Learn more about structural timber certification GLTAA, the difference between a material you hope will perform and one you know will perform.

What is GLTAA?

The Glued Laminated Timber Association of Australia (GLTAA) was established in 1989 by glulam manufacturers themselves. The mission was to set industry standards, implement a strict code of practice, and enforce compliance across the sector. Today, the GLTAA stands as Australia's independent accreditation body for glue laminated timber carrying out qualification testing and ongoing audits.

For engineers, architects, and contractors, this matters because GLTAA certified glulam carries a guarantee that cannot be claimed by uncertified products. Certified members have passed independent qualification testing and continue to face regular third-party audits verifying compliance with Australian Standards including AS/NZS1328 . When you see the GLTAA mark on structural timber, you know that material meets the rigorous requirements of the Building Code of Australia.

3 Reasons GLTAA is the Benchmark

What makes GLTAA the definitive benchmark for glulam manufacturers? The answer lies in three fundamental pillars.

1. Technical Resources and Support

GLTAA provides members with access to comprehensive technical resources, including design guides, best practice manuals, and expert consultations. This support network ensures manufacturers stay current with evolving engineering requirements and installation best practices.

2. Quality Control and Verification

Membership requires adherence to strict quality control protocols. Regular audits and inspections verify compliance at every stage, from adhesive performance to finger joint integrity. The GLTAA quality mark ensures designers and builders can rely on the glulam product to perform to specification.

3. The Grading System: Understanding MOE

GLTAA employs a grading system based on Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), the fundamental measure engineers use to verify material stiffness and deflection durability under heavy load. The grades range from GL8 to GL20, with each step representing verified mechanical performance characteristics .

Buana's Keruing Glulam: Achieving the GL20 Grade

For glulam suppliers, achieving GLTAA certification represents a significant technical accomplishment, and Buana has achieved GL20 certification, the highest grade in the classification system. As the first Indonesian hardwood manufacturer to earn this distinction, Buana keruing glulam demonstrates premium Southeast Asian hardwoods can meet and exceed the world's most demanding engineering standards.

GL20 certification signifies a Modulus of Elasticity of 20,000 MPa, guaranteeing exceptional stiffness and minimal deflection under extreme loads, and for engineers calculating long-span beams or heavy-load structures, that verified data transforms what's possible in timber construction.

For international projects requiring verified material performance, engineers no longer need to compromise between tropical hardwood durability and certified engineering performance. Buana's apitong (keruing) GLTAA certified glulam now carries the strongest hardwood glulam available globally.