08 Aug What Are The Differences Between Steel And Glulam Beams

Whilst no material comes close to steel’s versatility, other building materials can be an option for certain use cases. 

This blog will go in-depth into one of them; glulam. We’ll look at what it is and how it differs from steel, including durability, cost and maintenance.

What is Glulam?

Glulam is an abbreviation for glued laminated timber. Glulam is made by bonding together layers of smaller sheets of timber using a durable adhesive. It is often more presentable than steel beams and is left bare as the decorative design of the exterior of the building.

Glulam is available curved or straight, producing an attractive canopy that allows you to create stunning structures with unique designs.

There is potential in any steel or concrete structure to create an alternative using Glulam as the primary structural material.

The Differences

While steel and glulam are both great options, some key differences set them apart.

Despite glulam being a more eco-friendly option initially, it will require replacing much sooner than a steel beam. It is less recyclable than steel, which can simply be melted down and re-smelted into a new steel beam or any other steel product. Glulam is also unsuitable for larger projects. Since glulam has only been around since the mid-century, steel is a much more reliable material for beams, capable of handling immense structural loads.

You may often hear that glulam is actually stronger than steel in relation to its weight. However, whilst true, this statistic may be misleading. You would need a significantly larger glulam beam to compensate for the immense tensile strength that a steel beam can provide, potentially ballooning the cost to well above that of a traditional steel beam.

The Difference in Cost

In most circumstances, glulam has a cheaper upfront cost than steel. There is a saving in the ease of fixing joist hangers etc. However, glulam beams require increased support as they have significantly less tensile strength than steel beams; This leads to more money being spent on providing adequate support throughout the building, which makes glulam unsuitable for large-scale projects.

Although you may enjoy cheaper upfront costs with glulam beams, they will need to be replaced much sooner than a reliable, tried and tested steel beam. Since steel can span longer distances without support, you will often sacrifice less usable space by using steel beams instead of glulam.

The Difference in Durability

Whilst glulam can provide a strong and durable beam, its durability can’t compete with steel. Steel beams are robust and proven, able to withstand substantial structural loads whilst being almost impervious to damage from the elements.

Steel is also immune to wood-boring insects, water damage and rot, and deformations or delamination. It is also 100% recyclable and can be reused several times if necessary. 

Glulam, on the other hand, is manufactured to have an increased fire resistance over steel without using materials such as intumescent paint as you would on steel. Steel beams would potentially distort, and the surface would begin to char much faster than glulam beams if there were to be a fire. However, a simple layer of intumescent paint would make steel beams outperform glulam in a fire.

The Difference in Maintenance

Maintenance and its costs should always be a key factor to consider when investing in new beams. The maintenance costs are significantly increased with Glulam and inconveniences building owners as they have to arrange for more frequent thorough inspections.

Glulam beams require significantly more ongoing maintenance than steel beams. If outdoors, they will need regular refinishing treatment to maintain their weatherproofing. Steel beams, on the other hand, are resistant to both corrosion and rust due to their chemical composition.

Choosing Steel Beams For Your Project

Considering the similarities and differences between steel and glulam beams, it is crucial to establish the purpose of your project. Steel beams will be your better option if you want to erect a sizeable weight-bearing building. Steel is also a stronger, more robust and durable material than any of its competitors. If you want your building to stand strong for an extended period of time, the choice is obvious.

For help with steel for your project, speak to the experts at Baker Steel Trading. We’re happy to provide you with an accurate quote and support throughout the purchasing and manufacturing process.