Laminated veneer lumber or LVL is a high-strength modern wood product. Which is most commonly used in any project as wood or any type of wood product. It looks similar to plywood and is made of thin sheets of wood that are glued together on top of each other. LVL beam is a modern wood product and it is most commonly used in the United States and Western Europe. LVL is the preferable choice for construction projects, as it is the most reliable wood product in the market. Therefore, expert estimators consider LVL while providing reliable construction estimating services to contractors. So we will discuss in this article the uses of LVL beams, the installation cost of LVL beams, LVL beam price, LVL beam span, etc.
Laminated veneer lumber or LVL can be used on all types of wood structures. Such as Door headers, windows, trusses, skateboards, rim boards, etc. Laminated veneer lumber is generally available in the United States in various sizes that can fulfill your need.
What is LVL Beam
LVL beam is generally an Engineered wooden product that is made by gluing thin layers of wood together. It is a very strong wood product that does not shrink and bend and it provides sufficient strength to the things in which it is used. It can bear up to 2800 to 3000 psi lateral stress. Generally, the LVL beam is mostly used in the United States and Western countries. LVL beams are made in the factory with the help of controlled materials.
What are LVL beam Sizes?
LVL beam size can vary according to the manufacturer and requirements but the standard thickness of an LVL beam is 1-3/4″, 3-1/2″, 5-1/4″, and 7 inches.
LVL beams are generally available in the market in lengths starting and ending 4 feet to 48. You can get an LVL beam in 60 feet length by placing a special order.
Usually, LVL beam depth ranges from 5-1/4″ to 24 inches. This is the standard depth of laminated veneer lumber. The Span of the LVL beam depends upon its depth. So if you are interested in knowing how to calculate LVL beam span you can read our article in those article we have briefly discussed about LVL span calculator.
Laminate veneer lumber comes in different depths like 29/4 inches, 37/4 inches, 75/4 inches, 95/8 inches, 191/8 inches, and 14, 16, 18, and 20 inches.
LVL beam thickness:
The standard thickness of an LVL beam ranges from 1-3/4 to 7 inches. in which 1 plywood thickness is 7/4″, 2 plywood thickness is 7/2″, 3 plywood thickness is 21/4″, and 4 plywood thickness is 7 inches.
LVL beam depth:
LVL beam comes in various depths like 29/4″ (184mm), 11/2″ (140mm), 37/4″ (235mm), 45/4″ (286mm), 175/4″ (476mm), 19/2″ (241mm), 95/8″(302mm), 191/8″ (606mm), 14″ (356mm), 16″ (406mm), 18″ (457mm), and 20″ (508mm).
The LVL beam length:
Usually, LVL beam comes in different lengths like 24ft, 28ft, 32ft, 36ft, 40ft, and 44ft. If you want an LVL beam in more extra length then you can get it by giving special order. Generally, manufacturers do not make Laminated veneer limber beams greater than 44 feet.
What are the Advantage and disadvantages of LVL beam
Advantages of LVL beam
- The LVL beam has available in proper dimensions. So you can get it into the proper dimensions.
- It has available at a very low cost than other materials.
- It is stronger and more durable than other wood materials.
- LVL beam has high strength, It can bear stress up to 2800 to 3000 psi.
Disadvantages of LVL Beam
- The LVL beam has required Regular maintenance.
- You can not find it in your desired shape and size.
- Usually, the warping defect can be seen in the LVL beam, If it should be not stored inside the warehouse.
LVL beam cost
The LVL beam (Laminated Veneer Lumber) costs around $3 to $12 per linear foot, and the cost of the LVL beam can vary according to depth and thickness.
The installation cost of the LVL beam can be $50 to $200 per foot. The total cost of installing an LVL beam is around $800 to $2500.
12 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, the 12 feet long LVL beam price is 12 × 3 = $36, and 12 × 12 = $144. Therefore, 12 feet the long LVL beam price is approx $36 to $144.
14 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, the 14 feet long LVL beam price is 14 × 3 = $42, and 14 × 12 = $168. Therefore, 14 feet the long LVL beam price is approx $42 to $168.
