With its exceptional strength, durability, and versatility, LVL beams have become a preferred choice for architects, engineers, and builders alike. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the world of LVL beams, providing complete information about their sizes, costs, spans, and prices.
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LVL stands for Laminated Veneer Lumber, a type of engineered wood product created by bonding thin wood veneers together with adhesives. This manufacturing process results in a strong and dimensionally stable beam that offers excellent load-bearing capabilities.
LVL beams offer several advantages over traditional lumber and other engineered wood products. They are known for their consistent strength, reduced risk of warping or splitting, and resistance to moisture and pests. Additionally, LVL beams are eco-friendly as they make efficient use of timber resources.
LVL beams are renowned for their exceptional strength, making them suitable for spanning long distances and supporting significant loads.
Thanks to the manufacturing process, LVL beams exhibit minimal shrinkage, warping, or twisting, ensuring stability and consistency in construction.
LVL beams are eco-friendly as they maximize the use of timber resources and reduce waste. Using LVL beams in construction contributes to sustainable building practices.
LVL beams come in various sizes, each designed to accommodate different load requirements and spans. Common sizes range from 1.5 inches to 3.5 inches in width and 5.25 inches to 18 inches in depth.
The span capacity of LVL beams varies based on factors such as the load they need to support and the spacing between supports. The most common LVL beam sizes include:
It’s important to note that these are general LVL beam sizes, and custom sizes may be available depending on the manufacturer and supplier. When selecting the appropriate LVL beam size for a project, factors such as span length, load requirements, building codes, and engineering specifications must be taken into account.
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) beams are available in standard thicknesses of 7/4 inches and 7/2 inches. The 7/4 inches LVL beams are commonly used for lighter load-bearing applications, while the 7/2 inches LVL beams offer increased load-carrying capacity.
Custom thicknesses may also be available from manufacturers to suit specific project needs. Consulting with a structural engineer or construction professional is essential to ensure the chosen LVL beam thickness meets safety and performance standards.
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) beams are available in standard lengths such as 24 feet, 28 feet, 32 feet, 36 feet, 40 feet, and 44 feet. Special orders can be made for longer lengths, up to 60 feet or more, to meet specific project requirements.
It’s important to consult with a structural engineer or construction professional to choose the appropriate LVL beam length for the project’s needs.
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) beams come in various depths, ranging from 5.5 inches to 24 inches. The depth selection depends on factors like load-carrying capacity and building design.
It’s essential to consult with a structural engineer to choose the suitable LVL beam depth for the project, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
The cost of LVL beams can vary depending on several factors. These include the size and length of the beam, the grade of the veneers used, the manufacturer, and the location of purchase.
While LVL beams may have a higher upfront cost compared to traditional lumber, their superior strength and dimensional stability can result in cost savings in the long run. The reduced risk of warping and bending means less maintenance and longer-lasting structures.
LVL beams find extensive use in residential construction projects. They are commonly employed as floor joists, roof rafters, headers, and beams in load-bearing walls.
In commercial and industrial buildings, LVL beams are used for various structural components, such as beams, columns, and trusses. Their high load-bearing capacity and reliability make them an ideal choice for large-scale projects.
The price of LVL beams can vary based on the region, demand, and supplier. It is essential to obtain quotes from multiple suppliers to ensure the best value for your project.
On average, the cost of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) beams can vary based on factors such as size, grade, and location. For the materials alone, the price of LVL beams is generally in the range of $3 to $12 per linear foot. This cost can fluctuate depending on the specific requirements of the project and the supplier’s pricing.
If you opt for professional installation, the installation cost for LVL beams typically ranges from $50 to $200 per linear foot. The total installation cost will be influenced by factors like the complexity of the installation, labor rates in your area, and any additional treatments or finishes required.
To provide a rough estimate of the total cost, let’s consider an example. Suppose you need to install a 20-foot LVL beam, and the materials cost around $8 per linear foot. The material cost for this beam would be $8 x 20 = $160.
Next, assuming the installation cost is around $100 per linear foot, the installation cost for a 20-foot beam would be $100 x 20 = $2,000.
Therefore, the total cost for the installation of this 20-foot LVL beam would be $160 (materials) + $2,000 (installation) = $2,160.
Keep in mind that these are approximate figures and can vary based on factors specific to your project, including regional pricing differences, the complexity of the installation, and any additional services required.
