To determine the appropriate size of LVL (Laminated veneer lumber) beam require to span specific distances depends on structural analysis, considering factors like load requirements, building codes, regulation, locality and support conditions. Ordinarily, LVL beams can span significant distances, often ranging from 16 feet to 30 feet without additional support.
In general, a 1-3/4″×5-1/4″ size of LVL can allow to span from 10 to 12 feet, while a 1-3/4″×7-1/4″ size of LVL can allow to span from 13 to 14 feet. Likewise, a 3-1/2″×9-1/2″ size of LVL can allow to span from 15 to 18 feet, while a 3-1/2″×11-7/8″ size of LVL can allow to span from 19 to 22 feet. In addition, a 3-1/2″×14″ size of LVL can allow to span from 22 to 26 feet, while a 3-1/2″×16″ size of LVL can allow to span from 27 to 30 feet.
The LVL (Laminated veneer lumber) is much look like plywood, generally made of thin sheets of wood which are sandwiched and bound with super stronger glue to form multiple layers.
LVL is a high-strength structural engineered wood product of recent innovation and one of the most widely used kinds of lumber in construction projects in. It is typically used for boards of all kinds, for headers, beam rim boards, skateboards, as well as beams, trusses, edge forming materials and more. It is available in a wide range of lengths, widths and thicknesses.
The standard thickness of LVL beams are ranging from 1 3/4 inches to 7 inches. It comes in 1-ply of 1-3/4-inch thick, 2-ply of 3-1/2-inch thick, 3-ply of 5-1/4-inch thick and 4-ply of 7″ thick. LVL length are come in 24′, 28′, 32′, 36′, 40′ and 44′ feet or 4 feet of increament with special up to 60 feet. The depth of the LVL (Laminated veneer lumber) is range from 5-1/2 to 23-7/8 inches. However, common LVL depth are: 5-1/2″ 7-1/4″, 9-1/4″, 9-1/2″, 11-1/4, 11-7/8″, 14″, 16″, 18″, 18-3/4″, 20″ and 23-7/8-inch.
Here’s general guideline and LVL span rules of thumb for sizing LVL beams:-
- Consider Width: A LVL beam width need to be 1/4 to 1/3 depth of the beam. Design a LVL beam width based on fact that 1-ply of 1-3/4 inches thick and the width can be increased by laminating in multiples of 1-3/4 inches.
- Consider Depth: A LVL beam depth need to be 1/20th of span of beam in inches or 0.60 inches depth per foot of span. Beam depths are typically 5 1/2 inches, 7 1/4 inches, 9 1/4 inches, 11 1/4 inches, 11 7/8 inches, 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches.
For example, If span of the LVL beam is 20 feet in length, then depth of the LVL beam = (20 × 12) ÷ 20 = 12-inches and width need to be 12/3 = approx 4″. So, you’d need something like 3-1/2″ × 11-7/8″ size of LVL beam for a 20 foot span.
What size LVL to span 30′, 24′, 22′, 20′, 18′ and 16 feet
In general, the size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 30 feet should be 3-1/2″ ×18″, while the size of the LVL needed to span 24 feet should be 3-1/2″ ×14″. Likewise, the size of the LVL needed to span 20 feet should be 3-1/2″ ×11-7/8″, while the size of the LVL needed to span 18 feet should be 3-1/2″ ×11-1/4″. In addition, the size of the LVL needed to span 16 feet should be 3-1/2″ ×9-1/2″.
What size LVL to span 30 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 30 feet should be 16-18 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×18″ or 5-1/4″×16″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 30 foot span used for residential application.
What size LVL to span 28 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 28 feet should be 14-16 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×16″ or 5-1/4″×14″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 28 foot span.
What size LVL to span 26 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 26 feet should be 14-16 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×16″ or 5-1/4″×14″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 16 foot span.
What size LVL to span 25 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 25 feet should be 12-14 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×14″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 25 foot span.
What size LVL to span 24 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 24 feet should be 12-14 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×14″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 24 foot span.
What size LVL to span 22 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 22 feet should be 12-14 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×11-7/8″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 22 foot span.
What size LVL to span 20 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 20 feet should be 10-12 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×11-7/8″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 20 foot span.
What size LVL to span 18 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 18 feet should be 10-12 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×11-1/4″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 18 foot span.
What size LVL to span 16 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 16 feet should be 8-10 inches deep and 3-1/2 inches wide. So, you would need something like 3-1/2″×9-1/2″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 16 foot span.
What size LVL to span 15 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 15 feet should be 8-10 inches deep and 1-3/4 inches wide. So, you would need something like 1-3/4″×9-1/4″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 15 foot span.
What size LVL to span 14 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 14 feet should be 6-8 inches deep and 1-3/4 inches wide. So, you would need something like 1-3/4″×7-1/4″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 14 foot span.
What size LVL to span 12 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 12 feet should be 6-8 inches deep and 1-3/4 inches wide. So, you would need something like 1-3/4″×5-1/4″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 12 foot span.
What size LVL to span 10 feet
The size of the LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) needed to span 10 feet should be 6-8 inches deep and 1-3/4 inches wide. So, you would need something like 1-3/4″×5-1/4″ size of LVL or engineered wood beam for a 10 foot span.
Conclusions:-
In general, the size of the LVL beam for a residential building should be 16-18″ deep for a 30 foot span, 14-16″ deep for a 26 to 28 foot span, 12-14″ deep for a 22 to 25 foot span, 10-12″ deep for a 18 to 21 foot span, 8-10″ deep for a 14 to 17 foot span, and 6-8″ deep for a 10 to 13 foot span.