02/19/2026
Which Beam Should You Use? 2x10s, LVL, LSL, PSL, Glulam… or Steel?
Thinking about removing a wall, opening up a space, or adding a big window? Before anyone swings a hammer, the real question is what’s going to hold up the house once that wall is gone. And around HRM, you’ll see everything from built‑up 2x10s to LVL, LSL, PSL, Glulam, and sometimes steel. They all work, but they’re not the same tool for the job.
A built‑up 2x beam is the classic option: layers of dimensional lumber fastened together. It’s cheap, familiar, and great for small spans or simple renovations. The trade‑off is variability, regular lumber isn’t always straight or consistent, so it’s not ideal when you need long spans or predictable stiffness.
LVL is the next step up. Made from thin veneers glued and pressed into a solid, uniform beam, LVL is strong, reliable, and easy to source locally. It’s the go‑to choice for most residential beams because it delivers consistent performance without jumping into premium pricing.
LSL is a different animal. It’s made from long wood strands (similar to OSB but longer strands), oriented and pressed into a very straight, very stable member. LSL isn’t about maximum strength; it’s about dimensional stability. That makes it perfect for tall walls, rim boards, and places where you want framing that stays true. It’s not typically the most cost‑effective beam, but it shines where straightness matters.
PSL is the powerhouse. Built from very long, parallel‑aligned strands, it delivers the highest strength and stiffness of the engineered wood family. It’s what you reach for when the loads are heavy or the spans are long, and the price reflects that. PSL is overkill for most residential beams but unbeatable when you truly need it.
Glulam rounds out the engineered‑wood list. Made from stacked and glued 2x lumber, it’s strong, efficient over long spans, and looks great when left exposed. For big beams, it’s often cheaper than PSL and sometimes even competitive with LVL, especially when you want an architectural finish.
Steel enters the conversation when spans get large, headroom is tight, or loads are simply too much for wood to handle efficiently. A W‑beam or HSS section can carry huge loads with minimal depth, and it stays straight forever. The trade‑offs are weight, cost of installation, fireproofing requirements, and the need for proper bearing and connection detailing. Steel is rarely necessary for typical residential openings—but when you need maximum strength in minimum space, nothing else comes close.
In simple terms: built‑up lumber works for small spans, LVL handles most residential beams, LSL keeps tall framing straight, PSL carries the heavy loads, Glulam gives you strength with aesthetics, and steel solves the big‑span, low‑headroom, high‑load problems wood can’t.
