Is glulam stronger than solid log?

Yes. Glulam (glued laminated timber) is approximately 70% stronger than solid log of equivalent cross-section due to the lamination process, which distributes and counteracts natural defects across multiple layers. Glulam also shows no settling and minimal dimensional movement.

Does solid log settling cause problems?

Solid log walls can settle up to 10% vertically over 2–3 years as timber dries and compresses. This requires settling gaps above door and window frames, and flexible connections for electrical and plumbing services. Glulam eliminates settling entirely due to its engineered stability.

Which is better for year-round use — glulam or solid log?

Glulam is generally better for year-round use. A 140mm glulam wall achieves a U-value of approximately 0.35–0.45 W/m²K, whereas solid log of equivalent thickness performs worse due to moisture movement and joint gaps. For year-round year-round year use, 140mm+ glulam with appropriate floor and roof insulation is the recommended specification.

What does glulam cost compared to solid log?

Glulam typically costs 60–120% more than equivalent solid log at the same wall thickness. However, glulam achieves better structural performance at lower wall thickness, so comparison should be made on thermal and structural specification, not thickness alone. Glulam also commands higher retail prices and better dealer margins.

Glulam vs Traditional Log Cabins: A Dealer's Technical Guide (2026) - Eurodita: The Manufacturer Trusted by Timber Industry Leaders

Glulam (glued laminated timber) and traditional solid log construction differ in structural performance, dimensional stability, and price point. Glulam offers approximately 70% greater structural strength than equivalent solid log, zero settling, and longer clear spans, making it preferred for residential and commercial applications. Traditional solid log costs 15–25% less at point of purchase but requires settling allowances of up to 10% over 2–3 years.

Glulam logs cross-laminated wall section — showing engineered precision vs solid timber

What Is Glulam Timber? (Definition)

Glulam (glued laminated timber) is an engineered wood product that delivers approximately 70% greater structural strength than equivalent solid log construction, with zero settling over its lifespan. Traditional solid log cabins cost 15–25% less at purchase but require settling allowances of up to 10% over 2–3 years, making glulam the preferred choice for residential and commercial builds requiring spans over 5 metres.

What Is Traditional Solid Log Construction?

Feature	Traditional Solid Log	Glulam (Engineered Timber)
Wall Thickness Range	19–70 mm	70–220 mm
Structural Strength	Standard (natural timber grade)	~70% stronger than equivalent solid log
Settling	Up to 10% over 2–3 years	Zero settling (dimensionally stable)
Thermal Performance (U-value, 70 mm)	~1.8 W/m²K (uninsulated)	~0.9 W/m²K (laminated layers)
Maximum Clear Span	4–5 metres	8–12+ metres
Price (per sqm, ex-works)	EUR 80–180	EUR 140–320
Building Regs	Garden/ancillary use; limits for habitable	Meets residential regs in most EU countries
Best Use Cases	Garden cabins, sheds, hobby rooms	Residential, offices, commercial, glamping
Lead Time (Eurodita)	2–4 weeks standard	4–8 weeks (engineered)
Dealer Gross Margin	25–35%	35–50%

Traditional solid log construction uses single-piece logs milled to uniform thickness and stacked horizontally, with profiled joints (dovetail, square notch, or tongue-and-groove) between courses. This is the oldest form of timber building and remains the dominant construction type for entry-level and mid-range garden buildings, cabins, and holiday structures worldwide.

Eurodita’s log cabin range uses solid Nordic pine and spruce logs ranging from 28mm to 120mm wall thickness, finger-jointed for length where required.

Key Differences: Structural Performance

Property	Glulam	Solid Log
Structural strength	~70% higher per equivalent cross-section	Baseline reference
Dimensional stability	Excellent — engineered to resist warping	Moderate — can warp, twist, or check
Settling	None	Up to 10% vertical settlement over 2–3 years
Clear span capability	Up to 20m+ with glulam beams	Limited by log length (typically 6–8m)
Moisture movement	Minimal due to cross-lamination	Significant — requires expansion gaps
Load-bearing walls	Yes — preferred for 2+ storey structures	Yes for single storey; less reliable for multi-storey

Key takeaway for dealers: For any structure intended as a residential building, commercial space, or multi-storey application, glulam is the technically superior choice and easier to sell to end customers who research before buying.

Key Differences: Thermal Performance

Thermal performance is critical for year-round use — an increasingly important selling point as customers use garden offices and studios as genuine workspaces.

Wall Thickness	Type	Approx. U-value (W/m²K)	Year-round suitable?
44mm	Solid log	~1.2–1.5	No
70mm	Solid log	~0.8–1.0	Marginal (summer/autumn only)
88mm	Solid log	~0.65–0.8	Marginal with supplementary insulation
70mm	Glulam	~0.6–0.75	Better than equivalent solid
140mm	Glulam	~0.35–0.45	Yes — with appropriate additional insulation
220mm	Glulam	~0.22–0.28	Yes — meets near-passive standard

Note: U-values are indicative and depend on moisture content, joint quality, and additional insulation systems. These figures are for the wall log alone and do not include floor or roof insulation.

Key Differences: Price and Margin

Category	Solid Log (44mm)	Solid Log (88mm)	Glulam (70mm)	Glulam (140mm)
Typical wholesale (ex-works, 4x6m unit)	£1,100–£1,600	£2,800–£4,000	£4,500–£7,000	£9,000–£14,000
Typical UK retail	£2,000–£3,200	£5,000–£8,000	£8,500–£14,000	£18,000–£28,000
Dealer gross margin	28–35%	32–40%	35–45%	38–50%

Key takeaway: Glulam commands a higher absolute price and typically better margin percentage. Dealers who can confidently explain the structural and thermal advantages can justify the premium and convert at higher average order values.

Which Type Sells Better in Each Market?

UK: Solid log dominates the volume garden office and garden building market (28–70mm). Glulam is growing rapidly in the residential and year-round office segment. Dealers should stock both.
Germany: Glulam (Brettschichtholz) has strong market penetration in residential and commercial timber buildings. German buyers are more technically literate and respond well to specification selling. Solid log is sold predominantly in the garden building and holiday cabin segment.
Scandinavia: Strong cultural preference for traditional log construction (especially Norway and Sweden for holiday cabins). Glulam dominates commercial and large residential projects.
Netherlands/Belgium/France: Predominantly garden building segment; solid log in 44–70mm dominates. Glulam is a niche but growing.

Dealer Use Cases: When to Recommend Glulam vs Solid Log

Recommend solid log when: customer wants a garden building or seasonal cabin; budget is under £5,000; planning permission is not an issue; the structure is for occasional use only.
Recommend glulam when: customer wants year-round use; structure is larger than 25m²; customer mentions planning permission (glulam structures are easier to get approved for residential use); customer is a commercial buyer (glamping operator, holiday park, developer).
Use glulam as an upsell: after quoting solid log, introduce glulam at 25–45% uplift with the settling and thermal performance arguments. Conversion rate on this upsell is high when customers are planning year-round use.

Eurodita’s Glulam vs Solid Log Range

Eurodita manufactures both product types from Kaunas, Lithuania, with independently tested and FSC-certified timber throughout. Wall thickness options:

Solid log range: 28mm, 34mm, 44mm, 68mm, 70mm, 88mm, 100mm, 120mm
Glulam range: 70mm, 88mm, 112mm, 140mm, 185mm, 220mm

Bespoke wall thickness options are available on request with a 24–48 hour quote turnaround. All products are available on a private-label basis with no minimum order quantity on standard catalogue items.