Products

PLX Portal

The next generation in portal bracing is here!

A strong but lightweight timber bracing solution, the PLX Portal revolutionises building construction. A smart and sustainable alternative to heavy, hard-to-install and emission-intensive steel portals, the PLX Portal is proudly designed and manufactured in New Zealand by Prolam.

Innovative design
The PLX Portal is constructed from three glulam timber elements,   including Prolam’s trademarked PLX20 Beam – precision engineered from quality radiata pine reinforced with steel for increased load bearing capacity. The reinforced beam offers excellent spanning capability to deliver optimal design flexibility for architectural features ranging from large internal openings to garage and window bracing portals or anywhere you need bracing but only have a narrow wall space.

Unmatched Installation Ease
The beauty of the PLX Portal lies in its lightweight construction and the simplicity of its onsite assembly and installation. The timber lintel and legs can be cut to length onsite to suit your project, assembled using standard tools, and installed and fixed without the need for extra labour, specialised skills or equipment such as cranes.
The new foot bracket design increases bracing capacity and provides a robust fixing solution for insulated foundations. The new top-down fixing ability enables a quicker and easier installation, speeding up the construction process.

A cut above
• Up to 40% lighter than steel portals
• High strength and durability
• Awesome spanning capability
• Simple on-site assembly using standard tools
• Fast installation – no extra equipment or staff
• FSC certified timber options available 
• Easy to specify with PS1 certificate
• Highest timber bracing solution available
• Better insulation values than steel
• Cut to length to suit 
• Made in New Zealand

Applications
• Large internal openings
• Garage portals
• Window portals

Now on the Prolam Specifier

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Grades & Finishes

Non Vis H1.2
Non-Visual H1.2 - Appearance C

This grade is intended for use in applications where appearance is unimportant. All appearance blemishes are permitted in this grade. The surfaces are machined, but machine skip is permissible and blemishes, voids and manufacturing will remain unrepaired. Loose, knots, wane, pith and open knot holes may be present. H1.2 Treatment is dyed pink and is ONLY available in lengths up to 7.2m.

Timber used for laminating is carefully selected for production and graded according to strict Prowood specifications. All timber stock is kiln dried, to 13% average moisture content, to ensure efficient bonding in the gluing operations. 

The laminations are machine finger jointed if required, with glue being cured by state of the art European press systems and controlled temperature. Prolam PLX Portal products are available in non-visual utility grades only. 

Prolam structural laminated timber can be used in any form of construction where the structure relies on AS/NZS 1170: 2002 and NZ 3603 1993. The design can be from the Prolam online software, span tables or specific design by an engineer using Prolam’s structural properties. All structural timber products must be stored, handled and installed in accordance with all Prolam’s installation requirements. Prolam structural laminated timber works well in harsh environments, for example in corrosive chemical stores, fell-monger, acid plants, salt-water environments and swimming pools, as it does not rust and the glues used are service class 3 certified.

Limitations on use

This laminated treated product must be protected from the elements until it is installed.
For internal use only. 

Prolam structural timber products can be used in specific fire performance situations, and must be designed in conjunction with a fire engineer.

Building code statement of compliance 

Prolam laminated structural timber installed in accordance with the Prolam installation requirements, will comply with the below performance clauses of the New Zealand building code.

  • Structure B1/AS1: meets the requirements of B1.3.1 B1.3.2 B1.3.3 (a, b, f, j, m, q) B1.3.4 (a, b, c, d, e); AS1170:2002 for engineering span tables, AS/NZS 1328:1998 and AS5068 for building element
  • Durability B2/AS1: meets the requirements of B2.3.1(a) B2.3.2. And can be used in service class 3 situations provided H3.2 treatment or higher is used. All timber is treated in accordance with NZS3640. Prolam treats it’s own timber, and is third party audited to ensure compliance to the New Zealand treatment standard. Correct treatments must be used in the right places.
  • Protection from Fire C: APA Evaluation of Char Rate (ASTM E119), TT- 118, January 2015; meets the requirements of C6.3 C6.4. Where members are required to have a fire resistance rating the designer can use the follow standards for FRR design: TT-118 OR: NZS 3603:1993 (section 9).
  • Hazardous Building Materials F2/AS1: meets the requirements of F2.3.1. Timber treatment suppliers meet NZS3640, which includes flash-off requirements.

NZBC designed to comply

B1
Structure

B2 
Durability

B3
Protection from Fire

B4
Hazardous Building Materials

Features & Benefits

Cost Effectiveness

High weight-to-strength ratio of Prolam allows for maximum loads over large spans with the smallest possible end sections.

Product Quality

Prolam manufactured in accordance with AS/NZS 1328 Glue Laminated Structural Timber standard.

Fire Safety

Extensive fire test data shows that Prolam beams maintain structural load support for measurable periods of time in fire situations.

Renewable Resource

Made from renewable New Zealand plantation timber, Prolam uses 14 times less energy to produce compared to the equivalent steel beam.

Chemical Resistance

Prolam works well in harsh environments as it does not rust and the glues used are service class 3 certified.

Case Studies

Nelson Home

Sands Build

Ngā Whare Pārara Somerfield Superhomes

Somerfield, Christchurch

Latitude Homes Sales Office

Paerata Rise, Pukekohe

Waikanae Beach Home

Huiawa Street, Waikanae Beach

Parklands Residence

Mohaka Street, Parklands

Why Choose Prolam

Engineered Structural Timber Solutions

Specify with certainty


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