Summary
• UK specifiers are increasingly recognising glulam’s potential.
• There are still some knowledge gaps regarding applications and product benefits.
• Glulam’s insulating properties help satisfy the requirements of Part L.
• EC5 is likely to have both positive and negative implications for glulam specification.

TTJ: How is the UK market for glulam performing?
Tony Miles: The UK has been slower than Europe to adopt glulam as an alternative to traditional structural materials such as steel or concrete. However, this is changing as architects and specifiers are increasingly recognising glulam’s versatility, and its associated practical, aesthetic and sustainability benefits.

The growing availability of pressure-treated glulam, along with increased environmental awareness among public and private sector companies, has helped to strengthen market demand and we’re now seeing a rise in companies and engineers offering specialist design services for glulam structures.

TTJ: What is the general awareness of glulam?
TM: Despite its rising popularity, a lack of awareness of glulam still exists among some builders and specifiers, with knowledge gaps regarding potential applications and product benefits – the misconception that timber frame construction is only suitable for low-rise, for example.

In some sectors, however, legislation and incentives are stimulating the specification of glulam and fostering a deeper understanding of its capabilities. The Building Schools for the Future programme is a prime example of this, with glulam’s insulating properties helping to satisfy the requirements of Part L by eliminating the thermal bridge between structure and substructure. Its weight-to-strength ratio leads to savings on foundations, transport and erection and, combined with its associated sustainability credentials, fire resistance and durability, it offers an ideal choice for public sector building.

TTJ: What is glulam’s potential looking ahead?
TM: By March 2010 all structural timber design will need to conform to Eurocode 5 (EC5). Whereas British design standard BS 5268 contains just 44 formulae relating to the specification of load-bearing timber, EC5 contains 300, and the steep learning curve that will be required in order to get to grips with these changes, including the significant investment required in terms of time, cost and resources, is likely to have both positive and negative implications when it comes to the specification of glulam.

Unless action is taken now to address the knowledge gaps that exist among some architects and specifiers regarding the use of engineered timber, there is a danger that some companies will lose out on the potential opportunities these changes will bring. Manufacturers and suppliers have a duty to educate customers throughout the supply chain to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to specify products, such as glulam, with confidence. Although the complexity of EC5 is viewed as unnecessary by some, we can’t afford to ignore this legislation, and companies that embrace change and seek to lead innovation in the use of structural timber will reap the rewards.

TTJ: Will the UK catch up with other countries?
TM: European, Nordic and North American countries were quicker to adopt glulam as a more mainstream structural solution, so these markets are more established. However, the UK is rapidly catching up and specification of glulam looks set to increase as its practicalities and benefits become more widely recognised.