Glulam Building: Start to Finish - Part 11C

 Welcome to our "Glulam Building: Start to Finish" series. Our goal is to provide an overview - from idea to completion - of a glulam building, from the perspective of a glulam manufacturer and designer.

Part 11C: Installation

Installation is the process of lifting and connecting glulam parts together into the their final configuration. Glulam members are often large structural components that require a crane for installation, then need to be held in place with temporary bracing until the structure is complete (including roof diaphragms and engagement of the building lateral system). Crane sizing, rigging, and temporary bracing are all the responsibility of the installer.

Lateral frames held in place by temporary bracing

During the installation, it is common for minor misfits to need to be overcome by reaming holes or notching members. This can be due to the relative fabrication tolerances of parts, or because glulam components have shrunk or swelled since fabrication. It can be even more common at connections between materials fabricated by different suppliers, although we do our best to minimize this through careful coordination during design and detailing. 

Beams temporarily partially unwrapped at connection points

Through careful handling, it may be possible to keep the protective wrap on glulam in place during installation. Wrap can be opened at the ends for connections, then put back in place for protection from the elements. However, if wrap is damaged or lost in some areas, it is typically best to remove all wrap in order to avoid differences in exposure to the sun.

Fully unwrapped beams being installed