Mass Timber is gaining popularity within large scale construction projects. It is fast becoming the go to specification for strength, sustainability and has many benefits over steel and concrete.
Simply put mass timber is the name given to various different types of engineered wood. This timber was developed in Europe in the late 80's. Mass timber has many benefits but importantly allows for quicker assembly. It is cleaner and lighter than traditional methods.
Mass timber is engineered using layers and layers of wood, joined together to form incredibly strong panels or beams. Timber itself is of course renewable. The carbon removed from the atmosphere by trees is captured and stored in the wood.
Mass timber is scalable and versatile. Each panel or beam can be created to specification. The use of mass timber enables faster construction, reduces environmental impact and works efficiently all the while supporting net-zero building.
This could substantially reduce emissions and promote a healthy built environment
Kirsty Hammond Publisher of Specifier Review
Continued advances
In many countries in the western world we are facing a strained housing market, 2025 along with new building rules will see taller, safer, flexible mass timber constructions. This progression will bring huge benefits for the economy as well as the climate.
The technology involved in mass timber building is improving. New fire treatments make it safer, better ways of connecting panels are constantly being evolved and the designs are getting increasingly creative!
Prefab as always plays a part, panels are factory made and transported to site and waste, time and errors are reduced.
The advances in mass timber allows for new and exciting ways to construct buildings. It is possible that steel reinforcements could become a thing of the past. Mass timber will facilitate the design of many sustainable buildings of the future.
Different types of mass timber
Miami saw, this year the opening of Apple Miami Worldcenter, the first Apple Store with extensive use of mass timber construction.
Glulam is glued laminated timber that is often used for structural construction. Made from layers of timber all oriented the same direction, in simple terms, smaller pieces of timber can create large structural beams and columns. It is also possible to make curved or arched structures. Usually made from fir, larch, oak or spruce.
DLT, is dowel-laminated timber. These panels are constructed from layers of softwood connected by friction fit hardwood dowels. Perfect for floors and decks. No glue necessary making it faster and cheaper than cross-laminated timber (CLT).
Nail-lamp is manufactured from planks of timber, screwed together to form panels. Think floors, and walls.
LVL or laminated veneer lumber is made from thin layers or veneers. Created using thinly sliced timber under heat and ópressure, all oriented in one direction forming beams and columns like glu-lam.
Boosting value and wellbeing
There are of course, like most things in life, disadvantages. Mass timber has been expensive to a point. The restrictions on timber building heights have dampened the flow and the lack of wall cavities can lead to higher architectural and design costs for electrics and plumbing within a building.
However, in addition to its carbon storing advantages, mass timber buildings are aesthetically pleasing, so this construction material can boost value and contribute to wellbeing.
Major players like Google, Microsoft and Adidas are incorporating mass timber into their workplaces. Schools and universities are keen to harness the biophilic advantages and sustainable values. Biophilic design reduces stress and increases productivity for those within.
Ultimately mass timber is changing the way we build; it has a critical role to play in the future of construction. This new building material could substantially reduce emissions in the construction industry and promote a healthy built environment.
Wood has been pivotal to our building structures throughout history and this appears set to continue ...
Kirsty Hammond is Publisher of Specifier Review
