LSL is also ideal for use in rim conditions due to minimal shrinkage, cupping, and high fastener holding strength when used in highly loaded diaphragms or for shear transfer at plywood shear walls. Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL) is manufactured from veneers laid into long, parallel strands and bonded together.

What is LVL PSL and LSL?

Structural composite lumber (SCL), which includes laminated veneer lumber (LVL), parallel strand lumber (PSL), laminated strand lumber (LSL) and oriented strand lumber (OSL), is a family of engineered wood products created by layering dried and graded wood veneers, strands or flakes with moisture-resistant adhesive ...

Are PSL stronger than LVL?

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

Its shear strength is superior to LSL but doesn't quite match PSL's ability to withstand bending stress. LVL is more expensive than LSL but is affordable compared to PSL and glulam.

What does PSL lumber mean?

Parallel-Strand Lumber (PSL) is one of the types of engineered or manufactured wood that was developed in the late 20th century. PSLs are usually used in wood-framed construction for girders to support smaller beams of laminated veneer lumber (LVL), wood trusses, or wood I-beams. PSL columns are also available.

What is LSL and LVL?

Breadcrumb. Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) are engineered structural materials manufactured by bonding wood veneers or strands together with a structural adhesive to form a solid member of end sections and length limited only by manufacturing, transport and handling capabilities.

LVLs & PSLs: What’s the Difference?

Which is stronger PSL or LSL?

Due to its high allowable shear strength, LSL beams have the capacity for larger penetrations than other engineered wood beam options. While not as strong as LVL or PSL beams, LSL is generally cheaper and is ideal for short spans.

What is a PSL column?

Parallel-strand lumber (PSL) is a form of engineered wood made from parallel wood strands bonded together with adhesive. It is used for beams, headers, columns, and posts, among other uses.

What is a LSL beam?

LSL is used primarily as structural framing for residential, commercial and industrial construction. It is suitable for headers and beams, tall wall studs, rim board, sill plates, millwork and window framing. LSL also offers good fastener-holding strength. It can also be left exposed as a design feature.

Can PSL beams be used outside?

Can Parallam® PSL be used in exterior applications? No. The product is intended for dry-use applications only and is not a preservative treatment.

What is LSL lumber used for?

LSL lumber is most commonly shaped into framing boards for floor joists and support beams. It can also be used for door cores, sill plates, and other applications.

Is LSL stronger than wood?

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) studs can be two times stronger in compression and tension than standard framing lumber of the same dimension.

What are LSL studs?

Laminated Strand Lumber creates straighter walls, making it easier to install cabinetry, millwork and tile. There are no knots, splits or voids and the strength and stiffness properties of laminated strand lumber (LSL) exceed those of traditional lumber.

How far can a PSL beam span?

* The span and load tables in this guide cover beam spans up to 60 feet; however, 2.2E Parallam® PSL beams can be delivered in lengths up to 66 feet.

Who makes LSL lumber?

Engineered for consistent performance, TimberStrand® Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) starts straight and stays straight.

What is the strongest engineered wood beam?

Power Beam® is the strongest engineered wood product (EWP) on the market with design values of 3000Fb - 2.1E - 300Fv. Power Beam® is manufactured with superior strength southern yellow pine MSR Lumber.

What is LSL header?

Length. Sold by lineal foot. TimberStrand® LSL headers reduce installation time and provide a one-piece solution for residential door and window openings. They're stable so they cut down on callbacks to fix sheetrock cracks, and they're available in pre-cut lengths to minimize jobsite waste and extra labor.

Can you drill through a PSL beam?

The maximum size and location of allowable holes is based on product type and depth. Depending on their location in the span, holes up to 2" may be allowed in Microllam® LVL, Parallam® PSL and 1.3E TimberStrand® LSL, and holes up to 4 5/8" may be allowed in 1.55E TimberStrand® LSL.

Are PSL posts pressure treated?

Parallam® PSL products enter an airtight treatment cylinder—a highly controlled, pressurized environment where they are exposed to the Wolman® treatment process.

Is LSL treated?

LP^® SolidGuard^® LSL is a zinc borate treated product that protects against termites and fungal decay. LSL can be installed in direct contact with concrete, in interior applications only, and when used in multi-story buildings, LSL helps mitigate shrinkage and reduces the risk of callbacks.

Is an LSL structural?

Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) is one of the more recent structural composite lumber (SCL) products to come into widespread use. LSL provides attributes such as high strength, high stiffness and dimensional stability.

Can LSL be used for floor joists?

TimberStrand® LSL is an ideal solution, providing an alternative to solid sawn floor joists, especially where longer lengths and greater stability are required.

Can you stain PSL?

The superior strength of Parallam® PSL makes longer clear spans possible, giving you more design options with open, spacious floor plans. Parallam® PSL beams can be stained or finished for a handsome look in exposed applications.

What is a parallam PSL post?

Parallam® PSL columns are strong and consistent. Truss Joist's PSL manufacturing process uses veneer strands, allowing a significant percentage of each log to become a high-grade structural member. Combine their great load capacity with the strength of Parallam PSL beams for additional possibilities. SKU.

What is the difference between a Microlam and LVL?

Microllam is a brand name for Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) Beams manufactured by Weyerhaeuser. LVL beams are one of several different types of engineered lumber products on the market today.