LVL by Stora Enso now available

High-rise buildings in wood are not unusual sights anymore in cities around the world and the interest for wood as a building material grows rapidly. On all continents cities are growing, resulting in an increased demand of lighter, easy-to-assemble and renewable building solutions.

The demand for green buildings and sustainable living opens up vast commercial opportunities for wood. The wood industry is prepared for the changes and has for several years invested in innovations allowing wood into new end-uses earlier dominated by concrete and steel. These new wood products do meet the growing need for sustainable, high quality engineered, wooden building components.

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is one example of a product that has only relatively recently entered the mainstream in the thinking of architects and engineers across Europe. Whilst it is a well-known and widely used product in the USA largely driven by new residential housing starts, it has played more of a niche role in construction in Europe - until now.  

In 2016, Stora Enso opened the most advanced LVL production facility in Europe, capable of producing 100,000m3 annually. Stora Enso has also made a commitment to carry a stock of LVL at its Hull distribution facility. 

The LVL offer is designed to fit with all major manufacturers of i-joists and will also complement the increased use of posi-joist systems as well as the noticeable increase in its inclusion in roof projects. LVL complements also the full range of classic sawn products already held, including joinery redwood and whitewood, TR26, CLS as well as many other items.

“The move supports Stora Enso’s growing profile in the truss and timber frame markets. Adding LVL to our product basket, means we can offer customers an even greater range, with a fast efficient delivery service", says Howard Sidney-Wilmot, UK Sales Director, Stora Enso, Division Wood Products.

LVL is an advanced wood product suitable for a wide range of structural and industrial applications from wood-frame construction, roof trusses and I-joists to prefabricated building elements. Combining the strength of steel and the workability of wood, LVL provides an ideal solution when dimensional stability and high load-bearing capacity are essential.

The key benefits of LVL are derived from the choice of raw material used and the manner of production: spruce logs are peeled into 3mm thick veneers and bonded together under heat and pressure to create a material that is light and exceptionally strong. Every sheet of veneer is individually measured in terms of density, moisture content and modulus of elasticity to optimise performance. And the higher the quality the lower the waste: With LVL you can use every millimetre.

For more information, visit: www.storaenso.com or contact: woodproducts.uk@storaenso.com