What is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)?

by Stefan Gheorghe

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a mass timber product made by gluing together layers of kiln-dried solid wood, usually spruce, pine, or fir—with each layer laid perpendicular to the one below. This cross-lamination enhances strength, stability, and load distribution in both directions.

What is Cross Laminated Timber cLT

How CLT Is Made

  • Lumber Selection: Kiln-dried, defect-free softwood (e.g., spruce, fir).
  • Layering: 3, 5, 7, or more layers stacked at 90° angles.
  • Adhesive Bonding: Structural glue secures layers under high pressure.
  • Panel Sizes: Custom sizes prefabricated for walls, floors, or roofs.

Common Applications

  1. Floors, walls, and roofs
  2. Load-bearing and shear walls
  3. Prefabricated modules and mass timber buildings
  4. Mid-rise and high-rise wood construction

Benefits of CLT

  • Structural Strength: High load-bearing capacity and stiffness
  • Dimensional Stability: Resists warping, shrinking, and swelling
  • Fast Construction: Prefab panels reduce on-site build time
  • Sustainability: Made from renewable wood, stores carbon
  • Fire Resistance: Chars predictably, maintaining structural integrity
  • Acoustic & Seismic Performance: Performs well in noise isolation and earthquakes
  • Aesthetic Appeal: Can be left exposed for a clean, natural look

The post What is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)? appeared first on Homedit.

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