Oak beam 30×40 cm

An oak beam with a head size of 30×40 cm or 300×400 mm comes from an imposing oak tree. Such a tree requires about 150 years of growth time. Such beams are available in our range and are wind-dried for about 5 to 7 years. The wood has a beautiful straight grain, making it excellent for use as a construction beam in renovation projects or when building new homes.

What head size do I need for my project?

In general, the rule of thumb is that you can count 5 cm for the height of the header gauge per length meter of span. Using this guideline, a 30×40 cm oak beam would be sufficiently strong for an 8-meter span. Always have a structural engineer calculate the exact dimensions required. An unequal oak beam is extra robust because a 30×40 cm beam has less volume than a 40×40 cm beam. This extra weight contributes to a downward force, whereas the strength of a horizontal joist is primarily determined by its vertical height. In addition, an uneven head size makes a beam look less pompous in an interior.  

What is the weight of such a large oak beam?

The weight of an oak beam varies after several years of drying process, usually between 750 and 850 kg per cubic meter. The volumetric mass of oak is primarily affected by the moisture content. The longer a beam dries, the lower the moisture percentage in the wood. So a dry oak beam always weighs less than a freshly cut oak beam, which can weigh as much as more than 1,000 kg per cubic meter. Second, the density of a beam depends on the growth area; a beam with fine grain may be heavier than one cut from a tree that has grown faster. Here are some indications of weight:

• 30×30 cm / approximately 70 kg per running meter
• 30×35 cm / approximately 80 kg per running meter
• 30×40 cm / approximately 95 kg per running meter

What does an oak beam 30×40 cm cost?

The price of a 30×40 cm heavy oak beam depends greatly on the number of years the wood has dried. The longer the wood is dried, the higher the quality and thus the price level. These large sizes make the beam pricier compared to smaller oak beams, such as those measuring 15×15 cm or 20×20 cm. This is because thick oak logs that are straight are scarce and represent higher quality. Thus, the price reflects both the size and quality of the wood available. For a free customized quote, please contact us through this page.