Glulams earn good margins

Construction estimates that the market for glulam beams nationwide will increase from 288 million board feet of production this year to 391 million board feet in t997.

Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Co.. Tucson, Az., is typical of the retailers with increasing glulam sales. Wes Helzer says their strength in long spans and wide acceptability by building codes makes them popular. "With large, solid sawn beams getting more sc{uce, architects me specifying glulams because of their versatility as ridge beams, exposed rafters, girder beams, hip beams, floor beams and door, window and garage headers," he notes.

"We show our builder customers that glulams don't twist like regular solid wood beams and have a built-in camber to keep them straight," Helzer adds.

glulams because of their built-in camber," he says. "Architectural grade beams are often specified for exposed applications."

:,,.,,,,,,,,,,,,;,., ;, t6..,,ReC0'mm,gh Gtii,ta S.,, ....'''' ,:,:,:,:,:,:: d::P.redief ablb, eaginfi ing::p.erfioi-,,,,,,,, mance *ittr tuilrin strengh'for longer spans. ,:,, specified for basement beams, roof ridge beams for cathedral ceilings and gfrage door headers. Another popular application uses clear-span glued laminated beams to support second floor or over-the-garage room additions.

,,,,,.:.:':Compgtitivec0sts;,,bu-ildersr.f erport installed,,co-ts::upr tor:r1 0%: lessi than :Conr: v.entional solid sawn timbers or.other en$.,ineered co.mpongp,$' ;with Ei1i$um waste at tbe jot site , , I i.'Rxist.*q{ping and..twjitins ....,,, tldcause,,tbey ar€,,manufactued,,wi$,,t,r,t kiln..Ariamaterialfor.,.stubili$,.,.

Many retailers promote glued laminated beams and other engineered wood components to pro customers with in-store displays, samples, direct mail and newsletters. Product seminars at their yards often double as Contractor Appreciation Days with exhibit booths manned by suppliers. Retailers who cater to pro customers report builders attending engineered wood seminars often become consistent customers. They also find cuslomer edu-

Ron Bailey, also at FoxworthGalbraith, seconds this. "We get next-day delivery on glulams and architects like them for exposed applications because of their attractive appearance. They are often used as support for I-joists and Micro-Lam beams in residential and non-res construction," he says.

Story at a Glance

How retailers earn high margins on glulam products marketing tips.

Dwayne Fulbright, American Lumber Co., Tucson, adds, "Glulam beams are a familiar product for architects, so many of them specifythem again and again for their jobs. We see a lot of glulams used for door and window headers and for exposed ridge beams in cath- cation helps to reduce claims and compliaints.

Most retailers who move volumes of glulams provide estinating, material take-offs, cutting to specified lengths, delivery and on-site construction assistance.

American Institute of Timber edral type ceilings."

"Sarge" Little, Johnson-Manley Lumber, Tucson, points out glulurm beams offer more sfrength than double 2x10s. "Stucco exterior can sometime develop cracks when there is deflection in headers or floor and roof beams. That isn't a problem with

, .i.:.!. . ..iUDIike.,vride::digtebsioni:lumber::::r, ana timUers, which are getting more:: scarce; gulam beanls are plentiflrl and widely aVailable.

.Installed quickly with mininum manpowel and equipment, Unlike :$teel: frg$lg, fre$,,an,be bandled *itbl regular carpenter crCws rather 3fo2n ,' r-rqre aoitly, fab' - non,and,,welding,.,,.,, lBDOr.: j : ':

. Arrive at the job site pie-Cut and ready, to .in-tallr:thd *eigb les$,,than, a :,:,: : built-up steel and lumber flirch:plate #am.

Can be finished foian anractive, custom touch wbich nti Oe uena tovrards open::,ihteriors;,expgsed,iidge ; beams and cithedral style ceilings.

. In the envimnmenLallylgnsqious marketplace, stucnrral laminated i beams are manufactured from a renewable resource and require significantly less enelgy to:Itrodude,:thanrtste€Irtlcon. t, ,crete; al ihun ana'ntastic,. .,.. l..

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