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Mass timber is a sustainable construction material made from solid wood, specifically large dimension lumber that is laminated or layered together to create structural components. It's known for its strength, durability, and eco-friendly properties, and is increasingly used as an alternative to traditional concrete and steel materials. Mass timber is renewable and has lower carbon emissions compared to concrete and steel, making it a more environmentally friendly choice. Additionally, mass timber is a good insulator and can be prefabricated off-site, which can reduce construction time and waste. It's gaining attention for its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local economies, and promote forest health.
Mass timber encompasses a variety of types, each with its own unique characteristics and applications that cater to specific structural needs and design requirements. The following are the six most common types:
1. Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT): CLT is made by layering perpendicular planks of solid wood, typically softwood species, and bonding them together with adhesive. This creates large, solid panels that can be used as walls, floors, and roofs in building construction.
2. Glue-Laminated Timber (glulam): Glulam is made by bonding layers of dimension lumber together with adhesive. This creates large, solid beams or columns that can be used for structural purposes in buildings.
3. Dowel-Laminated Timber (DLT): DLT is similar to CLT, but instead of adhesive, wooden dowels are used to connect the layers of lumber. DLT is known for its structural strength and is used for walls, floors, and roofs in construction.
4. Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT): NLT is made by nailing dimension lumber together to create large, solid panels. NLT is commonly used for floors, walls, and roofs in construction.
5. Mass Plywood Panels (MPP): MPP is a newer type of mass timber that uses thin layers of veneer that are glued together, creating large, solid panels that can be used for walls, floors, and roofs in construction.
6. Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL): LVL is made by bonding thin layers of veneer together with adhesive. While it is not typically used as a primary mass timber product, it can be used as beams, headers, and other structural elements in construction.
Holden Co. structures are designed using two types of mass timber: Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT). We chose CLT because it offers a combination of high strength and stability, making it an excellent choice for walls, floors, and roofs. CLT is made by bonding layers of lumber together at right angles, creating a panel that is resistant to warping, twisting, and shrinking. This allows our design team to create unique and innovative structures that are both stable and durable.
In addition, CLT provides excellent thermal insulation, making it an energy-efficient choice for our designs. On the other hand, GLT is known for its high strength and durability, making it ideal for load-bearing elements such as beams and columns. GLT is made by bonding layers of lumber together with high-performance adhesives, resulting in a robust and structurally stable material.
Both CLT and GLT are made from sustainably harvested wood and use low-toxicity adhesives, making them a renewable and environmentally friendly choice for building materials. By using mass timber in our designs, we're not only creating beautiful and functional structures, but also contributing to a more sustainable future.
Fires are one of the enemies to construction, second to gravity itself. Just because a material, such as structural steel, does not combust when exposed to high heat does not mean it cannot become compromised in a fire. Thanks to the manufacturing process of mass timber, fires are thoroughly planned for in order to make the product more fire resistant. Since all structures can potentially be compromised in fires, the goal is to delay the amount of time it takes to compromise the integrity of the unit. When exposed to direct heat and flames wood possesses the ability to char. This factor allows the wood to keep its integrity for the char/burn rate specified by the International Building Code (IBC) ratings. Fire planning is one of the perceived weaknesses of normal dimensional lumber that the mass timber production process minimizes. The planning process includes consideration of applying intumescent coatings on the wood to increase fire resistance.
Deforestation is and should be a concern for every human being on this planet. Forests are crucial to the larger ecosystem. Holden Co. will source wood from or with vendors that acquire lumber from sustainably sourced forests. The “growth to drain” ratio is an important indicator of how a forest is being managed. A ratio greater than 1 indicates there is more wood fiber being added each year through net growth than is being removed by harvesting. The US Forest Service is a federal agency in charge of managing nearly 190 million acres of national forests. They have tracked growth and drain of forest for the past century. According to the annual Mass Timber Report, there has been a significant increase in available sawtimber from 1953 to 2017. Sawtimber is timber specifically used to make dimensional lumber, which is used in mass timber production.
Absolutely. This is one of the most captivating properties of mass timber. It has an innate ability to sequester carbon in the built environment. The longer the mass timber structure is standing the longer the carbon sequestered in the fibers will remain. Find out today how you can own a carbon banking structure!
Anywhere your heart desires, your local jurisdiction approves, and your wallet endorses.
We are currently in the process of our first build in Rosedale, Kansas. Follow along on our social channels as we document the entire build from start to finish.
Pre-engineered refers to a type of construction or manufacturing where certain parts or pieces of the build are designed and fabricated off-site, before being assembled and installed on-site. The pre-engineering process allows for more efficient and cost-effective construction, as well as greater accuracy and consistency in the final product. For us, the shells of our structures are fabricated off-site. The structure shell is comprised of pre-frabricated CLT panels and Glulam beams. The rest of the fit and finish of the structure is constructed on-site.
