Mass timber

Mass timber is a category of engineered timber product designed for structural applications, offering an alternative to steel and concrete. These products are made by bonding layers of wood together to create large, strong, and stable panels, beams, and columns suitable for building construction.

The UK has seen increasing interest in mass timber as part of the push for low-carbon and net-zero construction, though fire safety regulations—especially following the Grenfell Tower fire—have influenced its use, particularly in taller buildings.

Types of mass timber include:

• Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). Layers of timber boards glued together at right angles, creating strong, rigid panels used for walls, floors, and roofs.
• Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam). Layers of timber bonded with adhesive in a parallel grain orientation, commonly used for beams and columns.
• Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). Thin wood veneers bonded together with adhesives, used for beams, headers, and structural applications.
• Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT) and Dowel-Laminated Timber (DLT). Stacked planks nailed or doweled together, often used for floors and roofs.

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