What Is Rubber Glued Laminated Lumber?
Rubber glued laminated lumber is a man-made wood made by reusing trees after they are harvested for their rubber sap, and then gluing them together and forming them.
The grain is often straight, grayish-white, and aesthetically pleasing. It is also somewhat heavier and harder. Compared to solid wood, laminated wood is inferior in terms of beautiful grain and moisture control, but because it is artificially formed, laminated wood is superior in terms of cost and ensures stable quality.
Uses of Rubber Glued Laminated Lumbers
The main uses of rubber glued laminated lumber are table tops, shelves, furniture, molding, and interior materials. Although table tops and furniture are the most common uses for rubber laminated wood in daily life, it is so versatile that it is also used as a building material and interior decoration material.
The fact that it is easy to work and can be easily painted also contributes to its versatility.
However, due to its low durability, it is not suitable for use in buildings. Therefore, it is important to make a detailed comparison and selection of laminated wood material or solid wood depending on the uses of the product.
Principle of Rubber Glued Laminated Lumbers
Rubber-modified lumber is created by joining and gluing fine wood planks into one large piece of lumber. Although its aroma and texture are inferior to those of natural solid wood, it is characterized by its stable quality and excellent workability.
However, due to the use of adhesives, a period of deterioration over time must be considered. However, since laminated wood has not been in circulation for so long, there is no actual market reliability data for decades.
Types of Rubber Glued Laminated Lumber
Glued laminated wood is classified into three main categories based on its uses of: laminated wood for construction, structural laminated wood, and hybrid laminated wood.
1. Construction of Integrated Materials
It is the most visible laminated wood used for tops, furniture, floors, and walls. Rubber glued laminated lumber is also available, as it does not require high durability. Some laminated wood is also available with a thin decorative laminate attached to the surface to add aesthetic appeal. Since it is easily available at home centers, this type of laminated wood is often used for DIY projects.
2. Structural Laminated Wood
This glued laminated wood is used in applications where large loads are applied, such as columns, walls, and beams of buildings. Rubber glued laminated lumber is not suitable because of its durability and high strength requirements.
3. Hybrid Laminated Wood
Hybrid glued laminated timber is a glued laminated timber that has been reinforced by incorporating steel into the interior of the laminated timber. Hybrid glued laminated timber is expected to be effective in preventing the collapse of buildings in the event of a fire, and the use of hybrid glued laminated timber makes it possible to build up to four stories.
In consideration of the environmental issues of the recent SDGs, architectural manufacturers are now developing hybrid glued laminated timber, which has a human-friendly appearance, superior design and construction method, and excellent fire and earthquake resistance characteristics.
Other Information on Rubber Glued Laminated Lumber
1. Precautions for Painting Rubber Glued Laminated Lumber
Rubber glued laminated lumber is a relatively easy material to work with, but care must be taken when painting. As the name suggests, laminated wood is not a single board, but a collection of smaller pieces of lumber that are glued together to form a board. The surface of the laminated wood is therefore characterized by joints between the original pieces of lumber.
Especially in the case of rubber glued laminated lumber, the use of coloring agents that do not contain “body pigments,” which are added to increase the volume of the paint and reinforce it, can cause blowback. It is also important to dry the paint quickly to prevent discoloration of the black color due to moisture.
2. The Environment in Which Rubber Glued Laminated Lumber Is Used
Rubber glued laminated lumber is known to have low decay resistance, but unless the environment is very humid, this is not a problem, as the lumber is actually used in commercial furniture and millwork. Nevertheless, this should be kept in mind when using the lumber in harsh, high-humidity environments.
In addition, there are many cases, not limited to rubber glued laminated lumber, where glued laminated lumber with a white hue changes to a candy color over time due to direct sunlight. Therefore, if you prefer the glossy, unctuous white color and grain of rubber glued laminated lumber, you should be aware of the aging effects of direct sunlight.