Pressure Treating LP LVL Series Joists ??? 1

[msquared48]

Is pressure treating (Wolmanizing) LVL joists possible without affecting the strength characteristics?

Or is pressure treating even possible for this product?

If it is possible, anyone know if these joists could be obtained off the shelf, or have you seen such more as a special order item?

I cannot find a specific note to the subject in the LVL catalog... it only mentions applying a resin overlay to protect the members from the elements during construction - "Watershed" Stability Overlay, and it is proprietary - $$$. I would not term this pressure treating...

They do have wolmanized Paralams, but only in the 3.5" width, not for joists.

I have a call into the company, but they are closed for the evening.

Thanks.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[msquared48]

Nevermind. Unexpectedly got a call from a rep at LP and the products definitely cannot be pressure treated.

All is good.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[dik]

I was just going to say that LVL, PSL cannot normally be pressure treated...

Dik

 

[mike20793]

Weyerhauser makes a PSL that has preservative treatment in it. I have been told they only manufacture it in the northwest US so any time I have specified it, we get asked to switch to a preserved glulam instead. I'm in the southeast US so they don't want to deal with the longer lead time.

 

[msquared48]

Yes, i saw that too, but the minimum width of the PSL is 3.5", not your standard 1.5" width for joists.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)