Understanding the production timeline for a glulam house is essential for B2B dealers managing customer expectations and project schedules. From initial design brief to delivery on site, the process involves multiple stages, each with specific timeframes and quality checkpoints. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the production process at UAB Eurodita, enabling dealers to communicate realistic timelines and manage their order pipeline effectively.
What Does the Glulam House Production Process Involve?
The production of a glulam house is a multi-stage process that transforms raw Nordic spruce into a precision-engineered, flat-packed building kit ready for on-site assembly. The total timeline from confirmed order to delivery typically ranges from 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design, the current production schedule, and logistical factors.
The process divides into five main phases: design and engineering, timber preparation, manufacturing, quality control, and packing and logistics. Each phase has specific deliverables and quality checkpoints that ensure the final product meets the agreed specification.
How Does the Design and Engineering Phase Work?
Duration: 2–3 weeks
The design phase begins when the dealer submits a confirmed order with a design brief. This brief may range from a simple sketch with dimensions to a complete architectural drawing set. Eurodita’s engineering team processes the brief through the following stages:
- Structural calculations: Engineers verify that the specified wall thickness, roof structure, and foundation requirements are adequate for the intended location and use.
- 3D modelling: A complete 3D model of the building is created, enabling visual verification and clash detection before production begins.
- Production drawings: Detailed drawings are generated for each wall panel, roof element, and connection detail. These drawings drive the CNC cutting process.
- Customer approval: The dealer receives production drawings for review and approval before manufacturing begins. This is the final opportunity to make design changes without schedule impact.
Dealers should allow 2–3 weeks for this phase and ensure that customer feedback on production drawings is provided promptly to avoid delays.
What Happens During Timber Preparation?
Duration: 1–2 weeks
While engineering work proceeds, the timber preparation phase begins in parallel:
- Timber selection: Nordic spruce is selected from stock based on the structural grade required for the project (typically C24 or better for lamellae).
- Kiln drying: Nardi kilns (Italy) reduce the moisture content to 12% (+/- 2%). This process takes 7–14 days depending on the initial moisture content and the dimensions of the timber.
- Grading and sorting: Each piece of timber is visually and mechanically graded to confirm it meets the required structural specification. Pieces with excessive defects are rejected or downgraded.
- Conditioning: After kiln drying, timber is conditioned in a controlled environment to allow moisture content to stabilise before lamination.
The kiln drying stage is critical for glulam quality. Insufficient drying leads to adhesive bond failure, while over-drying causes brittleness. Eurodita’s Nardi kilns provide precise temperature and humidity control throughout the drying cycle.
How Are Glulam Elements Manufactured?
Duration: 2–3 weeks
The manufacturing phase transforms prepared timber into finished glulam elements:
- Lamella preparation: Timber is planed to exact thickness and width. End joints (finger joints) are cut and bonded to create full-length lamellae.
- Adhesive application: Structural adhesive (typically melamine or polyurethane-based) is applied to the lamella surfaces using automated applicators that ensure consistent coverage.
- Pressing: Lamellae are stacked in the correct order and placed in hydraulic presses. Pressing maintains consistent pressure during the adhesive curing period (typically 4–8 hours depending on the adhesive system).
- Profiling: After curing, the glulam blanks are planed to their final profile dimensions and surface finish.
- CNC cutting: Hundegger (Germany) and Auer (Austria) CNC machines cut each element to the exact dimensions specified in the production drawings. This includes wall profiles, joint cuts, window and door openings, service channels, and connection details.
CNC manufacturing is the defining quality advantage of modern glulam production. Each cut is accurate to within ±2mm, ensuring that all elements fit together precisely on site without manual adjustment. For more on Eurodita’s manufacturing capabilities, see the manufacturing innovation overview.
What Quality Control Steps Are Applied?
Quality control is integrated throughout the production process rather than applied as a final check. Key QC stages include:
- Moisture testing: Each batch of lamellae is tested using calibrated moisture meters before and after kiln drying. Results are recorded and traceable to the finished product.
- Bond integrity testing: Adhesive bonds are tested by delamination testing (per EN 14080) on sample pieces from each production run. Any batch failing the delamination test is rejected.
