Introduction - Cross Laminated Timber Panels

www.smartwoods.com - have been researching forestry management techniques in Europe, the subsequent engineered wood products that are manufactured into value-added products and the high performance, low energy buildings these systems deliver.  One prime example is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Panels - Conceived to utilize small diameter, low grade resources (Including the Mountain Pine Beetle resource), CLT panels are solid wood elements using only non-toxic formaldehyde-free adhesive and 4 inch wide lamellas of varying thickness layed up with each layer perpendicular to the next.  The cross lamination creates a slab of wood that spans in two directions and can displace concrete and steel in low and mid rise commercial applications.   Converting specific design programs into Machine Data Files, the panels are run through a CNC machine for cutting, drilling, routing, etc.  Finished panels are loaded onto a flatbed ready for installation.  Panels can be as large as 60' x 15' and can span 25 feet if engineered accordingly.  Once on site, panels are flown in via crane with minimal labor and zero waste.  A typical 2,500 sf building is raised in one week using readily available connections and self tapping wood screws.

To understand CLT further and how it differs from SIPs, think of it as a complete, pure wood, renewable and sustainable building system that delivers walls, floors, roof, interior partitions and interior finish if desired.  In addition, the CLT system is a vapor-open assembly providing exceptional moisture management in virtually any climate.  Solid wood building elements with insulation applied to the exterior, harnesses the thermal mass value of the wood to the interior.  Large format panels with taped seams reduces air infiltration and easily meets Passive House or Low e Standards.  CLT buildings outperform and outlast conventional methods and we suspect the North American market acceptance could be swift, prolific and enduring.