40 Hour Property and Building Inspection Practice Test

What is an engineered wood product commonly used for beams?

1. Plywood

2. OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

3. Glue-Laminated Lumber (Glulam)

4. Particle board

The correct answer is: Glue-Laminated Lumber (Glulam)

Engineered wood products are designed to enhance strength, stability, and versatility in construction. Glue-laminated lumber, commonly known as Glulam, stands out as a widely used engineered wood product specifically designed for applications requiring structural support, such as beams. Glulam is created by bonding together layers of wood, which can often be made from lower-grade timber. This process results in a product that is both strong and flexible, allowing it to carry significant loads over long spans. The manufacturing process allows for the creation of curved and custom-shaped beams that can be tailored to meet specific structural requirements. Plywood, OSB, and particle board, while useful in various applications, do not provide the same level of structural performance as Glulam when used as beams. Plywood is primarily designed for sheathing and surfaces, OSB is often used for flooring and wall sheathing owing to its structural properties, and particle board is generally suited for furniture and cabinetry due to less strength compared to lumber products. Hence, for structural beam applications, Glulam is the most appropriate engineered wood choice, which is why it is recognized as the correct answer.