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Glulam sized for residential framing
Western Archrib glulam offers home builders and building suppliers an alternative to LVL. Available in I-joist-compatible depths including 9¼″, 9½″, 11⅞″, 14″ and 16″, 18", 20", 24" and common wall framing widths such as 3½″, 5½″, and 7¼″ our glulam works with readily available, off-the-shelf hangers and connections.
Supplied wrapped and sealed with an industrial finish, it arrives ready for the jobsite and is available in 20f-E/CSP1 Spruce Pine, as well as 24f V4 and 24f V8 Douglas Fir.
It’s a dependable, renewable wood solution designed to make the switch from LVL simple.
We would love to support your next build. Call our team today to learn more.
LVL to Glulam Conversion Guide
U.S. conversion values
LVL SHORTAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED
Western Archrib glulam beams, manufactured in Douglas Fir 24f-V8 or Canadian Spruce-Pine 20f-E/CSP1, are engineered to the same rigorous stress grades used across our structural product line and can be sized to step directly into an LVL-designed opening. In most cases, no redesign of the wall or floor system is required — only a straightforward size substitution using the charts in this guide.
How to Use These Charts
Find your specified LVL size in the left-hand column of the matching chart — standard glulam size, door and window headers, floor and ceiling beams— then read across to the equivalent Western Archrib glulam size, available in Douglas Fir 24f-V8 or Canadian Spruce-Pine 20f-E/CSP1.
Standard Glulam Size
Choose the most efficient standard glulam size
Use these charts when looking for an efficient standard glulam size without restrictions in acceptable glulam width and depth.
- Glulam width is set to the closest standard width (3-1/8", 5-1/8", 6-7/8" or 8-1/2”)
- Glulam depth is set to standard depth (in 1-1/2” increments) to make up the difference in bending strength and stiffness.
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1/2" × 5-1/2" | 3-1/8" × 7-1/2" | 3-1/8" × 7-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 7-1/4" | 3-1/8" × 9" | 3-1/8" × 10-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 9-1/4" | 3-1/8" × 12" | 3-1/8" × 13-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 9-1/2" | 3-1/8" × 12" | 3-1/8" × 13-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 11-1/4" | 3-1/8" × 13-1/2" | 3-1/8" × 15" |
| 3-1/2" × 11-7/8" | 3-1/8" × 15" | 3-1/8" × 16-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 14" | 3-1/8" × 18" | 3-1/8" × 19-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 16" | 3-1/8" × 19-1/2" | 3-1/8" × 22-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 18" | 3-1/8" × 22-1/2" | 3-1/8" × 25-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 20" | 3-1/8" × 25-1/2" | 3-1/8" × 27" |
| 3-1/2" × 24" | 3-1/8" × 30" | 3-1/8" × 33" |
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 5-1/4" × 5-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 7-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 7-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 7-1/4" | 5-1/8" × 9" | 5-1/8" × 10-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 9-1/4" | 5-1/8" × 12" | 5-1/8" × 12" |
| 5-1/4" × 9-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 12" | 5-1/8" × 13-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 11-1/4" | 5-1/8" × 13-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 15" |
| 5-1/4" × 11-7/8" | 5-1/8" × 15" | 5-1/8" × 16-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 14" | 5-1/8" × 16-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 19-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 16" | 5-1/8" × 19-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 21" |
| 5-1/4" × 18" | 5-1/8" × 22-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 24" |
| 5-1/4" × 20" | 5-1/8" × 24" | 5-1/8" × 27" |
| 5-1/4" × 24" | 5-1/8" × 30" | 5-1/8" × 33" |
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 7" × 5-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 7-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 7-1/2" |
| 7" × 7-1/4" | 6-7/8" × 9" | 6-7/8" × 10-1/2" |
| 7" × 9-1/4" | 6-7/8" × 12" | 6-7/8" × 12" |
| 7" × 9-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 12" | 6-7/8" × 13-1/2" |
| 7" × 11-1/4" | 6-7/8" × 13-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 15" |
| 7" × 11-7/8" | 6-7/8" × 15" | 6-7/8" × 16-1/2" |
| 7" × 14" | 6-7/8" × 18" | 6-7/8" × 19-1/2" |
| 7" × 16" | 6-7/8" × 19-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 22-1/2" |
| 7" × 18" | 6-7/8" × 22-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 24" |
| 7" × 20" | 6-7/8" × 24" | 6-7/8" × 27" |
| 7" × 24" | 6-7/8" × 30" | 6-7/8" × 33" |
Door & Window Headers
Keep the width. Adjust the depth.
Use this chart when replacing an LVL header over a door or window opening. The glulam width is sized to match the wall framing category, so the header fits the same rough opening. Only the depth changes, to account for the difference in bending strength between LVL and glulam.
