Glued Laminated Appearance Grade

[jopalu]

The project is a church. Ninety percent of the Glulam members are exposed. Ten percent of the glulam members are concealed above a dropped ceiling, soffit or elsewhere.

I am aware of (4) appearance grades: Industrial, Industrial S, Architectural and Premium. (What is "Industrial S"?)

I am specifying the Appearance Grade to be "Architectural". Is there a cost benefit in specifying the concealed ten percent as Industrial, or is the cost savings little to nothing?

Thank you!

 

[boo1]

See link for Standard Appearance Grades for Structural Glued Laminated Timber, AITC-110 at:

https://www.aitc-glulam.org/shopcart/webitems.asp?category=design

Some of the savings for the 10% members not exposed is balanced by the risk of mixing locations. Cost out the two options and decide.