By Eurodita Editorial Team, Eurodita Catalog Manager | Last updated: April 2026
EU timber documentation, EUDR timing and building-energy frameworks make specification discipline important for dealers and specifiers. This guide compares engineered glulam and solid-log construction using project-specific review language rather than universal compliance, carbon, fire-rating or U-value claims.
Why Specifiers Compare Glulam and Solid Log
Specifiers compare glulam with solid log when a project needs wider spans, tighter dimensional stability, complex geometry or a documented review route. Solid log remains suitable for many garden, leisure, accommodation and catalogue buildings where the brief is simpler and cost-sensitive.
Embodied-carbon comparisons require product-specific EPDs or a project life-cycle assessment. Eurodita should not be presented as having a universal carbon-saving percentage for every glulam or solid-log design.
Technical Comparison, Glulam vs Solid Log
Thermal Performance
| Route | Typical Eurodita wall profiles | How to present performance |
|---|---|---|
| Solid log | 28mm, 35mm, 44mm, 58mm and 70mm log-cabin walls, with 19mm sheds handled separately | Use for garden, leisure and many catalogue briefs; final U-values depend on the full wall, roof, floor, glazing, insulation and installation package. |
| Glulam | 88mm, 135mm, 180mm and 220mm public glulam wall routes | Use where engineered stability, heavier-duty briefs or project documentation matter; final thermal values remain project-specific. |
| Twin-skin | 44-100-44, 188mm total, is the standard Eurodita reference | Use as a stronger envelope route, with U-values confirmed from the selected insulation depth and complete build-up. |
Fire Performance (Eurocode 5 EN 1995-1-2)
Timber fire behaviour is normally reviewed through the selected section size, wall or frame build-up, openings, protective layers and destination-market approval route.
- Glulam fire design: assessed through project-specific Eurocode 5 fire design, section sizing, and destination-market requirements
- Higher fire-resistance targets: require project-specific engineering review, assembly build-up review, and local approval where applicable
- Solid log fire design: depends on wall profile, protective layers, openings, and the required building-control route
Structural Span
Glulam can be considered where the brief needs engineered spans, dimensional stability, complex roof geometry or heavier-duty review. Final member sizes, grade references, connections and any span claim must be checked by the appointed designer or engineer for the destination market.
When to Choose Glulam vs Solid Log
| Project Type | Verdict | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Single-storey garden building, holiday retreat | Solid Log | Often selected for simpler spans and cost-sensitive specifications; fire requirements must be checked per project |
| Urban multi-storey residential | Glulam | Often selected where structural spans, energy targets, and documented fire design need project-level engineering |
| Adaptive reuse, heritage extensions | Glulam | Useful where constrained post spacing and complex geometry require engineered timber design |
| Commercial or wider-span briefs | Glulam | Consider where engineered timber sections and appointed-professional review are part of the project scope |
EU Regulatory Context 2026
Glulam Documentation Context
Eurodita glulam uses engineered laminated spruce. Destination-market marking, documentation and review requirements are confirmed per project; Eurodita does not present products as CE- or UKCA-marked as a blanket capability.
EN 1995 / Eurocode 5, Design Framework
Eurocode 5 can be relevant where the appointed engineer reviews load-bearing timber structures, spans, service class, connections and fire design. Eurodita supplies project technical data for review, while final destination-market sign-off remains with the appointed professional or authority.
EUDR Documentation Context
EUDR timing and obligations depend on the operator role, product route and destination market. Eurodita can support timber-sourcing documentation per order, while the party placing goods on the EU market confirms its own due-diligence and filing responsibilities.
Eurodita support context: Eurodita uses FSC-certified northern European spruce. Available sourcing and order documentation can support dealer due diligence, with exact EUDR dataset scope confirmed per order.
Eurodita Glulam Manufacturing
- Facility: Kaunas, Lithuania, 5,000 m² factory floor; 12,000+ standard cabins yearly across Eurodita catalogue production
- Feedstock: FSC-certified northern European spruce, with grade and specification confirmed per order
- Glulam wall-profile routes: 88mm, 135mm, 180mm and 220mm, with exact sections confirmed per quote
- Adhesive and manufacturing route: specified per engineered order and documentation requirement
- CNC manufacturing tolerance: confirmed in project technical data where required
- Destination-market documentation: scoped per order, with no blanket CE, UKCA or DoP promise
- Lead time: confirmed per bespoke or glulam quote, because design, documentation and logistics vary by project
- Warranty: 10-year anti-rot warranty for eligible timber components, with project terms confirmed in the quote
- Quote-based orders: prototype or sample scopes are discussed case by case
3 B2B Models for Glulam
Model 1: Developer Direct (Build-to-Rent)
Conceptual design leads into Eurodita pre-design review, followed by scoped structural documentation and manufacturing quotation where the project fits the production programme. Dealer pricing, engineering fees, margins, and minimum-volume terms are confirmed individually in the commercial agreement.
