What is the Best Glue for Laminated Beams?

What is the Best Glue for Laminated Beams?

Best Glue for Laminated Beams – Industrial Scale

Often, laminated beams support bridges, buildings, and roofs. For sustainable building, glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) are popular. If moisture gets inside, it can weaken the glue bond and cause delamination.

Here is a comparison table for the main adhesive options for laminating structural timber beams, with some context on each adhesive type:

	Melamine	PRF	PUR
Rating of Cost	★★★★★	★★★	★★★★
Full Name	Melamine	Phenol Resorcinol Formaldehyde (PRF)	Polyurethane (PUR)
Description	Two-part adhesives that cure through polycondensation reaction. Require adding a hardener to initiate curing.	Two-part adhesives that cure through polycondensation. Require mixing resin and hardener.	One-part moisture-cure adhesives. React with wood’s moisture to cure.
Cost	Lowest cost option. Around $2-3 per pound.	Approximately 2-3 times the cost of melamine adhesives. Around $6 per pound.	Slightly higher than melamine. Around $3-5 per pound.
Bond Strength	Forms rigid bonds between layers. Suitable for structural applications.	Creates extremely rigid bonds between layers. Very high strength.	Bonds are structurally rigid but allow some flexibility.
Moisture Resistance	Good moisture resistance. Resists weather and water.	Excellent moisture resistance. Suitable for outdoor use.	Good moisture resistance, though less than PRF.
Formaldehyde Emissions	Can emit formaldehyde, though low- and no-emission options available.	Contains formaldehyde in resin. Low emissions.	Zero formaldehyde.
Ease of Use	Requires mixing two parts together prior to use.	Mixing required. Short working time.	No mixing required. Long working time.
Clamp/Cure Time	16-24 hours clamp & cure time.	24-48 hours clamp & cure time.	8-12 hours clamp & cure time.
Heat Resistance	Moderate heat resistance. Begins to soften at 120°C.	High heat resistance. Can withstand over 200°C.	Lower heat resistance than other options.

Titebond II on Laminated Beams

laminating 2×4 boards

I’m laminating 2×4 boards together to create a post. The lumber yard I visited didn’t have non-pressure treated 4×4 posts available. Therefore, I’m using Titebond II glue and 2.5-inch nails to construct 5 posts.

These posts will provide support for the loft bed.

Laminated Wood on the Roof

Finding the best glue for laminated beams is crucial for ensuring strong bonds, structural integrity, moisture resistance, and the longevity of the finished structure or roof.

While Titebond II is water-resistant, it may not provide the level of water resistance required for laminated beams consistently exposed to moisture.

Titebond III – The Best Glue for Laminated Beams

1.5 Inches Thick Wood

I’m currently gluing up these outside corners, just two pieces coming together. They’re about 1.5 inches thick. I’ve also got the last of the exterior trim laid out, which consists of 20-foot pieces measuring one inch by one inch by eight feet.

I’ll need to straight-line it, though, as these pieces aren’t perfectly straight.

Boat Beam

This is the new beam to lift the boat. This one is 10 feet long so it will fit on the cribbing a bit better. There are three 2 x 6 s laminated up with 1/2 inch plywood and plenty of Titebond III glue. 16 penny nails every six inches.

Titebond III is designed to provide excellent strength and durability while offering superior water resistance.

Why Not Titebond I?

Titebond I is a Type I woodworking glue, which means it is designed for interior use and has a lower water resistance compared to Titebond II and III. It is suitable for applications where water exposure is minimal, such as furniture assembly or general woodworking projects. However, for laminated beams that may be exposed to moisture or outdoor conditions, it is advisable to use a glue with higher water resistance.

Titebond 1 Vs. 2 Vs. 3