Treated glulam makes big gains

rI'IHERE are a lot of products on the I market that can be called treated wood. But as of this writing there is only one treated glulam on the market endorsed by a laminated beam manufacturer and stocked in inventory at the plant.

Rosboro, Inc., one of the country's most innovative glulam manufacturers, released Rosboro Treated Glulam last year and since then has seen increased interest in the product.

Their manufacturer-endorsed treated glulam beam is made from 24F, l.SE southern pine and is treated with an approved chemical that resists rot and decay. The product is then delivered directly to distributors.

The product is available in lengths of up to 48 ft.; widths of 3-112" and 5J l16" , and depths of 9-112" , ll-718" , 14",16" and 18".

"Builders can always buy glulam off the shelf, take it to a treater and get it treated with a variety of treatments," said Rosboro's general sales manager Jim Enright. "The problem with this is that the manufacturer will not stand behind the then-treated beam. Rosboro stands behind its treated beam."

Treating beams isn't merely treating a beam then calling it treated either. According to Enright, "Choosing a specific treatment depends on the species of wood and the type of treatment to get the proper American Wood-Preservers' Association certification. Choosing a wrong treatment could affect the design values and actually make a beam weaker or even destroy it."

As far as what wood in stock they use, Rosboro uses a pre-existing supply of southern yellow pine-it's the same species used for Rosboro BigBeam thoush not manufactured for the high strength needed for the BigBeam.

The decision to produce a pre-treated beam was simple: to fill a need in the marketplace for a manufacturerendorsed treated glulam beam. After that decision, it was time for researching the different treatments available.

"We did extensive research on an approved treatment that wouldn't affect the design values of the glulam. We contacted the Forest Products Lab in Madison, Wi., and eventually found a treatment that would not harm the design values," said Enright.

Rosboro eventually went with a treatment process by Permapost, Hillsboro, Or., which has partnered with Rosboro on other products.

Now Rosboro is heavily marketing the Rosboro Treated Beam as a solution for builders, reducing callbacks against rotting and mildewing on exterior projects such as decks, porches, balconies and other applications where the beam is exposed to the elements.

Rosboro is counting on the treated beam being used in outdoor projects where strength and durability are factors, along with a longer lifespan.

"Our treated process helps extend the life of a glulam beam by 20 to 25 years," added Enright.

A typical untreated glulam can be left out exposed with no maintenance, no sealant, and no paint. It eventually checks and cups and then ultimately rots. Worse, it can start to develop moisture where the hardware or fasteners are attached, eventually leading to rot in those areas.

According to Rosboro, the product is doing very well in areas of the country with lots of water exposureplaces in the West like Puget Sound and Lake Tahoe, and the mid-Atlantic and Gulf states.

"It's a truly sellable product and is doing great within those core selling areas," Enright said. "Those that do know it is available are discovering that it's a perfect solution to exposed conditions, especially in the wet, moist geographic areas."

Consumer demand for functional outdoor spaces will translate into larger decks with longer spans. Rosboro thinks the trend will help fuel treated glulam beam usage since the beams eliminate the need for view-blocking posts while providing a sturdier, longer-lasting under-carriage for decks. "We're definitely riding the wave of the outdoor livins movement," added Enright.

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