Rising material and labor costs have led many architects and contractors to look for efficient ways to build their projects 

One cost-effective material is the so-called mass timber or cross-laminated timber (CLT). It is a prefabricated wood system that creates a dense wood panel. It needs minimal labor and aids in lessening construction costs. 

While it has been utilized in Europe for the last twenty (20) years, it has become a famous material in the Pacific Northwest after timber became more rare because of a disease. 

Some construction companies use CLT on a wide array of products and are choosing it to enhance hotels. This hype first originated in a Military base in the state of Alabama. CLT was also used in the Oregon State University Student Center, in Portland since it basically saves 30 percent of time of the construction schedule.

Architects are increasingly getting fond of CLT as highlighted by the material’s feature in ArchDaily. CLT showcased benefits over the materials beyond just its immediate delivery of the project. It also performs better in terms of seismic requirement as compared to typical wood buildings, which have undergone thorough criticism lately after a spate of fires in some construction in tropical countries. CLT stands up a lot more efficient as compared to steel buildings during a fire, based on studies. “The acoustical and thermal performance is a lot superior to stick-frame,” according to studies as well.  

This is to be added to environmental benefits. While data is still relatively scarce, making it hard to promote mass timber as “environmentally friendly”, signs are encouraging: 

“We are working with a large interdisciplinary team of climate scientists, carbon cycle researchers, metallurgists, and foresters to really understand the potential climate impacts of mass timber at scale,” said Andrew Ruff, of Connecticut-based Gray Organschi Architecture in an article for Yale Environment 360

However, the eco-friendly aspect of this construction material can definitely be enhanced by reusing old timber like Kaltimber is doing when recycling disused structures material.

Additionally, floor assembly is a bit thinner as compared to wood frame and can be as thin as 6-8 inches, which can basically add up to half a foot of floor height. CLT does not require a gypsum board over it. So, basically, it can be left exposed. It also allows pre-fabrication that can be utilized for bathroom pods and stairs that can be dropped into a building. 

While CLT is quicker to build as compared with concrete and metal stud, it is a bit heavier compared to a regular wood and needs the right geometry and soil condition to regulate its resilience to seismic qualifications. The biggest quandary to more common usage of CLT, especially in the United States is the slow permitting method. Since it is a new construction material, each building department requires proof that the material will last for a long period of time.

CLT, in due time, will surely be a part of the building code system and it will be a lot easier and more cost efficient to utilize it. CLT works wonder in terms of speed in constructing and prefabrication techniques.