Mass Timber Construction
Mass timber represents a transformative approach to construction by harnessing the natural strength and sustainability of wood to create buildings that are both environmentally friendly and architecturally stunning.
With its potential to revolutionize the way we build, mass timber is at the forefront of the sustainable building movement, offering a greener, more efficient, and visually appealing solution to urban development challenges.
Why Mass Timber?
Mass timber construction is rapidly emerging into the North American construction industry.
Mass timber provides:
Market Differentiation
Beautiful Aesthetics
High Strength to Weight Ratio
Carbon Sequestration
Increased speed of construction
Alternative to traditional construction materials
Understanding the Mass Timber Industry Landscape
It is critical to understand the dynamics and stakeholders in a mass timber project so you assess the options and discern what will align best for your project.
This includes decisions from selecting the appropriate:
Architect of Record (AOR)
Structural Engineer of Record (SEOR)
Constuction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC)
It is imperative to acknoweldge how the products and services can vary greatly between the:
Mass Timber Supplier
Mass TImber Installer
The fate of many mass timber projects is often decided long before any material arrives onsite.
The Value Proposition
Utilizing mass timber will only ever make sense if there is enough value in it.
Beyond the constructability benefits of mass timber (already mentioned speed of construction, accelerated schedule, reduced manpower requirements), there are other benefits to consider.
Mass timber provides lower embodied carbon and carbon sequestration benefits along with biophilic benefits.
The aesthetics of mass timber also creates market differentiation in saturated real estate markets.
Set up for Success
Understanding all of the above, and how best to apply this knowledge, is essential to executing a successful mass timber project.
Mass timber is not rocket science but it does require a deep understanding of industry nuances and stakeholder capabilities.
If you have any uncertainty about how to execute your first or next mass timber project, bringing in the right team members and knowledge is your first step to success.
Let Timber IQ show you how we can help!
What is Mass Timber?
Mass timber structures are comprised of engineered wood components prefabricated off-site in a controlled factory environment, where they are precisely manufactured in tight tolerances to meet project specifications.
Components are then shipped to site and often installed directly into place from the truck or staging area.
This methodology capitalizes on speed of construction, less manpower and reduced construction project life cycles.
This system enables projects to also utilize additional prefabricated assemblies including facades, HVAC systems and bathroom pods for increased quality, faster construction and less carrying costs.
Know Your Options
Mass timber is not always the best material for every project.
Conversely, mass timber is not necessarily an “all or nothing” proposition.
If you build with mass timber, you can also incorporate concrete or steel into the structure.
Understanding how mass timber best fits within a project, and how it complements other components, can be the difference between mass timber being part of the thoughtfully designed solution or just another wasted opportunity.
What Else Do I Need To Know?
How many mass timber projects have been built in your area?
Have you reviewed your local building code or talked to your local AHJs to access the viability and support in your area for mass timber buildings?
Have you explored opportunities for financial support through sustainable initiatives or grants?
Have you looked into the insurance impacts when building with mass timber?