Model 2: Architect Specification
Architects or developers can provide drawings and performance requirements for Eurodita pre-quote review. Eurodita does not publish universal engineer-liaison fees, architect commissions or DoP promises; documentation scope and commercial terms are confirmed in the project agreement.
Model 3: Dealer/Distributor Channel
Dealer margin structure depends on product mix, volume, territory, service scope, and the signed commercial agreement. Eurodita confirms partner pricing and territory terms individually rather than publishing universal margin promises.
Cost-Per-m² Breakdown (200m² residential frame)
| Quote factor | Solid-log route | Glulam route |
|---|---|---|
| Wall and structural scope | Usually simpler catalogue or bespoke wall package | Often quote-led where engineered sections, spans or documentation are needed |
| Design and review | Confirmed against the intended use and local review route | May require appointed-engineer, designer or authority review in the destination market |
| Dealer pricing | Confirmed individually in the commercial agreement | Confirmed individually in the commercial agreement |
| Delivery and logistics | Quoted from the agreed EXW baseline or arranged delivered option | Quoted from the agreed EXW baseline or arranged delivered option |
Cost position: Glulam is quote-led and normally sits above solid-log construction because it supports engineered sections, wider-span briefs and more demanding project documentation. Any floor-area, site-labour, carbon or certification value must be assessed per project, not presented as a universal saving or bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between glulam and solid log construction?
Solid log construction uses profiled spruce wall logs, while glulam uses engineered laminated spruce elements for structural applications. Glulam can support wider spans and more demanding engineering briefs, but final span, fire performance, thermal result, and cost position depend on the project design, wall build-up, and destination-market requirements.
How should fire performance be reviewed for Eurodita glulam projects?
Fire performance is not a blanket product claim. It must be calculated for the specific section, wall or frame build-up, openings, protective layers, and destination-market approval route. Eurodita can scope project-specific fire-design documentation where required.
How does Eurocode 5 fit into glulam project review?
Eurocode 5 is a timber design framework used by appointed engineers where the project requires it. Eurodita can provide project technical data for review, but destination-market sign-off may require a local structural engineer or authority.
What’s the U-value of Eurodita glulam homes?
For Eurodita twin-skin specifications, use the verified 44-100-44 wall assembly, 188mm total. U-values are project-specific and depend on insulation, glazing, airtightness and project detailing.
Can Eurodita supply glulam to architects for custom designs?
Yes, through the B2B project route. Eurodita does not invoice end-customers directly. Initial bespoke quotation inputs are normally handled within 1-2 working hours during business hours when the brief is clear; deeper engineered glulam documentation is scoped per project.
What’s the order scope for glulam homes?
Quote-based orders. Initial-order projects can be discussed for sample or prototype designs. Dealer pricing and discount tiers are confirmed individually in the commercial agreement.
How long is the lead time for custom glulam design?
Glulam timing is confirmed per quote. Bespoke and glulam projects can take longer than standard catalogue cabins because design review, documentation scope, production planning and logistics vary by project.
Does Eurodita provide technical data for dealer, client or local-authority review?
Project-specific technical data can be scoped for engineered orders. Destination-market sign-off may require a local structural engineer, designer or authority, depending on the use case and market.
What about EUDR compliance for timber sourcing?
FSC-certified northern European spruce can be supported with available sourcing records. Eurodita can assist dealer due diligence, while any Due Diligence Statement is filed by the operator placing goods on the EU market.
Can I private-label glulam homes for my brand?
Yes. White-label options can be discussed with qualified dealer partners: custom branding on crates, project documentation scope per destination market, and dealer-branded specification sheets where applicable. Commercial terms are confirmed per order.
What margin can glulam dealers achieve?
Dealer margin depends on volume, product mix, territory, and the agreed partner terms. Eurodita confirms the commercial structure directly with each qualified dealer.
Start Your Glulam Partnership
Eurodita supplies 98+ active B2B partners across 25+ countries with project-scoped glulam documentation. Sample project scope and pre-quote design review are confirmed per quote.
- Glulam B2B Supply program
- German glulam distributor case study
- Dealer economics deep dive
- Request technical spec sheet + dealer terms
For project-specific procurement, dealers should confirm intended use, wall profile, structural review route, thermal review route, delivery terms and local approval requirements before quoting.