Glulams earn good margins

stiffness of glued laminated beams can carry the load of these add-ons. Stripling Blake frequently provides builders with 26 ft. glued Iaminated beams which are capable of support: ing this type of addition without posts or columns in the garage.

"Glulams are a familiar product to our pro customers and they continue to gain market share with builders as well as remodeling contractors," Strickland says.

The company also sells a gmd volume of glulams through its truss plant. "Most of the laminated products are used for headers, ridge beams, floor and roof beams," he notes.

REIAILERS find pro ortomen like glulams. specified for basement beams, roof ridge beams for cathedral ceilings and garage dmr headen. Another popular application uses clear-span glued laminated beams to support second floor or over-the-garage room additions.

Many retailers promote glued laminated beams and other engineered wood components with product seminars at their yards. These events can double as Contractor Appreciation Days with exhibit booths manned by supplien. Retailers who cater to pro customers report builders attending engineered wood seminars often become consistent customers. They also find customer education helps to reduce claims and complaints.

Austin, Tx., is a "hot" market for glu- he says. "Builders like their versatility for a wide range of ap'plicati@s."

David Scurlock, Calcasieu Lumber, Austin, says his customers find laminated beams especially well suited to extra long roof and floor systems that can't be spanned with conventional trusses.

"We find architects specify a lot of glued laminated beams. They're a good product for us because of their versatility in a wide range of applications," he adds.

Scurlock notes contractor customers are using glued laninated beams for open space design homes which require long-span rmf supputs without int€rmediate colrrmns. Whib conventional trusses are impractical for many complex rmf shapaf $ued laminated beams can be specffied to extend the roof load to the outside walls, he adds.

Calcasieu prc cusSome$ also consider the built-in cember of glued laminated headers and floor beams m

Story at a Glance

Calcasieu Lumber believes a lot of contractors like glued laminated beams because they are delivered to the construction project ready to install. They consider them cost effrcient because they eliminate the need for fastening flitch plate headers or laminated veneer lumber beams together at the job sire.

How retailers earn high margins on glulam products ... marketing taps.

lam beams. Don Stickland, Stripling Blake Lumber, Austin, reports many of the glued laninated beams sold by his company are for "bonus" rooms over two-car garages. These rooms can be used as dens, home offices, storage areas or bedrooms. Strickland explains the inherent strength and

Contractor customers choose glulans for many applications because they are produced in exact widths for specific end uses, Scurlock points out. For example, a 3-ll8" laninated bearr marches up with the width of a 2x4 while a 5-lE" glulam matches a 2x6.

"We inventory several types of stock glued laminated beams in different sizes and lengths, up to 26 ft.," advantage because the beams level out when they crry floa lods, thus avoiding the problems of sagging or deflection which sometimes occur with l-joists and laminated veneer lumber.

Engineered wood creates an opportunity for special retailer services, since many builders need estimating and engineering assistance for these wood products. To help contractor customers and enourage use of glulams, Calcasieu offers engineering and estimating assistance.

For more inlormation contact thc American Institutc of Timber Constttrction, 7012 S. Revere Partway, Suite l4), Englewood, Co. 80112, (303) 792-9559, FAX 202-792-0669 - Editor.