When considering the cost of LVL beams, it’s crucial to weigh their benefits, such as increased strength, dimensional stability, and long-term durability, against the initial investment. LVL beams can offer significant advantages in terms of structural performance and longevity, potentially leading to cost savings over the life of the construction.
Before proceeding with any project involving LVL beams, it’s recommended to obtain detailed quotes from suppliers and contractors, and consult with professionals to ensure that you make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and construction needs.
When exploring the market for LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beams, it’s essential to consider various factors that can influence the prices. LVL beams offer numerous advantages over traditional lumber, but their cost can vary based on several key aspects:
When selecting LVL beams for a project, it is essential to consider various factors such as the required load capacity, span length, and budget. Consulting with a structural engineer or a qualified professional can help ensure the appropriate beam sizes and grades are chosen for the specific application.
To ensure you select the appropriate LVL beam for your specific needs, consider the following factors:
By carefully considering these factors, you can confidently choose the right LVL beam that meets your project’s specific needs and ensures a strong and stable structure for years to come. Always prioritize safety and compliance with building codes to ensure a successful construction project.
Proper installation of LVL beams is crucial to ensure their optimal performance and longevity. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines and safety precautions during installation is vital to guarantee the structural integrity of the building.
LVL beams have emerged as a game-changer in the construction industry, providing superior strength, stability, and sustainability. With their various sizes, span capacities, and cost-effectiveness, LVL beams have become a go-to solution for modern construction projects.
If you are looking to enhance the structural integrity of your next building endeavor, consider incorporating LVL beams. Their exceptional performance and cost efficiency will undoubtedly elevate your construction to new heights.
A steel beam costs $100 to $400 per foot to install or $1,200 to $4,200 on average for residential construction. Replacing a load-bearing wall with a support beam costs $4,000 to $10,000. Steel I-beam prices are $6 to $18 per foot for just the materials.
Extra costs apply for knocking down walls, rerouting utilities, or adding underpinnings for support.
Steel beams offer many advantages over traditional wood structural beams.
They provide higher weight-bearing capacity and are fire and rot-resistant.
Steel beams will increase the strength of your home's structure, and give you design options to open up walls or support heavier building materials.
Steel beams allow you to use extended roof lines or longer balconies without support columns below. No other material can match the engineering options provided by steel.
To get a free, accurate estimate contact general contractors near you, or read our guide below for the types of beams and their costs.
The average cost to install a steel beam is $1,200 to $4,200 or $100 to $400 per foot, including a structural engineer’s inspection, permits, the beam, delivery, and installation.
Highly complex steel beam installations with underpinnings or long spans cost $500+ per foot or $6,000 to $10,000.
To install a steel support beam, you first need to have a contractor custom-order the steel beam type specified by a structural engineer.
The total cost and method of installing a new beam can include:
Your city council’s permit fees
Inspections from a structural engineer to determine the type of beam needed
Labor and disposal fees for removing any old beam
Fees to remove a load-bearing wall when replacing it with a beam
Labor costs to add more support, such as underpinnings and columns
The cost of the beam itself and delivery fees for ordering custom steel or LVL beams
Crane rental fees to lift a new steel beam into place
Labor and materials to refinish your ceiling, floors, and walls after the beam installation is complete
A structural engineer inspection costs $250 to $1,000 to calculate how much weight your beam needs to support and how much space your building design allows for the beam. Steel beam prices are influenced by:
The length, flange width, and thickness of the beam
Whether it’s an I-beam, H-beam, U-beam, or another shape
The weight, grade, and quality of the steel
The current market value of steel, or current stock of the beam supplier
Ordering a painted beam or a galvanized one, coated with zinc
Shipping or local delivery costs depending on the weight of the beam
Steel I-beams cost $6 to $18 per foot, while stronger H-beams cost $11 to $80 per foot. Steel I-beams are cheaper than H-beams due to their differences in shape, weight, span, and weight-bearing capacity.
A 10' steel I-beam costs $60 to $180, while a 30' steel I-beam costs $180 to $540. H-beams can cost as much as double but are stronger, and support spans up to 3 times longer. Steel beam prices are always fluctuating based on the current market conditions.
The cost of raw structural steel for common-size I-beams is $0.90 to $1.60 per pound, $2.00 to $3.40 per Kg when buying by the beam, or $90 per ton in bulk. Buying structural steel based on weight is reserved for bulk orders only, and prices change regularly due to market conditions.
