Why we use LVL for beams and headers

LVL- Laminated Veneer Lumber is an engineered wood product made up of multiple layers of wood glued together.
Because it’s manmade it’s stronger and more consistent than conventional lumber.
It’s used for such things as headers and beams.
A bunch of people commented on my header video asking about this exact shot- thinking it two separate beams, but you can see this is just a splice in the outer veneer.
Here you can see a splice on the opposite side.
Since you can special order these beams up to 60’ the veneers have splices, but they are always staggered.
To show just how strong this LVL is – I set up a ramp to see if it could support half the weight of my skid steer.
Keep in mind it’s much stronger when it’s vertical than when lying flat like this.
After the first run I reconfigured the ramp so the weight of the skid steer would be more forward.
The skid steer weighs around 9000 lbs, so the 2 plies of LVL are holding roughly 4500 lbs.
I considered trying it with one ply but wasn’t sure how that would work out. @hausplans

#build #building #framing #lvl #lumber #howto #construction #beams #headers #diy #contractor

[HunterKiller_]

You have a great way of explaining and teaching things. Keep up the great content!

[wreckandraceify]

Side note, dropping a 32' lvl flat on the concrete may be one of the loudest noises I've ever heard.

[jimpie]

Good video! In my current home built in 2003 they used 4 such beams, two were in the garage as header beams and they were 3 1/2 x12” and two were holding up the staircase going to the basement, these were subs for 2x10’s and were 16’ long and 10” wide, they spanned from an I beam to the foundation wall. I did have a laminated beam in my garage (previous home) that was 20’ long across the whole front of the garage above the 16’ garage door. All of these are still working fine with no problems. Thanks.

[somethingelse]

My coworker who is a volunteer firefighter said these burn incredibly quickly and fail due to the glue burning/melting in case of a house fire. Not a deal breaker I guess, but something to keep in mind.

[UltraMagaFan]

Plywood by itself is pretty strong. Stacking it together makes it stronger. This type of lumber is pretty smart.

[spurs]

Love it we installed like 8 so far on this new house I bought broke down walls and made it open space but then come to find out on one side of the beams are broke so we had to take off all the ceiling, gotta replace 8 more. Loving learning news things glad to have a father who knows how to do all of this or else without him I wouldn’t be able to do anything

[Glipsnarp]

I questioned that engineered lumber today when I was looking at a massive house being built down the street from me. I guess I was wrong.
I just thought they can't acquire solid beams of the size anymore because it is too expensive.

You should see the beams of my next-door neighbors house. Built in 1870. Beams are thick as hell. They just dont have trees thick enough anymore. House is solid as a rock. Boulder foundation as well

[frankdevo]

I’m a crane operator and I set a decent amount of roof trusses and I’m always grabbing 2-3’ long pieces of scrap lvl when I can find them.

I use them to help level my cribbing on uneven surfaces and increase the surface area of my pads.

[RipCityChief]

Immediately gotta like with the Napoleon Dynamite scene 😂

[Tony_]

Love that little info on the splice in the veneer. Thanks for sharing that.

[khdur]

Your active load source material is spot on. Pedro and Napoleon know things.😏
#voteforPedro

[noeeon]

I work construction and love watching the framers. I wish I could attain that skill but can't find the time.

[freakyframer]

I built my dad ramps for his truck with scraps from work, they're a bit heavy but boy do they ever hold well lol

[Liberty]

You sir, got a thumbs-up from me just for the solid Dynamite reference

[wesman]

I love LVL's they are very strong and great to work with!

[Friday-cp]

Whoa, I use LVL but never knew it could hold weight like that!

[josephquinn]

I could only imagine the flack you received on the header Bro

[JG-ktym]

Video just educated me. Thank you sir!

[coopertown]

Educational, creative, and funny! Nice production skills😅

[dubsbarry]

Strong wood product for sure but should be noted, tracks on machines spread the footprint out drastically, and only half the weight was on it. You didn't claim the full 9K was on it but just clarifying. Personally i think the single plank would've held it

Side note - i had overlay tracks on my old Caterpillar wheeled skidsteer. they wore out and finally broke while on a job. I removed the other track so it was wheels only. Pulling on the trailer i broke through a cracked deck board and a good portion of wood fell beneath the trailer. This taught me the difference.