Beams With a Lighter Footprint The beam is the backbone of every building — and one of its biggest carbon costs. EcoBeam explains the greener options: engineered timber, recycled steel, and low-carbon concrete.

Engineered timber like glulam and LVL is used in buildings many storeys tall. Strength is a matter of engineering to code, not of wood versus steel in the abstract.

Lower embodied carbon: material grown or recycled rather than newly smelted or fired, sourced responsibly, and ideally reusable at end of life.

Sometimes upfront, though timber can build faster and recycled steel is often price-competitive. Always compare installed cost, not material price alone. Educational content, not professional engineering advice.