Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

Norwich Open Academy, UK. Architects: Sheppard Robson. © FPInnovations.

Developed in Switzerland in the early 1990s, cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a multi-layer wood panel with each layer oriented crosswise to its adjacent layers for increased dimensional stability and strength. As part of a framing system CLT can be used for long spans (floors, walls or roofs), and CLT products can be prefinished, reducing labour onsite, and be utilized equally well in new construction and additions to existing buildings.

CLT has gained traction since 2000 through the emerging green building movement, as engineered wood products offer a strong combination of environmental performance and sustainability, design flexibility, cost-competitiveness and structural integrity. And as CLT is all wood (except the adhesive that binds it together), it offers carbon-storage advantages over non-wood alternatives.

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CLT HandbookThis peer reviewed tool, available from FPInnovations, Forintek Division, provides technical information relating to manufacturing, all aspects of design and construction, and environmental considerations of CLT.
Cross Laminated Timber – A Primer Is a publication available from FPInnovations, Forintek Division regarding the knowledge gained on CLT to date.
FPInnovationsA variety of CLT Symposium presentations that discusses technical details, codes and design elements for projects and buildings using CLT.
78-foot Bell Tower in North Carolina Built from CLT First non-residential Structure in the US to be built from CLT.
The Coming of Cross-laminated TimberThis Construction Specifier Article discusses cross-laminated timber (CLT) and how it is being used internationally.
Wooden Buildings Reach New HeightsWatch this BBC news piece on two CLT timber-built, mid-rise apartment buildings in London, England.
Standard for Performance Rated Cross-laminated TimberThis APA - The Engineered Wood Association publication describes the new CLT standard that was approved for publication by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).