16 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, the 16 feet long LVL beam price is 16 × 3 = $48, and 16 × 12 = $192. Therefore, 16 feet the long LVL beam price is approx $48 to $192.
18 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, the 18 feet long LVL beam price is 18 × 3 = $54, and 18 × 12 = $216. Therefore, 18 feet long LVL beam price is approx $54 to $216.
20 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, the 20 feet long LVL beam price is 20 × 3 = $60, and 20 × 12 = $240. Therefore, 20 feet long LVL beam price is approx $60 to $240.
22 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, the 22 feet long LVL beam price is 22 × 3 = $66, and 22 × 12 = $240. Therefore, 22 feet long LVL beam price is approx $60 to $240.
24 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, The 24 feet long LVL beam price is 24 × 3 = $72, and 24 × 12 = $288. Therefore, 24 feet long LVL beam price is approx $72 to $288.
25 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, The 25 feet long LVL beam price is 25 × 3 = $75, and 25 × 12 = $300. Therefore, 25 feet long the LVL beam price is approx $75 to $300.
28 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, The 28 feet long LVL beam price is 28 × 3 = $84, and 28 × 12 = $336. Therefore, 28 feet a long LVL beam price is approx $84 to $336.
30 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, The 30 feet long LVL beam price is 30 × 3 = $90, and 30 × 12 = $360. Therefore, 30 feet long lvl beam price is approx $90 to $360.
32 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, The 32 feet long LVL beam price is 32 × 3 = $96, and 32 × 12 = $384. Therefore, 32 feet long lvl beam price is approx $96 to $384.
36 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, The 36 feet long LVL beam price is 36 × 3 = $108, and 36 × 12 = $432. Therefore, 36 feet the long LVL beam price is approx $108 to $432.
40 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, The 40 feet long LVL beam price is 40 × 3 = $120, and 40 × 12 = $480. Therefore, 40 feet the long LVL beam price is approx $120 to $480.
44 feet LVL beam price/ cost:
The average cost of an LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beam is approx $3 to $12 per linear foot. So, The 44 feet long LVL beam price is 44 × 3 = $132, and 44 × 12 = $528. Therefore, 44 feet long lvl beam price is approx $132 to $528.
LVL Span Calculator
How to calculate LVL span: To find out the lvl beam span length, you have to multiply by 20 in lvl depth. After that, you have lvl span in inches. If you want to convert the span length from inch to feet, then you have to divide the length by 12.
The formula for calculating LVL beam span length in feet = (Beam depth × 20) ÷ 12.
We can better understand it by an example:
How far can span 20 inches of LVL beam
beam depth = 20 inch
So, LVL beam span length in feet = (Beam depth × 20) ÷ 12.
= (20 × 20) ÷ 12
= 400 ÷ 12 = 33.33.
So, The 20-inch LVL bean can span up to 33 feet approximately.
How can I find what size LVL beam do I need?
To determine what size LVL beam I need. First, you have to convert the span from feet to inches. After that, you have to divide in span by 20. Then, you will get the desired size that you are finding. To determine LVL beam size there is a formula for it.
What size LVL beam do I need formula = (span × 12)÷ 20.
We will understand it with an example.
Suppose your span is 10 feet and you have to find what size LVL beam you need.
Then, LVL beam size = (span × 12)÷ 20.
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Conclusion:
In this article, we have briefly discussed LVL beam cost, LVL beam sizes, and LVL beam span. After reading this article all doubts will be cleared related to the LVL beam.
FAQ
First, you have to convert the span from feet to inches. After that, you have to divide in span by 20. Then, you will get the desired size that you are finding. To determine LVL beam size there is a formula for it.
What size LVL beam do I need formula = (span × 12)÷ 20.
The LVL beam cost around $3 to $12 per linear foot.
12 ft long LVL beam cost around $3 to $12 per linear foot. So the average price of 12 ft lvl beam is $3 × 12 = 36, and $12 × 12 = $144. So 12 ft long Laminated veneer lumber price is approx $36 to $144.
24 ft long LVL beam cost around $3 to $12 per linear foot. So the average price of 24 ft lvl beam is $3 × 24 = 72, and $12 × 24 = $288. So 24 ft long Laminated veneer lumber price is approx $72 to $288.