- Glulam width is sized to match standard wall framing (3-1/2", 5-1/2", or 7-1/4"), so the header fits the same rough opening as the LVL it replaces.
- Glulam is set to standard depth (in 1-1/2” increments) to make up the difference in bending strength and stiffness.
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1/2" × 5-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 7-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 7-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 7-1/4" | 3-1/2" × 9" | 3-1/2" × 9" |
| 3-1/2" × 9-1/4" | 3-1/2" × 10-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 12" |
| 3-1/2" × 9-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 12" | 3-1/2" × 12" |
| 3-1/2" × 11-1/4" | 3-1/2" × 13-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 15" |
| 3-1/2" × 11-7/8" | 3-1/2" × 13-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 15" |
| 3-1/2" × 14" | 3-1/2" × 16-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 18" |
| 3-1/2" × 16" | 3-1/2" × 19-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 21" |
| 3-1/2" × 18" | 3-1/2" × 21" | 3-1/2" × 24" |
| 3-1/2" × 20" | 3-1/2" × 24" | 3-1/2" × 25-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 24" | 3-1/2" × 28-1/2" | 3-1/2" × 31-1/2" |
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 5-1/4" × 5-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 7-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 7-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 7-1/4" | 5-1/2" × 9" | 5-1/2" × 9" |
| 5-1/4" × 9-1/4" | 5-1/2" × 10-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 12" |
| 5-1/4" × 9-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 12" | 5-1/2" × 12" |
| 5-1/4" × 11-1/4" | 5-1/2" × 13-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 15" |
| 5-1/4" × 11-7/8" | 5-1/2" × 13-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 15" |
| 5-1/4" × 14" | 5-1/2" × 16-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 18" |
| 5-1/4" × 16" | 5-1/2" × 19-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 21" |
| 5-1/4" × 18" | 5-1/2" × 21" | 5-1/2" × 24" |
| 5-1/4" × 20" | 5-1/2" × 24" | 5-1/2" × 25-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 24" | 5-1/2" × 28-1/2" | 5-1/2" × 31-1/2" |
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 7" × 5-1/2" | 7-1/4" × 7-1/2" | 7-1/4" × 7-1/2" |
| 7" × 7-1/4" | 7-1/4" × 9" | 7-1/4" × 10-1/2" |
| 7" × 9-1/4" | 7-1/4" × 12" | 7-1/4" × 12" |
| 7" × 9-1/2" | 7-1/4" × 12" | 7-1/4" × 13-1/2" |
| 7" × 11-1/4" | 7-1/4" × 13-1/2" | 7-1/4" × 15" |
| 7" × 11-7/8" | 7-1/4" × 15" | 7-1/4" × 16-1/2" |
| 7" × 14" | 7-1/4" × 16-1/2" | 7-1/4" × 19-1/2" |
| 7" × 16" | 7-1/4" × 19-1/2" | 7-1/4" × 22-1/2" |
| 7" × 18" | 7-1/4" × 21" | 7-1/4" × 24" |
| 7" × 20" | 7-1/4" × 24" | 7-1/4" × 27" |
| 7" × 24" | 7-1/4" × 28-1/2" | 7-1/4" × 33" |
Floor & Ceiling Beams
Keep the depth. Adjust the width.
Use this chart when replacing an LVL beam or ledger within a floor or ceiling I-joist system. The glulam depth is matched to the LVL depth so the beam lines up with the joist framing. The width increases instead, to carry the equivalent load.
- Glulam depth is matched to the LVL depth so the beam lines up with the I-joist floor or ceiling framing it replaces.
- Glulam width is set to standard width to make up the difference in bending strength and stiffness.
