Effects of High Temperature on Glulaminated Columns

Long time readers have gotten accustomed to all sorts of interesting questions posed by Hansen Pole Buildings’ clients. Building Designer Rachel had a brand new one come up just this week:

”But what you don’t address, and what would be needed to convince me, are glue statistics. Humans have created some incredibly strong and effective glues. Not the least of which is hide glue, but that is temperature sensitive, and I want to build a barn in FL. I’ve dealt with epoxies, poly glues, any you can imagine.”

Now I have spent time in every U.S. state, as well as having provided multiple (usually hundreds and in one case thousands) buildings in each of them. Whilst Florida is warm, it does not compare to some locales we have buildings in (think Las Vegas, Pahrump or other Nevada desert locations). Issues with glue for Glulaminated columns and extreme heat to date, total zero. However, we have a client looking for statistical evidence, so I reached out to our fabricator.

Richland Laminated Columns (www.RichlandColumns.com) has produced roughly a half-million board feet of glulaminated columns for Hansen Pole Buildings since we went to 100% glulam roof supporting columns in mid-2024. Always striving to be several steps ahead of everyone else, all of our columns are fabricated from 2400f msr (Machine Stress Rated) lumber, making them 45% or more stronger than any competing columns.

From Richland’s Quality Control Coordinator:

“We perform daily Delamination tests to determine the quality of our posts.

Vacuum cycle (30 min)

Pressure cycle (120 min)

Oven cycle (12-15 hours @ 160F)

At the end of these 3 cycles delamination is graded. This vac/press/oven cycle is designed to stress the adhesive by making the wood swell as much as possible as fast as possible (vac/press). Then shrink the wood as fast as possible (oven). A post will never experience that type of intense, fast stress in the real world.

The adhesive also goes through ASTD1183D cycle during its certification testing.

48 hours @ 160F oven

48 hours @ 74F salt water soak

8 hours @ -57F freezer

64 hours @ 74F salt water soak

This process is repeated 3x on the same sample. Then the strength of the bond is graded and needs to match or be better than solid wood.

The adhesive is also put through multiple other tests including being exposed to steam, numerous other water soaks, high temps, and even fire. Bottom line is the adhesive is expected to be stronger/ more durable than the wood itself.”

While our client in Florida may have some warm days, 160 degrees F., for 48 hours is honestly never going to happen.

When it comes to YOUR new post-frame building, will anything less than America’s STRONGEST design solution suffice? For “The Ultimate Post-Frame Building Experience”™ call 1.866.200.9657 today.