LVL is an engineered wood material more and more popular in Vietnam. Deciding on whether to use solid timber or LVL can be a difficult choice to make. While both are reliable solutions, understanding their differences we hope that you'll be able to confidently make an informed decision as to which option suits you.
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is made from multiple thin layers of wood assembled with adhesives. It is laminated together by specialized glue under heat and pressure. Especially LVL is made up the veneers that are oriented in the same direction, so it is durable and has good load-bearing capacity.
>> 3 grades of LVL from Vietnam - How to choose the right one <<
- Core: Hardwood (Eucalyptus, Acacia, Mixed) - Glue: MR E2/ WBP Melamine/ Phenolic
- LVL for making pallets - LVL for making furniture - LVL for making construction framework
Solid timber is simply cut directly from the perennial tree to specific dimensions.
Solid timber is still very popular among builders – primarily because of their familiarity with the product. One of the great things about solid timber is that it is generally lower in price than iron and steel for construction, but it often has quality issues, which can result in builders having to perform costly corrections.
Solid timber is best used for wooden frames, floorboards, wall paneling, furniture, and cabinets, ...
Regarding sizes, Solid timber is cut directly from the tree in length, and there are not many natural trees that are tall enough to have the length as long as you want, so it is limited to size, but LVL is the engineered wood made from layers of wood and laminated by special glue that has multiples choices of size.
Solid timber is mainly made from perennial wood, so it takes a long time for most trees to grow. Meanwhile, LVL is made from fast-growing, easy-to-grow, and high-volume woods in Vietnam such as eucalyptus, acacia, etc.
About avoiding wasting materials, LVL plywood production is the least material-consuming industrial activity, usually, only some are rejected due to the detection of defects, in contrast, if the timber is cut to remove any knots or imperfections in the wood, they may be no longer usable.
One of the major differences between LVL and solid timber is that – due to the emphasis placed on quality bonding in LVL – there are no naturally occurring knots. This not only makes the product stronger, but more durable than solid timber.
As an industrial wood product, LVL is strictly controlled in terms of parameters so LVL is straighter, and more uniform than solid timber which is swelling, shrinking, and warping due to its natural state and humidity conditions.
Finally, price is also one of the most important elements. LVL is more cost-effective than solid timber.
// WHAT IS LVL? HOW IS IT MADE? AND THE APPLICATION OF LVL
Laminated Veneer Lumber is great for a range of uses both inside and outside the home. This includes everything from making pallets, furniture, and construction frameworks like headers, beams, scaffolds, roof trusses, window, and door frames,...
Overall, compared with Solid Timber, LVL can be flexible and pliable, which makes it highly versatile for complex architectural projects.
In Vietnam, we offer a wide range of LVL options for your outdoor or indoor projects. In conclusion, with the various advantages of LVL, it is a great substitute for solid timber in the future.
Which among these two should you use? The decision is yours, if you have any concerns when choosing, don't hesitate to contact us to get advice. FOMEX GROUP