I've had similar experiences with LVLs. A few years back, we used them extensively on a townhouse project, especially around large window openings. Everything seemed perfect initially, but after a couple of weeks, one beam developed a noticeable bow. It wasn't severe enough to compromise structural integrity, but it definitely threw off our drywall alignment. Wood's unpredictability is always a factor—no matter how engineered or precise the product claims to be, there's always that slight chance it'll remind us who's really in charge...
"Wood's unpredictability is always a factor—no matter how engineered or precise the product claims to be..."
Couldn't agree more. We had a similar issue on a custom home build last summer, using LVLs for a large span in the living room ceiling. Everything was spot-on at installation, but within a month, slight bowing appeared and threw off our ceiling lines. It wasn't catastrophic, but definitely enough to cause headaches with finishing details. Just goes to show, even engineered lumber can have its quirks...
We had a similar issue on a custom home build last summer, using LVLs for a large span in the living room ceiling.
Interesting point, though in my experience, issues with engineered lumber often come down more to handling or environmental conditions than the material itself. We installed LVLs on a pretty hefty span last year, and I was fully prepared for the worst. But we kept them covered and dry until install, and surprisingly, they stayed dead straight. Makes me wonder if sometimes it's less about wood's "unpredictability" and more about subtle differences in storage or humidity...
That's a fair point, but honestly, I've seen LVLs warp even under ideal conditions. Last spring, we had a batch delivered straight from the supplier—wrapped tight, stored indoors, humidity controlled—and still ended up with noticeable deflection after installation. Sometimes I think it's just luck of the draw with engineered lumber. Sure, proper handling helps a ton, but you can't always predict how it'll behave once it's in place and exposed to real-world conditions. Wood's wood after all...even the engineered stuff has its quirks. I've started factoring in a bit more wiggle room on spans lately, just to save headaches down the road.
Yeah, engineered lumber can definitely throw curveballs sometimes. Have you tried mixing in some traditional lumber alongside LVLs to balance things out? I know budgets can get tight, but maybe there's a creative way to blend materials to offset some of that unpredictability. Or maybe it's worth exploring different suppliers—could quality vary enough between brands to make a noticeable difference? Just thinking out loud here...either way, sounds like you're already adapting pretty well.