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1/2" × 5-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 5-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 5-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 7-1/4" | 5-1/8" × 7-1/4" | 6-7/8" × 7-1/4" |
| 3-1/2" × 9-1/4" | 5-1/8" × 9-1/4" | 6-7/8" × 9-1/4" |
| 3-1/2" × 9-1/2" | 5-1/8" × 9-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 9-1/2" |
| 3-1/2" × 11-1/4" | 5-1/8" × 11-1/4" | 6-7/8" × 11-1/4" |
| 3-1/2" × 11-7/8" | 5-1/8" × 11-7/8" | 6-7/8" × 11-7/8" |
| 3-1/2" × 14" | 5-1/8" × 14" | 6-7/8" × 14" |
| 3-1/2" × 16" | 5-1/8" × 16" | 6-7/8" × 16" |
| 3-1/2" × 18" | 5-1/8" × 18" | 6-7/8" × 18" |
| 3-1/2" × 20" | 5-1/8" × 20" | 6-7/8" × 20" |
| 3-1/2" × 24" | 5-1/8" × 24" | 6-7/8" × 24" |
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 5-1/4" × 5-1/2" | 6-7/8" × 5-1/2" | 8-1/2" × 5-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 7-1/4" | 6-7/8" × 7-1/4" | 8-1/2" × 7-1/4" |
| 5-1/4" × 9-1/4" | 8-1/2" × 9-1/4" | 8-1/2" × 9-1/4" |
| 5-1/4" × 9-1/2" | 8-1/2" × 9-1/2" | 8-1/2" × 9-1/2" |
| 5-1/4" × 11-1/4" | 8-1/2" × 11-1/4" | 8-1/2" × 11-1/4" |
| 5-1/4" × 11-7/8" | 8-1/2" × 11-7/8" | 10-1/2" × 11-7/8" |
| 5-1/4" × 14" | 8-1/2" × 14" | 10-1/2" × 14" |
| 5-1/4" × 16" | 8-1/2" × 16" | 10-1/2" × 16" |
| 5-1/4" × 18" | 8-1/2" × 18" | 10-1/2" × 18" |
| 5-1/4" × 20" | 8-1/2" × 20" | 10-1/2" × 20" |
| 5-1/4" × 24" | 8-1/2" × 24" | 10-1/2" × 24" |
| LVL Size (W × D) | Glulam (W × D) D.Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam (W × D) CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|
| 7" × 5-1/2" | 10-1/2" × 5-1/2" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 7-1/4" | 10-1/2" × 7-1/4" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 9-1/4" | 10-1/2" × 9-1/4" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 9-1/2" | 10-1/2" × 9-1/2" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 11-1/4" | 10-1/2" × 11-1/4" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 11-7/8" | 10-1/2" × 11-7/8" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 14" | 10-1/2" × 14" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 16" | 10-1/2" × 16" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 18" | 10-1/2" × 18" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 20" | 10-1/2" × 20" | Custom order — contact us |
| 7" × 24" | 10-1/2" × 24" | Custom order — contact us |
Note: a standard-size CSP1 20f-E width is not available for every 7" LVL depth shown above.
Contact your Western Archrib representative for a custom solution.
Reference Design Values & Technical Notes
| Design Value | LVL | Glulam Douglas Fir 24f-V8 | Glulam Canadian Spruce Pine CSP1 20f-E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fb — bending (psi) | 3100 | 2,400 | 2,000 |
| Fv — shear (psi) | 530 | 265 | 215 |
| E — modulus of elasticity (psi) | 2,000,000 | 1,800,000 | 1,500,000 |
Table Specifications
- Single span beams with uniform distributed loads are assumed in conversion tables.
- Dry service conditions are assumed in conversion tables
- Continuous bracing of beams for lateral stability is assumed in conversion tables.
- LVL design values reflect common published values available in North America. Glulam sizes shown will be conservative for LVL products with lower published values. Glulam sizes shown might be non-conservative for LVL products with higher published values depending on the governing design situation, and sizes should be confirmed by project-specific engineering calculations.
- Bending values (Fb) are adjusted by a volume factor Cv as per NDS for glulam, and by a volume factor of Cv = (12/d)0.133 for LVL
- The glulam volume factor Cv is based on a span-to-depth (L/d) ratio of 21. Where the actual span-to-depth ratio is larger, a smaller Cv factor will be required, and sizes should be confirmed by project-specific engineering calculations.
- Adequacy is checked for bending and deflection. Adequacy in shear, especially for point loaded beams, should be confirmed by project-specific engineering calculations.
- Smaller glulam sizes may be possible with project-specific engineering based on actual span and loading conditions.
- LVL size might be a single piece or multiple pieces side-by-side fastened together as per the manufacturer’s guidelines for wider beams.
- Reverse use of these charts — converting a glulam size back to an LVL— is non-conservative in all cases and is not permitted.
While these conversions have been prepared in accordance with recognized engineering principles and are based on accurate technical data, they should not be used without competent examination and verification of their accuracy, suitability, and applicability by a qualified design professional. Western Archrib makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, that the information contained herein is suitable for any general or specific use, or is free from infringement of any patent or copyright. Any user of this information assumes all risk and liability arising from its use.
Contact our team
LVL Replacement
Western USA and Canada
Alba Filgueira, MBA
Relationship Manager
1-236-863-0718
albaf@westernarchrib.com
LVL Replacement
Eastern USA and Canada
Timothy Goodman
Relationship Manager
1-705-313-0311
timothyg@westernarchrib.com
LVL Replacement
Southern USA
Mike Ware
Relationship Manager
1-903-922-1878
mikew@westernarchrib.com
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