I-JOIST BEAM (WOODEN I-BEAM)

I-Joist beam, also commonly known as wooden I-beam, is a type of engineered wood product extensively used in residential and commercial construction, particularly for floor, roof, and sometimes wall framing. Their distinctive “I” shape offers significant structural advantages over traditional solid lumber joists, including increased strength, dimensional stability, and lighter weight.

An I-Joist beam typically consists of:

Flanges (top and bottom chords): Made from Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) or Solid Sawn Lumber. The primary function of the flanges is to resist bending stresses. The top flange resists compressive forces, while the bottom flange resists tensile forces when the joist is under load.
Web (vertical middle section): Made from OSB (Oriented Strand Board). In Unigo, we use LVL instead of OSB, that help to increase the bearing capacity. The primary function of the web is to resist shear stresses and to keep the flanges aligned and prevent them from separating.

This composition allows the I-Joist to maintain light weight while delivering high bending and shear strength—ideal for load-bearing applications in floors and roofs.

Specification

Material: high quality LVL
Core: Acacia, Eucalyptus
Glue: WBP or waterproof glue
Depth: 250mm / 300mm
Length: 11000mm / 6600mm / 6000mm / 5400mm / 4800 mm

I-Joists beam

Key Advantages of I-Joists:

Compared to traditional solid lumber joists, I-Joists offer numerous significant advantages:

High strength-to-weight ratio

I-Joists are considerably lighter than solid lumber joists with comparable load-bearing capacity. This leads to easier transportation, handling, and installation, reducing labor costs; reduced dead load on foundations and other structural elements.

Superior dimensional stability

Being an engineered product, I-Joists are less prone to warping, twisting, bowing, or shrinking due to changes in moisture content compared to natural wood. This results in flatter, more stable floors and roofs.

Longer Span Capabilities

For a given depth, I-Joists can typically span longer distances than solid lumber joists. This allows for more open and flexible interior designs with fewer intermediate supports.

Consistent and Precise Dimensions:

I-Joist beams are manufactured to uniform and precise dimensions, simplifying the framing process and ensuring a more consistent and level finished surface.

Ease of Service Installation:

The web material (OSB or plywood) allows for easier and larger pre-punched or field-cut holes for running plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC ductwork without significantly compromising structural integrity (when done according to manufacturer guidelines).

Reduced Natural Wood Defects:

The manufacturing process minimizes or eliminates natural wood defects such as knots, splits, and wanes, leading to a more uniform and reliable product.