RedLam LVL

LVL Beams: Laminated Veneer Lumber for Structural Framing

RedLam LVL beams deliver the strength and span capability of steel with the workability and cost efficiency of wood.

Laminated veneer lumber is made by bonding thin wood veneers under heat and pressure into a solid, dimensionally stable beam — one that resists the warping, splitting, and shrinking that limit traditional sawn lumber.

RedBuilt manufactures RedLam LVL in multiple product lines — beams, headers, columns, and I-joist flange stock — each engineered for commercial and multi-story construction. Every order is built to spec in our U.S. manufacturing facility.

What Is an LVL Beam?

An LVL beam (laminated veneer lumber beam) is an engineered wood product made by layering thin sheets of rotary-peeled wood veneer with structural adhesive, then curing them under heat and pressure.

Every veneer's grain runs the same direction — parallel to the beam's length — producing consistent, predictable strength that exceeds solid sawn lumber of equivalent size.

The lamination process spreads natural defects like knots across multiple thin layers instead of concentrating them in one cross-section. Controlled moisture content during manufacturing also prevents the warping, crowning, and splitting that affect conventional lumber after installation.

LVL is one of the core engineered wood products (EWP) used in modern commercial construction, alongside I-joists, glulam beams, and open-web trusses. It's used as structural beams, headers, load-bearing columns, rim board, and flange material for engineered I-joists.

The RedBuilt Difference

With decades of engineered wood expertise, RedBuilt manufactures RedLam™ LVL beams, headers, and columns that outperform conventional lumber, delivering the strength, consistency, and stability that commercial projects demand.

See full specs, load tables, and sizing in the RedLam™ LVL Specifier's Guide. Download it to spec your next project.

Why Specify RedBuilt

rEDLAM™ LVL

Four reasons specifiers choose RedLam™ LVL over other engineered wood and steel options.

Precision-manufactured quality

Every RedLam™ LVL is produced to exacting engineering specifications at our Stayton, Oregon facility, where veneers are ultrasonically graded for strength and stiffness to deliver consistent structural performance.

System integration

RedLam™ LVL coordinates with Red-I™ Joists, open-web trusses, and wall panels for a complete engineered wood structural package from a single manufacturer.

In-market technical reps

Your local representative is available to provide assistance with beam selection, span calculations, multi-ply configurations, and support from specification through installation.

Sustainable manufacturing

Non-toxic, low-VOC adhesives and an efficient veneer process that maximizes structural value from every log.

Benefits

LVL Beams Vs. Solid Lumber

RedLam™ LVL is engineered for consistent, predictable performance, delivering longer spans and greater dimensional stability than solid sawn lumber, without the variability of natural wood.

Strength

Engineered for consistent, predictable strength — exceeds equivalent lumber sizes.

Dimensional Stability

Controlled moisture content resists warping, splitting, shrinking, crowning.

Span Capability

Longer spans than lumber at equal depths; multi-ply for heavy loads.

Weight / Handling

Lightweight — installs with standard wood framing crews and tools.

Jobsite Workability

Cuts, drills, and fastens with standard wood tools.

Waste

Minimal precision manufactured to spec, no culling.

Cost

Lower installed costs; competitive with lumber once waste/callbacks are factored in.

Solid Sawn Lumber

Strength

Variable; depends on species, grade, and natural defects.

Dimensional Stability

Shrinks, warps, crowns as moisture changes; requires on-site sorting.

Span Capability

Limited by grade, species, and natural defects.

Weight / Handling

Moderate; heavier in large dimensions but still hand-installable.

Jobsite Workability

Cuts and fastens with standard tools, but inconsistent dimensions.

Waste

High — defects, warping, and inconsistencies generate waste.

Cost

Lowest material cost per board foot, but hidden waste and rework costs.

Strength

Engineered for consistent, predictable strength — exceeds equivalent lumber sizes.

Dimensional Stability

Controlled moisture content resists warping, splitting, shrinking, crowning.

Span Capability

Longer spans than lumber at equal depths; multi-ply for heavy loads.

Weight / Handling

Lightweight — installs with standard wood framing crews and tools.

Jobsite Workability

Cuts, drills, and fastens with standard wood tools.

Waste

Minimal precision manufactured to spec, no culling.

Cost

Lower installed costs; competitive with lumber once waste/callbacks are factored in.

Strength

Variable; depends on species, grade, and natural defects.

Dimensional Stability

Shrinks, warps, crowns as moisture changes; requires on-site sorting.

Span Capability

Limited by grade, species, and natural defects.

Weight / Handling

Moderate; heavier in large dimensions but still hand-installable.

Jobsite Workability

Cuts and fastens with standard tools, but inconsistent dimensions.

Waste

High — defects, warping, and inconsistencies generate waste.

Cost

Lowest material cost per board foot, but hidden waste and rework costs.

