As a leading supplier of glulaminated timber beams and posts in New Zealand, Prolam are dedicated to simplifying construction with smart structural solutions that provide design flexibility and ease of installation. Their latest development — the Prolam PLX20 — is no exception, offering a lightweight alternative to steel or flitch beams with excellent spanning capability.

Prolam PLX20 Beams are made of New Zealand pine radiata timber with steel inserts on the top and bottom laminates to increase strength and spanning capability. The beams are designed for garage doors, lintels, floor or ridge beams in any project where a strong and lightweight solution is required.

Span further with smaller members

The steel inserts of the Prolam PLX20 Beams work to provide greater strength and spanning capability. When specifying Prolam PLX20, designers can achieve spans of up to 6.6m, depending on wind zone and load requirements — a significant improvement on traditional timber beams.

Lightweight and easy to install

The steel reinforced structure of Prolam PLX20 Beams uses minimal steel to offer a more sustainable option for garage doors and lintels. The lightweight beams reduce weight by up to 40% compared to traditional steel alternatives. The beams are easy to cut and install, and the light weight ensures faster installation with fewer builders — resulting in cost savings on site.

Easy to specify thanks to the Prolam Specifier

To make specification easy, Prolam has developed the Prolam Specifier — an online tool that assists architects in specifying the right Prolam solution to exceed the span and loaded dimension requirements of NZS3604, and even generates a PS1 for council compliance.

A strong reliable option for your project

Prolam PLX20 Beams are laminated to ensure less deflection and timber warping over time. The beams are prefabricated and readily available from Prolam’s Nelson factory, making them an easy choice for keeping projects on track.

Want to learn more?

Get in touch with the Prolam team to discuss your project requirements or request a sample.