A friend of mine used a laminate wood beam to replace a load bearing wall in his home when he did a remodel. It spans about 12 feet maybe 14 tops. I'd like to learn more about laminate beams, but can't seem to locate any info on them. Anyone know anything about them?
And on a related note, why does it seem so hard to find general informationon construction supplies and techniques on the web? It's like hardly anyone want's to share their knowledge on products and ideas.
Your friend was likely installing a laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beam. These are made by all the different lumber companies out of locally milled timber (the species will vary by manufacturer). This is one type of engineered lumber (glu-lams and I-joists are two other common engineered products).
(http://www.dontim-eng.co.uk/images/kerto_s.jpg)
Here is a good overview of how to use these in building. http://www.umass.edu/bmatwt/publications/articles/sizing_engineered_beams_headers.html
Here is the sizes and names for products available from Georgia Pacific - http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pname=Wood+I+Beam%e2%84%a2+Joists&pid=1390&hierarchy=pc
TJM, knowledge is money. If a plumber showed you that it took 30 seconds to make a connection with the proper tool on Aquapex if you know how to do that properly, you may do it yourself and he's out of a job-- If you get past their requirement that you be a contractor and be trained.
The same goes for other subjects. We have a unique group here, willing to share what they know and help others to help themselves. After all -where would we be if others hadn't helped us in the past?
That's part of why this forum is valuable. :)
I guess they might think they'll lose work, but it's like all I want is to understand what's going on, how things work (or don't work) together and it's big F'n secret that almost nobody want's to share. It irritates me.
But I digress, thank's for the info I'll check it all out. 8-)
Oh yeah forgot to mention.... I am glad I found this board I've learned quite a bit just from poking around and lookign at what others have done or are doing.
I visit here daily to see if anything new is posted.
That's what we want - a place to get answers and even create new questions.
When the internet first started getting popular ten years ago it was all information...No commerialization at all.
do a search on robert frost and every one of his poems was available...Sites with critical essays breaking down most of his poems using scansion
Do the same search today on google and most of the links are to sites that have a book or an essay for sale.
So there are answers out there...And there have been great sites for and about construction.
I helped a friend build a house ten years ago and he bought a wonderful book series...it was not called plumbing for dummies...But that was the gist of it...He bought the plumbing, septic, electrical books in the series.
I am sure that there are all kinds of great books filled with vast amounts of priceless info...
Every one of them are worth buying. This forum is a great resource to a new would be builder..But that does not take the place of specs and guidelines in print...Cross reference the info in a good builder book with the building codes where you live and you will figure it out.
There are a lot of step by step books with pictures and easy to read formats...Make a would be hack carpenter out of anyone.
I am sure that a couple of the more prominent members of this forum will tell you the better guide books out there.
-Peter
Benevolence is right - the web will never replace a personal resource library.
Here's the list we've been building up on the CountryPlans site for years. Start at the top and work your way down.
http://www.countryplans.com/books.html
(If anyone wants to write a review of a great book we missed, contact john@countryplans.com)