Glued laminated timber manufacturing is a complex, high-tech process. It is described below in brief only.

The basic raw material for glued laminated timber manufacturing is spruce and pine timber. The timber is first dried in specially designed drying rooms. After reaching appropriate moisture level, i.e. 12-2% the boards are sorted according to norm requirements. The next step is the first mechanical processing ? finger or dovetail joints are milled into board ends, glue is applied and the boards are joined together into so called lamellas ? long boards of required length. The material is then stored for the glue to dry. The lamellas are then planed to required thickness (usually 40mm), coated with glue, layered atop one another, and pressed together on a previously adjusted press to achieve the designed shape of the component. The drying process takes place at a temperature of ca. 30-40°C and adequate air humidity. After the glue has dried, the resulting product is then post-processed by notching, planing and impregnation.

Melamine glues (resins) are most typically used for gluing. The glue is resistant to moisture and fire. Its colour is light beige. An alternative solution is the use of resorcin resin glue, a brown-coloured substance with high resistance to increased ambient moisture levels. Both types of glues do not release any harmful substances even in case of fire.

The most typically used preservatives for protection of glued laminated timber constructions are various types of salt-based substances increasing resistance to biological corrosion and sometimes to fire. The components are surface-proofed.

Wood, opposite to steel and reinforced concrete, is a natural material, making it resistant to aggressive environments. Thus it is often used for roof constructions of swimming pools, salt and fertilizer warehouses etc. All steel joints are made of galvanized, stainless or acid-resistant steel.

As previously mentioned, moisture-resistant glues are used for glued laminated timber manufacturing. Glued laminated timber can be used in most facilities (e.g. sports halls, swimming pools) without any proofing, however using preservatives offered by our company it additionally obtains very high resistance to biological corrosion.

Due to the fact that glued laminated timber is made of thin, flexible boards, it can be easily shaped into arcs, which is neither easy nor cheap in case of other materials. Moreover, when designing apparently straight components they can receive initial curvature, which allows for slimmer and cheaper constructions.

Glued laminated timber, after ensuring adequate conditions such as chamfered edges and planed surface, is resistant to fire. Charred external coating protects the internal (load-bearing) part of the components, ensuring long-term resistance to fire. It all makes glued laminated timber constructions highly stable in case of fire and fully comply with the requirements of relevant norms.

Thanks to a very low heat conductivity, the timber used in construction does not form thermal bridges, but it creates heat insulation. It works perfectly well in both high and low temperatures.

Glued laminated timber is aesthetically identical to solid wood, it is equally friendly, warm, creates visual comfort. Wood is the most natural construction material. Usually glued laminated timber is used as construction material, but it also creates a unique climate, atmosphere, contributing to pleasant stay and work atmosphere. Moreover, as mentioned above, it allows for shaping of even the most sophisticated and original components, which enhances the style of the building.

Low weight and endurance features of glued laminated timber allows for construction of structures with large spans without intermediate supports, enhancing the utility features of facilities such as warehouses, production halls etc. Also the assembly becomes easier and much quicker. The lightness of construction also offers indirect, notable savings on other elements of the whole project. Due to low forces transferred to pillars, walls or foundations, the designed dimensions of these elements are much smaller than in case of traditional steel or reinforced concrete structures, and the lightweight construction often allows for buildings to be located on unfavourable soil conditions.

Glued laminated timber is a highly aesthetic material, which is an additional benefit and allows for larga savings on finishing materials ? it does not require additional external fitting, which is often the case with other construction types.

Savings appear also during maintenance of facilities where glued laminated timber constructions are used ? they do not require any ongoing conservation or renovation. A properly designed and built structure is a long-lasting element in buildings. For comparison, steel constructions require periodic conservation every several years, e.g. renewal of anti-corrosion or fire protection coatings, causing additional unnecessary costs and often leading to shutdown of the entire facility.