Characteristics

RedLam LVL is manufactured in a range of standard thicknesses, depths, and lengths to match virtually any structural requirement. Multiple plies can be fastened together on site to build up wider beams for heavier load conditions.

Sizes & Dimensions

Dimension

Widths

Depths

Lengths

Grade

Custom Sizes

Available Sizes

1½", 1¾", 2½", 3½", 5¼", and 7"

3½" – 24"

Custom lengths available

2.0E product grade

Available — contact your RedBuilt representative

For project-specific sizing, including multi-ply configurations and non-standard dimensions, contact your RedBuilt technical representative.

Dimension

Widths

Depths

Lengths

Grade

Custom Sizes

Available Sizes

1½", 1¾", and 2½"

5½" – 11¼"

Available in long lengths; custom lengths available

2.0E product grade

Available — contact your RedBuilt representative

LVL beams provide longer clear spans than solid sawn lumber at equivalent depths, making them the preferred choice for open floor plans, large window and door headers, and long-span roof structures where intermediate supports are undesirable.

Environmental Performance

RedLam LVL is manufactured with non-toxic, low-VOC adhesives, and an efficient veneer peeling process that maximizes structural value from every log — reducing fiber waste compared to solid-sawn lumber production.

RedLam LVL is supported by a third-party-verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) from SCS Global Services, helping specifiers meet LEED® documentation and green building requirements.

How LVL Beams are made

RedBuilt's RedLam LVL manufacturing process follows a precise five-step sequence, producing a material with higher strength and stiffness per unit of wood fiber than solid lumber — and significantly less jobsite waste from defects, warping, or inconsistent dimensions.

Veneer peeling

Logs are rotary-peeled into thin sheets of wood veneer, maximizing fiber yield from each log.

Drying & grading

Veneers are dried to controlled moisture content, then graded for strength.

Layup & bonding

Graded veneers are coated with low-VOC adhesive and layered with grain running parallel to the beam length.

Pressing & curing

The layered assembly is subjected to heat and pressure to achieve a permanent structural bond.

Precision cutting

Cured billets are cut to specified dimensions, producing beams, headers, and columns ready for your project.

Commercial Applications

RedLam™ LVL beams are specified across a wide range of commercial construction applications where consistent strength, long spans, and dimensional stability are required.

Floor beams

Primary structural members supporting floor systems in multi-story commercial buildings.

Roof beams

Long-span roof framing for warehouses, retail, and institutional buildings.

Headers

Load-bearing members over large commercial window walls, storefronts, and overhead doors.

Columns

Vertical compression members in post-and-beam construction and bearing wall systems.

Rim board & edge closure

Perimeter framing for engineered floor systems.

Scaffold plank & concrete forming

RedBuilt also manufactures LVL for RedForm concrete forming.

Installation & Handling

LVL beams install using standard wood framing tools and fasteners, making them a practical alternative to steel beams that require welding, crane lifts, and specialized connections.

Storage

Store beams flat, off the ground, and protected from direct weather exposure until installation.

Cutting

Field-cut with standard circular saws.

Fastening multi-ply beams

Follow the specified nailing or bolting pattern to achieve composite action.

Bearing

Ensure adequate bearing length at supports per the engineering design; use bearing plates or post caps where specified.

Lateral bracing

Brace the compression flange of deep beams against lateral buckling per the structural drawings.

Nationwide Manufacturing + Support

RedBuilt supports projects across North America through.

From early feasibility through construction coordination, RedBuilt helps teams execute mass timber projects at scale.

Ready to Spec RedBuilt LVL?

Our technical sales team are in your market, ready to assist with beam design, BIM
coordination, budget pricing, and support from design to installation.

Products

Open-Web Trusses

Red-I™ Joist

Prefabricated Wall Panels

Glulam Beam

Laminated Veneer Lumber

Plated Trusses

Cross Laminated Timber

Mass Plywood Panel

Connections and Fasteners

Open-Web Trusses

Red-I™ Joist

Prefabricated Wall Panels

Glulam Beam

Laminated Veneer Lumber

Plated Trusses

Cross Laminated Timber

Mass Plywood Panel

Connections and Fasteners

Open-Web Trusses

Red-I™ Joist

Prefabricated Wall Panels

Glulam Beam

Laminated Veneer Lumber

Plated Trusses

Cross Laminated Timber

Mass Plywood Panel

Connections and Fasteners

Open-Web Trusses

Red-I™ Joist

Prefabricated Wall Panels

Glulam Beam

Laminated Veneer Lumber

Plated Trusses

Cross Laminated Timber

Mass Plywood Panel

Connections and Fasteners

Open-Web Trusses

Red-I™ Joist

Prefabricated Wall Panels

Glulam Beam

Laminated Veneer Lumber

Plated Trusses

Cross Laminated Timber

Mass Plywood Panel

Connections and Fasteners