Glulam: The sustainable choice
At Keir Landscaping and Structures (KLS), we're passionate about using Glulam, and it's easy to see why. This innovative engineered wood product is revolutionising the construction industry by offering a blend of strength, durability, and sustainability.
What is Glulam?
Glulam, short for glued laminated timber, is crafted by bonding layers of kiln-dried, structural-grade timber with strong adhesives. The result? A material that not only matches but often exceeds the strength-to-weight ratios of steel, offering more versatility than traditional timber.
The Advantages of Glulam
Why are we such fans of Glulam? For starters, it's incredibly strong yet lightweight, making it perfect for a variety of projects—from bridges to boardwalks. It's designed to withstand environmental stresses, ensuring our structures are built to last. Plus, Glulam is made from renewable resources and has a much smaller carbon footprint than steel or concrete. By choosing Glulam, we’re not just building beautiful structures; we’re also investing in a more sustainable future for our planet.
Glulam in Action
As New Zealand's leading Glulam manufacturer, we're proud to partner with Techlam NZ for all our Glulam needs. Their expertise and quality products have been key in projects like the Te Awa Cycleway Truss Bridge. This remarkable 32-metre bridge is part of the 65km Te Awa River Ride, spanning the Mangaonua stream more than 8 metres above ground. The project highlighted Glulam's versatility and strength. Techlam provided prefabricated Glulam members and custom steel hardware, allowing our team at KLS to efficiently install them on-site. Using Glulam was essential in meeting the project's sustainability goals while overcoming the logistical challenges of the site. Thanks to its lighter weight compared to traditional materials, we could transport the Glulam components by helicopter to this hard-to-reach location.
From its eco-friendly credentials to its impressive strength-to-weight ratio, Glulam is truly a game-changer in construction. It allows us to create stunning, durable structures while minimising our environmental impact. The Te Awa Cycleway Truss Bridge stands as a testament to Glulam's ability to blend modern infrastructure with nature, providing a world-class recreation experience for all to enjoy2. That's what we call a win-win situation in the construction world.
