Glulam Weight Calculator - How to Calculate Glulam Beam Weight

Last updated: 21 May 2025 | Author: Brij | Review By: Irshad

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Easily calculate glulam beam weight with our free online tool! Enter length, width, height & density to get weight in lbs and kg.

Length:

Width:

Height:

Wood Species:

Weight Calculation Results

Volume:

ft³

Weight:

lbs

Weight (Metric):

Glued laminated timber (glulam) is a popular engineered wood product used in construction for its strength and versatility. If you need to determine the weight of a glulam beam for transport, structural analysis, or material estimation, our Glulam Weight Calculator simplifies the process.

How to Calculate Glulam Weight

The weight of a glulam beam depends on its dimensions (length, width, height) and density. Here’s the formula:

1. Calculate Volume (in cubic feet, ft³)

The volume of a rectangular glulam beam is calculated as:

$\text{Volume (ft³)} = \text{Length (ft)} \times \text{Width (ft)} \times \text{Height (ft)}$

2. Calculate Weight (in pounds, lbs)

Once you have the volume, multiply it by the density of the glulam (typically 36-40 lbs/ft³ for standard softwood glulam):

$\text{Weight (lbs)} = \text{Volume (ft³)} \times \text{Density (lbs/ft³)}$

3. Convert Weight to Metric (in kilograms, kg)

To convert pounds to kilograms:

$\text{Weight (kg)} = \text{Weight (lbs)} \times 0.453592$

Example Calculation

Let’s calculate the weight of a glulam beam with the following dimensions:

Length = 10 ft
Width = 0.5 ft (6 inches)
Height = 1 ft (12 inches)
Density = 38 lbs/ft³

Step 1: Calculate Volume

$\text{Volume} = 10 \times 0.5 \times 1 = 5 \text{ ft³}$

Step 2: Calculate Weight in Pounds (lbs)

$\text{Weight (lbs)} = 5 \times 38 = 190 \text{ lbs}$

Step 3: Convert to Kilograms (kg)

$\text{Weight (kg)} = 190 \times 0.453592 \approx 86.18 \text{ kg}$

FAQs About Glulam Weight

1. What is the average density of glulam beams?

Glulam beams typically have a density of 36–40 lbs/ft³ (575–640 kg/m³), depending on the wood species (e.g., Douglas fir, spruce). Always check with your supplier for exact values.

2. How does moisture affect glulam weight?

Glulam is engineered for stability, but excess moisture can increase weight slightly. For precise calculations, use the dry density provided by manufacturers.

3. Why is knowing glulam weight important?

Weight impacts:

Transportation logistics (vehicle load limits).
Structural design (load-bearing capacity).
Cost estimation (shipping and handling fees).

4. How much does a glulam beam weigh per foot?

The weight of a glulam beam per linear foot depends on its cross-sectional dimensions (width × height) and density.

Formula:

$\text{Weight per foot (lbs/ft)} = \text{Width (ft)} \times \text{Height (ft)} \times \text{Density (lbs/ft³)}$

Example Calculation:

For a 3.5″ × 11.875″ glulam beam (standard depth):

Convert inches to feet:

Width = 3.5″ = 0.292 ft
Height = 11.875″ = 0.99 ft

Assume density = 38 lbs/ft³ (typical for softwood glulam):

$0.292 \times 0.99 \times 38 \approx \textbf{10.9 lbs/ft}$

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