Softwoods and LVL beams are typically the most-affordable beams. Concrete beams are mid-range priced, while heavy timber and steel are the most expensive, but are the strongest.
The most significant cost difference is in the installation and delivery, not the beam.
Steel beams require higher shipping fees and may need cranes on-site to lift the beam into place.
Attaching the home's components to wood is much easier compared to steel. Steel needs fabricator-formed holes for bolts, which requires architectural planning up front.
A load-bearing support beam costs $5 to $20 per foot for the beam alone, or $50 to $200 per foot. Support beam materials other than steel include engineered beams like LVL or Glulam, wood, and concrete. LVL beams cost $3 to $12 per foot, while wood beams run $5 to $20.
Builders may combine and use multiple materials to create a custom beam that meets the building code requirements.
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Steel beams are the most popular due to their durability and fire resistance.
An engineered beam costs $3 to $34 per foot, depending on the size and type of composite structural lumber. Composite wood beams are multiple layers of wood bonded with strong glues. Glulam and LVL beams are the most popular type of engineered beams.
Engineered beams are stronger than standard lumber and preferable to steel because they can be trimmed on-site to fit into irregularly shaped areas.
Steel pieces must fit exactly; resizing requires sending them back to the factory.
LVL beams cost $3 to $12 per linear foot. LVL beams are more affordable and stronger than wood beams. They're also fire-resistant, shrink-proof, and easy to install in long lengths.
“LVL” stands for laminated veneer lumber, which is a thick plank made of layers of thin plywood bonded together. They are also called “Microlam” or micro-laminated beams.
Glulam beams cost $6 to $34 per linear foot. Glulam means “glued laminated timber,” and contains multiple thin layers of wood bonded together with strong glues. This type of engineered beam is very strong and highly customizable. It's even available in curved shapes for vaulted ceilings.
Wood support beams cost $5 to $30 per linear foot on average, with some exotic wood species ranging between $30 and $90 per foot. Wood I-beam prices mainly depend on the wood type and beam size. Lightweight softwoods are in greater supply, which is a major cost factor.
Softwoods – Light structural lumber is typically cheaper but bears the least weight of all beams. Species include Spruce, Hemlock, Pine, Douglas Fir, and Cedar. Builders may combine multiple softwood beams to make a custom beam, but only once they have approval from a structural engineer.
Hardwoods – Hardwoods or heavy timber beams are typically stronger, denser, and more fire-resistant than softwoods. Common hardwood species include Hickory, Oak, Maple, Mahogany, Walnut, and Teak.
The cost of 6" x 6" reclaimed wood beams is $6 to $15 per linear foot, while 10" x 10" upcycled beams cost $45 to $60 per linear foot. The most common reclaimed wood beams are hickory, oak, and maple wood, which can support greater loads and are more fire-resistant.
Precast or prestressed concrete beams cost $7 to $16 per linear foot and are reinforced with rebar inside for extra structural strength.
For additional soundproofing, order “ICF” beams, or insulated concrete forms with insulation foam hiding the steel rebar frame and concrete inside.
Builders make custom concrete beams by pouring concrete into handmade forms and then mounting them after the concrete cures.
Masons also construct concrete-block columns to support beams since they are stronger than wood posts, and can be made in any size needed.
Most residential steel beam installations use sizes of 4" to 6" tall, up to 8" wide, and lengths from 10' to 20'. However, every home’s load-bearing structure is different. A larger support beam for your house may be required to bear extra weight in a basement or a home with multiple stories.
The average cost to remove a load-bearing wall and replace it with a steel beam is $4,000 to $10,000. Prices depend on the beam size, wall size, house structure, permits, inspections, beam transportation, preparation, labor, and finishing costs.
Installing a steel beam may require support columns depending on the span, or rerouting the plumbing and electrical utilities after removing the wall. Hiring a structural engineer costs $300 to $1,000 and is required to inspect, design, and size the new beam.
Installing a recessed steel beam costs $170 to $450 per linear foot or $2,000 to $8,000 on average. Hiding a beam costs more because of the ceiling modifications required. Prices depend on how many underpinnings and piers are needed to support the steel beam's weight.
LVL beams are cheaper than steel beams; however, steel beams take up less space and are easier to install inside a ceiling. A cheaper alternative is painting the beam to make it blend in with the ceiling or to create a trim around the beam.
