Glulam beams are now one of the most specified structural timber products in the UK — and demand is growing. Used in residential extensions, self-builds, barn conversions, commercial buildings and architectural projects, glulam offers a combination of structural strength, dimensional stability and a natural timber finish that few other materials can match.

At Dunscar Timber Engineering, we supply and manufacture glulam beams from our Bolton workshop, including bespoke sections and curved glulam beams made to suit individual project requirements. We supply builders, contractors, structural engineers and architects across Bolton, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and the wider North West.

This guide explains what Glulam beams are, where they are used, and when a bespoke or curved beam may be the right solution for your project.

 

What Are Glulam Beams?

Glulam stands for glued laminated timber. It is made by bonding multiple layers of structural timber together using high-strength adhesive, with the grain of each layer running in the same direction.

The result is a strong, stable and consistent structural beam that outperforms solid timber of the same size in most structural applications. Because glulam is manufactured in layers, it can be produced in large sections and long lengths — making it ideal where strength, reliability and appearance all matter.

 

Where Are Glulam Beams Used?

Glulam beams are used across a wide range of building projects, including:

• Residential extensions and self-builds
• Ridge beams, purlins and floor beams
• Exposed feature beams in open-plan spaces
• Barn conversions requiring large span structural beams
• Oak frame style buildings where glulam provides a cost-effective alternative to oak
• Commercial and agricultural buildings — portal frames and roof structures
• Curved beams, arches and architectural features

Because glulam can be left exposed and finished, it works both structurally and visually. It is a popular choice wherever the beam needs to perform structurally while still looking good within the finished building.

Glulam Beam Availability

We supply a range of glulam beams for structural timber projects, including standard sections and bespoke beams manufactured to suit specific requirements.

Every project is different, and the correct beam size will depend on the span, loading, structural design and how the beam is being used. If you already have drawings or structural calculations, we can use these to provide a quotation.

If you are not sure what size you need, our team can advise and work from the information provided by your builder, architect or structural engineer.

Need help with glulam beams for your project? Send us your drawings or beam specification and we’ll be happy to provide a free quotation.

 

Bespoke Glulam Beams

Standard glulam beams suit many projects, but some builds require something more specific. This is where working with a specialist manufacturer rather than a builders’ merchant can make a real difference.

We can manufacture bespoke glulam beams to suit individual specifications, including larger or non-standard sections. Where a single beam would be too large to produce in one piece, sections can be mechanically bolted together to achieve the required structural design — a fully engineered solution for demanding applications.

We recently completed a set of oversized bolted glulam beams for a client where the dimensions required went beyond anything available off the shelf. The beams were designed, manufactured and delivered from our Bolton workshop to suit the project specification exactly.

If your project calls for something non-standard, get in touch and we’ll work out the best solution.

 

Curved Glulam Beams

One of the biggest structural and aesthetic advantages of glulam is that it can be manufactured into curved beams and arches. Because the timber is built up in thin layers before the adhesive sets, it can be formed over a curved jig to create structural curves that would be difficult or wasteful to produce from solid timber.

• Garden rooms and orangeries with vaulted roofs
• Entrance features and covered walkways
• Exposed roof arches in open-plan living spaces
• Architectural roof structures for commercial buildings

We manufacture curved glulam beams in our Bolton workshop, with each beam produced to the radius, size and specification required by the project.

Why Choose Glulam Instead of Steel or Solid Timber?

Glulam is frequently considered as an alternative to both steel and solid timber. Here is how it compares:

Glulam vs steel: Glulam is lighter, warmer in appearance and preferred where the beam will be left exposed. It gives a natural finish that suits homes, barn conversions and architectural projects where aesthetics are as important as structural performance.

Glulam vs solid timber: Glulam is stronger, more stable and available in much larger sections. Large solid timber beams can be difficult to source and are more prone to movement, shrinkage or splitting over time. Glulam gives the look and feel of natural timber with significantly better structural performance.

Plan Your Glulam Beams Early