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The benefits of using engineered timber in construction

28 November 2024

The Importance of Engineered Timber Benefits in QLD

Australian homeowners and builders value the quality and sustainability of their projects. This understanding informs the growing trend toward sustainable construction that has paved the way largely for durable engineered wood products. Australian engineered timber products have revolutionised the construction industry due to their unparalleled durability and versatility. Local, family owned Sunstate Timbers takes great pride in offering world-class timber solutions to Brisbane residents since 1948, assisting across design, fabrication, installation and care.

Understanding the Types of Engineered Timber Products

Engineered Wood, a derivative wood product, is made using wood waste, smaller trees and more affordable wood, resulting in them being more eco-friendly building materials. Wood strands, particles, fibres or veneers are bound together with strong adhesive to form a composite. There are several types of engineered wood products, each with its own characteristics and applications:

Glue-Laminated (GluLam) Timber: Made by fixing together several layers of dimensioned lumber, it is an extremely sturdy and durable engineered wood. GluLam is often used to create large structural members like long-span beams and decorative structures, namely arches.
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) Beams: It is widely used for structural applications like beams, headers, rafters and lintels owing to its capacity to withstand enormous loads. LVLs are created by bonding thin wood veneers together with longitudinal running grains.
I Joists (I Beams): They consist of top and bottom flanges, which resist bending, united with webs, which provide outstanding shear resistance. Their high strength-to-weight ratio and ability to span huge regions with fewer supports make them the ideal engineered wood for building residential roof and floor framing.
Plywood: Consist of thin wood veneers stuck together adjacent layers structured perpendicularly to each other. This cross-graining provides strength and stability, making it the perfect timber for building furniture.
Oriented Strand Board (OSB): Wood strands are laid out in layers and bonded with resin. Due to its strength and stiffness, OSB is widely used in residential and commercial construction for sheathing, subflooring and even as primary structural elements.

These advanced timber products come in various forms and offer a plethora of benefits, often surpassing solid hardwood in many modern use cases. Whatever your needs are, contact Sunstate Timbers for our premium quality and expertise in engineered timber.

Engineered For Exceptional Versatility

Engineered timber can easily be tailored to specific structural and aesthetic needs since they are manufactured with uniform density and are free from natural wood defects like knots or warping. They are less susceptible to rot and weather deformation due to the stability and protection the adhesive provides; a vital engineered timber benefit.

Unparalleled Strength and Durability

Due to the composite structure and heavy duty glue, engineered timber is quite strong, with a larger capacity to bear load. This makes them suitable for both structural and non-structural applications, including beams, headers and significant load-bearing areas, namely floors and walls.

Discover Sustainable Engineered Wood for Building

An eco-friendly building material, engineered timber is created from responsibly sourced wood, followed by ethical and low impact production procedures. When you opt for engineered wood, you are choosing ease of maintenance and long-term affordability that comes with it, opposed to other building materials. Sunstate Timbers is here to help you accomplish both practical and environmental aims. Contact us today.