What is  Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

High-Performance Mass Timber Panels for Modern Construction

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Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a prefabricated mass timber panel manufactured from layers of structural lumber arranged in alternating directions and bonded with structural adhesives.

The perpendicular orientation of the laminations provides CLT with excellent strength, stiffness and dimensional stability. Unlike conventional wood framing, CLT can function as a large structural panel for floors, roofs and walls. CLT is particularly well suited to modern mass timber buildings, where prefabricated structural wood panels can be coordinated, CNC-machined and installed quickly on site.

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Why Choose CLT?

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CLT provides a combination of structural performance, construction efficiency and environmental benefits.

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Structural Performance

CLT panels provide strong load-bearing capacity in both major and minor directions, allowing them to be used for two-way spanning floor and roof systems. The orientation and grade of the outer laminations influence the panel's primary strength direction.

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Prefabricated Construction

CLT is manufactured off-site and can be CNC fabricated to precise project requirements. Openings for doors, windows, stairs, mechanical services and other building components can be incorporated during fabrication.

This allows CLT panels to arrive on site ready for efficient installation.  

 

Fast Installation

Prefabricated CLT panels can significantly reduce on-site construction time compared with conventional construction methods. The panels are designed for planned delivery and rapid erection, helping improve overall project efficiency.

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Sustainable Building Material

As a wood-based mass timber product, CLT can support sustainable construction and lower-impact building strategies. Wood stores biogenic carbon, while prefabricated manufacturing can help reduce construction waste.

 

Lightweight Structural System

CLT provides an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, allowing designers to achieve substantial structural capacity with relatively lightweight panels.

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Fire Performance

Mass timber and CLT assemblies can provide predictable fire performance when properly designed and tested. The outer wood layers form a protective char layer that can help maintain structural capacity during fire exposure.

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Thermal & Acoustic Performance

CLT construction can contribute to strong thermal and acoustic performance, particularly when incorporated into properly designed floor, roof and wall assemblies.

Seismic Performance

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The combination of structural strength, stiffness and relatively low weight makes CLT suitable for engineered seismic design when properly detailed by a qualified structural engineer.

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CLT Applications

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CLT panels are versatile structural components used throughout mass timber construction.

 

CLT Floor Panels

CLT is widely used for structural floor panels and floor slabs, providing a strong prefabricated platform for residential, commercial and institutional buildings.

 

CLT Roof Panels

CLT roof panels provide structural capacity while allowing architects and designers to create exposed timber ceilings and modern mass timber roof systems.

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CLT Wall Panels

CLT can be used for load-bearing walls, exterior walls and interior structural walls, providing both vertical and lateral structural capacity.

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CLT Shear Walls

CLT panels can be designed as shear walls to resist lateral loads caused by wind and seismic forces.

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Partition Walls

CLT can also be incorporated into architectural and partition wall systems where the appearance and performance of exposed timber are desired.

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Parapets, Shafts & Cores

CLT can be used for parapets, elevator shafts, stair cores and other structural assemblies, depending on the project design and engineering requirements.

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CLT Panel Specifications

Species

• Douglas Fir

• Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF)

Panel Thickness

• 4 1/8" — 3-ply

• Up to 12 3/8" — 9-ply

Panel Width

• Available in configurations up to approximately 10'–12', depending on manufacturing and transportation requirements

Panel Length

• Available up to approximately 60' (18.28 m), subject to manufacturing and transportation limitations

Construction

• 3-ply, 5-ply, 7-ply and 9-ply configurations

• Alternating grain direction between laminations

• Structural adhesive bonding

• CNC fabrication available

 

Actual panel dimensions, layup, species, stress grades and configuration should be confirmed for each project based on structural requirements and manufacturing capabilities.

 

ANSI/APA PRG 320 CLT

Performance-rated Cross-Laminated Timber for structural applications is manufactured in accordance with ANSI/APA PRG 320 – Standard for Performance-Rated Cross-Laminated Timber.

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Engineered Wood. Mass Timber. Built for Performance.

 

At Novalam Timbers, we work with architects, engineers, builders, developers and contractors to provide engineered timber solutions for modern construction.

 

Whether you are designing a CLT floor system, mass timber roof, structural wall, shear wall or complete timber building, our team can help coordinate the appropriate timber products and fabrication requirements for your project.

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Talk to Novalam Timber experts about your next CLT project.