Glued Laminated Timber

PRODUCTION

The production of glued timber is a very complex and high-technology process, we will try to explain it briefly.

The basic material used in production is spruce and pine timber. The timber is subjected to thermal treatment in designated drying ovens. When desired humidity (12 ± 2%) is achieved, the material is sorted according to prevailing standards. The next step is mechanical processing. The end-grained timber is milled to so-called finger jointing. Glue is applied and the boards are connected to long slats of desired length. When the glue in the joints is dried up, the slats are cut to required thickness (usually 40 mm), glue is applied and the slats are squeezed in the press to desired shape. The process takes place in the temperature about 30-40 °C with appropriate air humidity. Atfer the glue dries up the product is treated by cutting, carving and preservation.

GLUES AND PRESERVATIVES

The glue that is most often used is melamine glue, which is resistant to fire and humidity. The colour of the glue is beige. The alternative is resorcinol glue, which is brown and resistant to increased humidity. Neither glue emits any toxic substances, even in fire.

The glued timber structures are usually surface treated with salt preservatives, which improve the resistance for biological corrosion and, in some cases, fire.

DURABILITY

Wood, unlike steel and reinforced concrete, is a natural material, which makes it resistant to aggresive environments. Thanks to that it is especially applicable to swimming pool roofs, salt and feltilizer warehouses etc. All steel joints are made of zinc-plated, stainless, or acid-resistant steel.

As mentioned before, humidity-proof glues are use for glued timber production. Glued laminated timber can be used in most types of facilities (e.g. sports halls, swimming pools) without any preservations. However with the preservatives we offer it gains very high additional resistance for biological corrosion.

PLASTICITY

Because glued timber is made of thin, flexible slats, it can easily be arc-shaped, which is not so easy and inexpensive with other materials. In addition, during designing apparently straight components, they can be given initial deflection which allows more slender, delicate and cheaper constructions.

FIREPROOF

Glued laminated timber with chamfered edges and polished surfaces is a fire-proof material. Carbinized external layer is a protection for internal (supporting) elements, which guarantees long-lasting flame resistance. This makes glued timber constructions very stable under fire so they meet the standards easily.

INSULATION

Thanks to very low thermal conductivity, the timber embedded into the structure does not cause the formation of thermal bridges, if fact it isolates. It perfectly suits either in low and high temperatures.

AESTHETICS

Glued timber gives exactly the same impression as solid wood, it is as friendly, warm and gives psychical comfort. Timber is the most natural building material. Glued timber usually is used as a structural material, but simultaneously it makes unique climate and atmosphere, which contributes to pleasant stay and positively affects working atmosphere. In addition, as mentioned above, it allows to form even most sophisticated and original components to strongly improves the prestige of the building.

ECONOMY

Low weight and endurance features of timber allows us to design long-span buildings without intermediate supports, which greatly improves the usefulness of the object, like storage and production halls. Moreover, the construction is easier and faster. The lightness of the structure indirectly gives measurable savings on other elements of the investition. Having low strains on columns, walls, and foundation on account, those elements can be designed smaller than in traditional steel or reinforced concrete structures. Often it allows to build on unfavourable ground conditions.

Glued timber is very aesthetic material. This is another profit and possibility of significant savings -- the structure doesn’t need to be built up, unlike in other constructions.

The savings arise also during the operation of glued laminated timber buildings. They do not need routine maintenances or renovations. Properly designed and completed construction is a long-lasting component of the building. For comparison, steel constructions require routine maintenance every few years (regeneration of anticorrosion and fireproof layers for example) which generates additional costs, often disabling the building from operation.