CLT

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT): The Future of Domestic Home Construction

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a high-performance, structural building material that is transforming how homes are designed and built. It consists of softwood or hardwood timber boards glued together under pressure in alternating layers (cross-wise) to form large-format solid panels. These panels are used as walls, floors, and roofs, effectively replacing traditional steel and concrete structures in a sustainable manner.

Structural Integrity and Design Flexibility

The cross-wise bonded structure of CLT significantly reduces wood expansion and shrinkage, ensuring high dimensional stability and structural load capacity. Because the panels are prefabricated using CNC-controlled cutting, they offer extreme dimensional accuracy, allowing for flexible architectural designs without the need for rigid grid patterns.

For domestic builds, CLT panels are available in various surface finishes, ranging from raw industrial looks to double-sanded, ultra-smooth "domestic visible quality" (DVQ) for internal walls and ceilings that are meant to be seen.

Speed and Efficiency on Site

One of the primary advantages for homeowners is the short construction period. CLT elements are delivered directly to the construction site on a "just-in-time" basis, often in open-top containers, and require cranage for installation. Because it is a dry construction method, buildings are ready for occupancy much faster than traditional builds, with minimal noise and dust emissions during the assembly process.

Sustainability and Climate Benefits

CLT is a carbon-negative building solution. It stores carbon for the life of the timber, helping to mitigate climate change. Key environmental benefits include:

• Carbon Capture: For every cubic metre of dry finished plantation softwood produced, approximately 699 kilograms of CO2 is removed from the atmosphere.

• Sustainable Sourcing: Leading Australian providers use sustainably managed plantation pine or hardwood, such as Tasmanian Plantation Oak.

• Local Supply: Sourcing CLT from Australian facilities reduces project risks associated with international shipping, import taxes, and currency fluctuations.

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Safety and Performance

Modern CLT is engineered to meet strict structural and fire-protection requirements. Some advanced hardwood CLT products have achieved a 120-minute fire certification, making them some of the safest timber products available. Additionally, the use of melamine adhesives in some panels provides superior fire performance, as they are resistant to heat and do not exhibit premature "char fall-off" during a fire.

By choosing CLT, homeowners invest in a solid wood construction with lasting value that provides a healthy, comfortable room climate while significantly reducing the home's overall environmental footprint.