Extra costs to hide a beam include:
Modifying the ceiling joists to wedge the new beam up there
Using additional temporary ceiling supports during the installation
Altering the attic or crawl space to accommodate the construction
Adding new footings under the foundation
The average cost to replace the main beam in a house is $7,000 to $25,000 depending on the length, material, and job complexity. Replacing the main beam is difficult (and expensive) since it bears so much weight and requires extra temporary supports.
The main beam supports the internal weight of the house that runs across the foundation, usually near the top of the wall. The beam itself is supported by one or several support posts called jack posts or lally columns.
Replacing support beams in a basement costs $6,500 to $10,000 for a simple installation up to $15,000 to $25,000 for a complex job with numerous load-bearing walls or long spans. Basement beam replacement requires an inspection and design plans by a structural engineer.
Basement beam replacement process:
Reinforcing foundation footings if needed to bear the extra weight when switching to a steel beam
Installing stronger temporary support walls
Removing and disposing of the old beam
Relocating HVAC ductwork
Installing the new beam
Refinishing the walls or ceiling
Basement beams are often replaced to add additional support for aboveground renovations or to make use of basement space for a large room without support posts. Also, wood beams can crack under pressure, become termite-infested, or rot due to water leakage, while steel beams can rust.
The average cost to replace a support beam in a crawl space is $1,500 to $4,000, depending on the accessibility, beam size and type, and the foundation's current state. Most crawl spaces are only 1' to 3' deep, which increases the difficulty and work required.
Exposing ceiling beams costs $200 to $450+ to remove and dispose of drywall from an average 350-square-foot ceiling. Refinishing the exposed rafters or rerouting any electrical lines adds to the total cost. This is different than creating an exposed vaulted ceiling, which costs $15,000 to $25,000.
If you can’t expose your ceiling beams, another option is installing hollow faux wooden beams under your ceiling for $140 to $280 each.
Steel beams come in two main beam designs, the I-beam and the H-beam. I-beams are the most common choice for residential construction and are available up to 100' in length. H-beams are heavier, stronger, and support weight up to 300', but cost more per foot.
To decode a steel beam name:
The first letter indicates the shape of the beam.
The first number is the beam height in inches.
The second number is the beam’s weight per linear foot.
I-beams cost $6 to $18 per linear foot and weigh 6 to 12 pounds per foot. I-beams are more commonly used in residential construction since they’re lightweight and support spans up to 96 feet. I-beams, or Junior beams, are also used to reinforce a house’s foundation.
I-beams often have tapered edges and have a longer beam height than their flange width, or the width of the flat side or base.
Unlike H-beams, I-beams are not suitable for columns because they only support weight in one direction.
S-beams – The letter “S” refers to the rounded inside corners of certain types of I-beams, which look like a C channel. Some suppliers call I-beams the “American Standard Steel Beam.”
RSJ-beams – RJS stands for “rolled steel joist,” which means they're often made by rolling one piece of steel into the final shape. RSJ beams cost the same as I-beams.
H-beams cost $11 to $16 per linear foot, and are stronger than I-beams, but weigh more at 13 to 15 pounds per foot. H-beams, also called W-beams, are for columns and longer beam spans up to 300' due to their weight-bearing capacity.
The most common H-beams have extra-wide flanges or bases and are more square-shaped with nearly the same height and width.
H-beams are used in large houses, deep foundations, or framing commercial buildings.
Buy structural beams at a local steel supplier, lumberyard, or from home improvement stores. Custom-sized structural beams are available from online warehouse suppliers who deliver nationwide. However, shipping is expensive when ordering steel beams online.
A steel beam's weight per foot is listed as the last number in the name of the beam. A steel I-beam weighs between 6 and 12 pounds per foot, depending on the size. Steel H-beams weigh 13 to 65 pounds per foot and are mainly used for commercial projects.
Always hire a qualified general contractor to install a new beam—this is not a DIY project. Faulty installation can cause severe structural damage to your home. Professionals assess your home’s structure, identify the type of beam needed, handle permits, and get the job done right.
First, have a structural engineer or architect inspect your property to recommend which beam type and size you need. Then, a general contractor can give you an accurate quote. Contractors must follow the engineer or architect’s instructions to comply with building codes.
Get at least three estimates to compare.
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Always get painting estimates in person, and be skeptical of low bids.
Schedule payments beforehand. Never pay the full amount up front.
Get a copy of your contract and warranty in writing before the work begins.
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