Mass timber construction is an innovative approach to new construction – some might say it is the best choice moving forward for the future of the construction industry. For a number of reasons, mass timber construction is a great new trend. Some of those reasons are below.
Fire Resistance
In studies done to test the amount of fire resistance in a mass timber building, a 5-ply cross-laminated timber panel wall was tested under temperatures exceeding 1,800 Fahrenheit – the mass timber lasted 3 hours and 6 minutes, which is far more than the two-hour rating that is required by building codes.
When exposed to fire, mass timber tends to char on the outside, which actually forms a protective insulating layer that helps to protect the interior of the wood from damage.
Strength
Mass timber buildings weigh approximately one-fifth of a similar sized concrete building. With reduced foundation sizes, mass timber buildings perform well under the stress of seismic activity.
Sustainability
For a number of reasons, using mass timber is far more sustainable than using other materials. Carbon emissions are reduced when using mass timber, and because it is far faster to construct, mass timber building uses up less fuel and emissions.
For all of these great reasons, mass timber construction is considered to be one of the greatest options moving forward for construction projects – especially considering environmentally friendly options.
