Cross laminated timber (CLT) practically symbolises the ecology and economy of timber construction. All the advantages of solid constructions such as solidity, value retention, sound insulation or fire protection are ideally combined with the ecologically unique selling points of wood as a sustainable material.
Cross laminated timber CLT
Timber construction with significant advantages
The dimensions of CLT elements and their structural as well as their aesthetic qualities open up new perspectives in terms of applications and design possibilities for the entire construction industry as well as architects. Together with the many advantages of this product, this explains the triumphant advance of cross laminated timber since the late 1990s.
The new nature of architecture
Cross laminated timber is a solid pre-fabricated system element made from wood. CLT combines the many advantages of wood with technological achievements that enable a high degree of prefabrication and rapid, safe construction. Compared to its weight, it is one of the most capable construction materials for multi-storey buildings such as residential buildings, commercial buildings (offices, hotels), municipal buildings such as schools, kindergartens or nursing homes and much more. Further applications are extensions or upgrades of any kind and dimension in urban environments. And let’s not forget about private residential construction. The refinement of wood into CLT combines fast and precise construction with the aesthetics, comfort and sustainability of wood.
Production
CLT consists of three to seven cross laminated softwood board plies. By gluing longitudinal and transverse plies, the swelling and shrinkage of the wood is reduced to a negligible extent. Pfeifer CLT uses dried, planed spruce and pine lamellas sorted by strength and quality as well as formaldehyde-free polyurethane (PU) glue. The individual panels are connected lengthwise by a finger joint in a force-fitting manner and finalised in the gluing station or press. In the joining centre, CNC-controlled joinery and sanding takes place according to customer specifications. The entire Pfeifer CLT production is highly automated.
© Shutterstock – Alexandre Zveiger
Advantages of solid CLT construction
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Sturdy, safe and comfortable buildings are created through a high degree of prefabrication, resulting in the shortest construction times and easy assembly. Single family homes entirely built from wood, multi-storey residential complexes and even high-rise buildings have long been reality.
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Maximum planning reliability due to defined or standardised mechanical and structural properties of CLT prefabricated parts. All requirements towards a modern building material are met and constant internal and external quality control is guaranteed.
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CLT elements meet all criteria of solid construction. They achieve the fire resistance class REI 30-90, increase the storage-capable mass of a building and can be used for biaxial load transfer. Earthquake-proof construction is possible.
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CLT has a soundproofing and heat insulation effect while solid wood regulates indoor air humidity and ensures a pleasant room and living climate both in summer (insulation) and winter (heat storage).
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Manifold ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OPTIONS with visible wood and all other conceivable surfaces are possible.
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CLT elements are breathable and work
like a vapour barrier, which for the most part means
foil-free construction.
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CNC joining centre enables cuts and milling to be made individually according to the construction plan.
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Net gain of living space through thinner
wall construction.
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All components – walls, ceilings and roof – can be designed in CLT, for low and ultra-low energy as well as passive energy buildings of different sizes, building and roof forms.
Environmental advantages
Compared to conventional building materials such as concrete or steel, wood has a bonus of being environmentally friendly: Europe's forests grow more wood than is harvested. Wood is a natural carbon storage medium, has a high amount of CO2 and thus contributes actively to climate protection. Every solid wood building is more or less a “storage warehouse” for CO2. In comparison: The production of concrete and steel consumes vast amounts of energy and creates greenhouse gases.
The low weight of CLT offers advantages in transport and handling, which saves energy and costs.
At the end of a building's life cycle, this natural raw material can be completely recycled in an ecological way.
The million is within reach!
90 per cent of worldwide CLT production takes place in Europe, most of it in Austria (currently 60 %) and Germany (currently 24 %). Almost every year, the leading manufacturers massively increase their capacities. According to forecasts, by 2021 the production volume will have reached a total output of 1.3 million cubic meters! To put this into perspective: In 2016, output was just 680,000 m³.
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