flame Spread Classifications and Corresponding Surface Treatments – GE-13Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
High Slope Roofs – GE-12Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Formaldehyde & Engineered Wood Products – GE-15Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Inverted Boise Glulam 24F-V4/DF Header Load Table – BG-7Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Lateral Bracing of Joists and Beams – GE-16Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Inverted Installation of BOISE GLULAM Beams in Simple Span Applications – BG-2Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
PreserveTech HW / Royal Pacific Industries Insect-Treated Engineered Wood Products for Hawaii – GE-26Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Pressure and Topical Applications and Treatments – GE-25Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Required Separation Between Garage and Living Space Above – GE-5Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Temperature and Moisture Content of Engineered Wood Products During Manufacturing – GE-10Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Use of Boise Cascade EWP for Concrete Formwork – GE-24Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Use of Engineered Wood Products in International Shipping Pallets and Packaging – GE-17Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Vertical Load Transfer over Bearings within BC FRAMER & BC CALC – GE-23Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Weights of Building Materials – GE-1Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Wide Port Orford Cedar Boise Glulam Load Tables – BG-10Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Wood Frame Garage Floor Design Guidelines – GE-19Tech NoteViewtech-noteus-east us-west
Fire and Design Installation Guide MTP-7050 – CAN – EnglishInstallation Guide, Safety & FireViewinstallation-guide safety-firecanada-east canada-west

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