Homeowners often ask me whether their frame should be MGP or LVL. The honest answer is that you won't usually choose one over the other. Your frame will almost certainly have both, each doing a different job. What matters is that the right member is in the right place, at the size the drawings call for.
C7 - Frame Stage Inspection Checklist
$119.00 AUD
Last updated 12 Oct 2026 · Revision 2 · Free updates for life
Checklist Type: Major (Frame Stage)
Form Factor: Fillable, print-ready PDF (A4, 20 pages)
When to use: Frame stage: after the frame and trusses are up, before linings go in
A 136-point frame stage checklist. Check walls, trusses, bracing, tie-downs and plan features against your drawings before the linings go in, while changes are still simple.
What is 90x35 MGP?
MGP stands for Machine Graded Pine. It's plantation radiata or slash pine that's been through a machine that measures its stiffness and grades it. The common grades are MGP10, MGP12 and MGP15; the higher the number, the stiffer the timber.
90x35 MGP10 is the go-to for:
- Wall studs, top and bottom plates and noggings
- Most roof truss and ceiling members
- General framing where spans are short
It's cheap, light, easy to cut and nail, and every carpenter knows it. In Queensland, framing pine is treated against termites (H2 level, often coloured blue or pink so you can spot it on site).
What is LVL?
Laminated Veneer Lumber is made by gluing thin sheets of timber veneer together under heat and pressure, with the grain running the same way. Spreading out the natural defects makes it stronger, straighter and more predictable than solid timber of the same size, and it can be made in long lengths.
LVL is used where you need a long span or a heavy load, such as:
- Lintels over wide doors and windows, and over garage openings
- Beams and girder members
- Rafters and ridge beams in raked or open-plan roofs
- Floor bearers and joists
Carpenters cut and fix LVL with ordinary saws and nail guns. It's heavier than pine for the same length, and it costs more per metre, so it's used where it's needed rather than everywhere.
LVL used in a frame is designed to stay dry. If it's going to be exposed to the weather, it needs to be a product treated and rated for that use.
Quick comparison
- Typical use. MGP: studs, plates, noggings, short-span members. LVL: lintels, beams, rafters and long spans.
- Strength and consistency. MGP is graded and reliable for normal framing. LVL is stronger and more consistent for the same size.
- Cost. MGP is cheaper per metre. LVL costs more but can replace a bigger or doubled-up solid member.
- Sizing. MGP is sized from AS 1684 span tables. LVL is sized from the manufacturer's span tables or by your engineer.
- Straightness. LVL is less prone to twisting and bowing, which is why it's popular for long lintels and beams.
Which standard applies?
Timber framing for houses is covered by the AS 1684 series. AS 1684.2 covers non-cyclonic areas (wind classes N1 to N4). In the cyclonic parts of North Queensland, AS 1684.3 applies. Engineered products like LVL are sized from the manufacturer's own span tables, or by the engineer, rather than the general AS 1684 tables.
What to check at your frame inspection
You don't need to pick the timber. You need to check that what's on site matches the frame drawings:
- Lintels and beams are the size, grade and product shown on the drawings or the truss and frame layout.
- Long-span members are LVL (or whatever the engineer specified), not substituted for something smaller.
- Studs, plates and noggings are the correct grade (look for the MGP stamp) and spacing.
- Timber isn't badly twisted, split or wet, and LVL has been stored off the ground and covered.
- Tie-downs, brackets and fixings match the engineering.
My C7 Frame checklist (above) walks you through the full frame inspection, so you can raise issues before the plasterboard goes up.
Further reading
Timber Framing Guide | Key Elements & CodesLearn the fundamentals of timber framing for residential construction in Australia. In this guide we cover sub floor, wall, and roof elements, bracing systems, and building code references.
Timber vs Steel Framing: Choosing for Your HomeExplore the choice between timber and steel for lightweight framing in home construction. This guide compares their benefits, from environmental impact to cost and durability, helping you make an informed decision for your sustainable, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing home design.
Timber vs Steel: Choosing the Best Frame 4 Energy EfficiencyExplore the debate between timber and steel framing for energy-efficient homes. This article examines the insulation, thermal mass, and lifetime costs of both materials, helping homeowners make an informed decision for their dream home based on climate, longevity, and energy savings.
