LVL Products: Standards EU and UK
The UK has adopted the same EU standards for using plywood panels in construction and continues to accept the CE mark until January 2023.
LVL is classified is two ways – for structural applications similar to glued laminated timber; or as a product for general construction in non-loadbearing situations.
Structural
- (BS) EN 14374: Timber structures – Structural laminated veneer lumber – Requirements.
- For loadbearing applications, buildings and bridges, see APA’s guide here.
Product
- Non-structural applications: (BS) EN 14279: Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) – Definitions, classification and specifications
Specific end use applications: check here for our easy-to-use guide which tells you which standard you need to comply with specific performance characteristics and applications.
Durability issues: For maximum durability, both Service Classes and Use Classes must be considered when specifying US wood-based panels. Specific LVL Use Classes in (BS) EN 335:2013 will be available when the current review of LVL standards is completed. Currently, Use Classes 1, 2 and 3 for plywood, are also applicable for LVL. See APA’s guide.
Guidance on factors affecting durability can also be found in DD CEN/TS 1099. Also see plywood Use Class definitions in (BS) EN 636:2012+A1:2015.
Other useful standards:
- (BS) EN 314-2: Plywood – Bond Quality – Requirements
- (BS) EN 717-1, (BS) EN 717-2 and (BS)EN ISO 12460-3: Wood-based Panels – Determination of Formaldehyde Release
- (BS) EN 789: Timber structures – Test methods – Determination of mechanical properties of wood-based panels
- (BS) EN 1058 : Wood-based panels – Determination of characteristic 5 percentile values and characteristic mean value.
- The characteristic values of the mechanical properties are determined according to (BS) EN 1058 (expressing results) with (BS) EN 789 (defining test results) or (BS) EN 14374.