- Dimensional checks: CNC-cut elements are measured against production drawings to verify accuracy. Tolerances are typically +/- 1mm for length and width, +/- 0.5mm for profile dimensions.
- Surface inspection: Visual inspection of all exposed surfaces for planing defects, adhesive squeeze-out, and surface damage. Elements are marked for rework or rejection as appropriate.
Eurodita’s quality assurance programme ensures that every element leaving the factory meets the agreed specification. This approach reduces on-site problems and protects the dealer’s reputation with their customers.
How is Packing and Logistics Managed?
Duration: 1 week
The final production phase prepares the building kit for transport:
- Assembly planning: Elements are organised in the sequence they will be needed on site, reducing handling time and confusion during construction.
- Protective wrapping: Each element is wrapped in protective film to prevent moisture damage and surface scratches during transport.
- Pallet loading: Elements are loaded onto pallets or into containers, secured with strapping, and protected with weatherproof covers.
- Documentation: A detailed packing list, assembly instructions, and transport documents accompany each shipment.
Transport to most European destinations takes 3–7 working days by road freight. UK deliveries typically require 5–7 working days including channel crossing arrangements.
What is the Total Lead Time?
The total lead time from confirmed order to delivery on site is typically 6–10 weeks, broken down as follows:
| Phase | Duration | Key Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Design and engineering | 2–3 weeks | Approved production drawings |
| Timber preparation | 1–2 weeks (parallel) | Kiln-dried, graded lamellae |
| Manufacturing | 2–3 weeks | CNC-cut glulam elements |
| Quality control | Ongoing (integrated) | Test certificates and inspection reports |
| Packing and logistics | 1 week | Loaded, documented shipment |
| Transport | 3–7 days | Delivery to site |
Factors that can extend the lead time include:
- Complex bespoke designs requiring additional engineering time.
- Design changes after production drawing approval.
- Seasonal production peaks (typically March–June for European deliveries).
- Customs or transport disruptions affecting delivery schedules.
Dealers should communicate a realistic 8–10 week timeline for standard projects and 10–12 weeks for complex bespoke designs. Under-promising and over-delivering on timelines is always preferable to the reverse.
How Can Dealers Manage Customer Expectations?
Effective timeline communication is one of the most important factors in customer satisfaction for bespoke timber buildings. Dealers should implement the following practices:
- Upfront timeline: Provide a written production timeline at order confirmation, broken down by phase with expected completion dates.
- Milestone updates: Send brief updates at key milestones (drawing approval, manufacturing start, manufacturing complete, dispatch).
- Photo documentation: Eurodita provides production photographs on request, which dealers can forward to customers as evidence of progress.
- Delivery coordination: Coordinate the delivery date with the customer’s site preparation schedule to ensure the foundation and access are ready when the building kit arrives.
For dealers ordering from Eurodita’s bespoke range, a dedicated project coordinator is assigned to each order, providing a single point of contact for timeline queries and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the production timeline be expedited?
In some cases, production can be accelerated by 1–2 weeks if the design uses standard profiles and the production schedule has available capacity. Expedited orders should be discussed with the partner management team at the enquiry stage.
What happens if a design change is needed after manufacturing starts?
Minor changes (such as moving a window opening by 100mm) can sometimes be accommodated without schedule impact. Major changes (such as altering the wall thickness or building footprint) will typically require a return to the engineering phase and may reset the production timeline. This is why thorough review of production drawings before approval is critical.
Does Eurodita handle the transport or is that the dealer’s responsibility?
Eurodita can arrange transport to most European and UK destinations as part of the order. Alternatively, dealers can arrange their own transport if they have preferred carriers or logistical requirements. Transport costs are quoted separately from the building kit.
What documentation is provided with the delivery?
Each delivery includes a detailed packing list (itemising every element), assembly instructions with drawings, structural certificates, and timber treatment certificates. For CE-marked products, a Declaration of Performance is also provided.
How should the building kit be stored on site before assembly?
The building kit should be stored on level ground, raised on bearers to prevent ground contact, and kept covered with the protective wrapping until assembly begins. Ideally, assembly should commence within 2 weeks of delivery to minimise the risk of moisture uptake or UV damage to exposed surfaces.
For production timeline enquiries or to discuss project scheduling, contact the Eurodita partner team.
