The Rise of Mass Timber Construction
Exploring how engineered wood products are enabling taller, more sustainable wooden buildings and changing construction practices.
Exploring how engineered wood products are enabling taller, more sustainable wooden buildings and changing construction practices.
Mass timber construction is revolutionizing the building industry by enabling the construction of tall wooden buildings that were previously impossible. Using engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam), architects can now design multi-story wooden structures that rival steel and concrete in strength and durability.
Wood is a renewable resource that stores carbon throughout the building's lifetime. Mass timber construction typically has a lower carbon footprint than steel or concrete construction, making it an attractive option for sustainable building projects.
Modern engineered wood products offer excellent strength-to-weight ratios and can be precisely manufactured to meet specific structural requirements. They also provide natural fire resistance when properly designed.
Mass timber allows for large, open spaces without the need for intermediate supports, providing architects with greater design freedom. The material also offers excellent thermal and acoustic properties.
Countries like Austria, Canada, and Norway have been leaders in mass timber construction, with building codes increasingly accommodating taller wooden structures worldwide.