laminated strand lumber

[vavet]

Who can tell me about LSL?
I have the opportunity to own about 8 sheets of 4x12 LSL, about 1-1/8" thick for free.

It's heavy. It's an odd size.


My utility trailer needs to be redecked. How does it hold up to constant weather exposure?
I'm thinking I will just cut into 3.5" or 5.5" wide boards and use it in lieu of 2x4 or 2x6 for shop fixtures, shop furniture, etc. If I can use it for the trailer, that will consume a portion of it, but I will still have a bit left.

 

[Provincial]

There should be markings on it to indicate the properties. I believe most everything now is made with exterior glue, but using it on the trailer without verifying that is risky.

Due to its nature, LSL has a lot of end-grain exposed, and that can lead to moisture absorption/ Any exterior project needs to be sealed with a protective coating/paint.

If it weren't free, I wouldn't use LSL for an exterior project. Even then I would be leery. The surface layer may not hold up to the beating a trailer deck takes from scrapes and concentrated loads that seem to happen no matter how careful you are. The greater thickness of 2x material would be better for a trailer deck as the deflection of the thinner LSL will be greater for a given load/span.

Think of LSL as a stronger plywood. Because all the layers are laminated/jointed wood, there is no junky spacer material and the whole sheet is fully structural. 1-1/8 thickness is about the same as subfloor decking, so it could make good bench tops, especially if glued into double thickness.

 

[Lelandwelds]

There should be markings on it to indicate the properties. I believe most everything now is made with exterior glue, but using it on the trailer without verifying that is risky.

Due to its nature, LSL has a lot of end-grain exposed, and that can lead to moisture absorption/ Any exterior project needs to be sealed with a protective coating/paint.

If it weren't free, I wouldn't use LSL for an exterior project. Even then I would be leery. The surface layer may not hold up to the beating a trailer deck takes from scrapes and concentrated loads that seem to happen no matter how careful you are. The greater thickness of 2x material would be better for a trailer deck as the deflection of the thinner LSL will be greater for a given load/span.

Think of LSL as a stronger plywood. Because all the layers are laminated/jointed wood, there is no junky spacer material and the whole sheet is fully structural. 1-1/8 thickness is about the same as subfloor decking, so it could make good bench tops, especially if glued into double thickness.

Would make an awesome work bench. A builder/artist ran some through a thickness planer. It made the coolest stair treads. Looked like an exotic wood like black palm crossed with Zebra wood. I know he used a stain that penetrated unevenly and then ran it through the planer again.

Like I said, artist.

 

[steel 35]

It fits perfect in my pallet racks.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Due to its nature, LSL has a lot of end-grain exposed, and that can lead to moisture absorption/ Any exterior project needs to be sealed with a protective coating/paint.

I would bet it does NOT use a true waterproof glue. Even exterior grade plywood only uses "water resistant" glue.

 

[archtimb]

If it is 1-1/8" thick, it is rim joist material, and not the same as LSL structural beams. You may find it is not as strong since it is made to be in compression only. I would not advise use on a trailer.

 

[BukitCase]

Hard to beat the price... I too would limit it to INDOOR use, but free's free - even if you don't have 12' ceilings, storing it ALL would only use about 10 square feet of floor space (leaned up against a wall) - if all else fails, you could STILL use it as TRADING stock for something that AIN'T free :=) ...Steve

 

[hichamaziz]

I believe most everything now is made with exterior glue

 

[Lelandwelds]

I believe most everything now is made with exterior glue

It depends on the mfg. I have some Huber sub floor you could build an aquarium or boat from.

 

[Retroman]

We use it for forming concrete slabs with a turn down footing. Holds up great can't tell you how long it lasts as our guys always seem to cut it into small pieces then it gets tossed.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Who can tell me about LSL?
I have the opportunity to own about 8 sheets of 4x12 LSL, about 1-1/8" thick for free.

It's heavy. It's an odd size.

This is a new one for me...normally LSL is beams and OSB is sheets. I've used 1-1/8" T&G OSB on floors, but in the 'normal' 4'x8' dimensions. I've never seen 4'x12' sheets...those would be really heavy!

 

[vavet]

They are really heavy....and they’re not truly 4 foot wide, closer to 42inches....and they are no longer 12 foot long. I cut them into approx 6 foot pieces so I could handle them myself...and because my trailer is only 10feet long. I decided I’ll just keep them until I have a need for them, probably for some shop fixture, but not use them on my trailer.