Do the words ‘timber construction’ bring traditional clapboard houses or log cabins to your mind? Then think again! Timber construction has come a long way since then with mass timber construction methods that provide cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions for your construction needs.
What is Mass Timber Construction?
Mass timber uses the latest technology and engineering to create large format structural panels that can be used for walls floors and roofs There are a number of different types of panels produced by altering the form of wood fibre that is used and the type of laminating used to combine the fibre together. Panel types inclde CLT (cross laminted timber), NLT (nail laminated timber), GLT (glue laminated timber) , LSL (lateral strand laminate), DLT (dowel laminated timber), MPP (mass plywood panels) and LVL (lateral strand laminate). Heavy timber refers to post and beam construction using soild sawn timber or engineered wood such as glulam, LVL and LSL. It is now often referred to as mass timber, however, there are still some of us timber nerds that like to maintain the contrast.,. These engineered-wooden products are manufactured and fabricated in a shop prior to being delivered to site.Prefabricated materials are streamed to site strategically so that many of the components can be hoisted directly off the trucks and into place.Mass timber can be used as an alternative to structural steel or concrete construction but is also used in combination with both steel and concrete in what is often referred to as a hybrid..
Mass timber solutions are being increasingly used to create buildings taller than six storeys. In fact, British Columbia is leading the way when it comes to mass timber solutions with the height limit for wood buildings having risen from six storeys to 12 through the Tall Wood Initiative.
Benefits of Mass Timber Construction:
Mass timber solutions offer many benefits.
- The wood used is derived from sustainable forestry methods, making it a renewable resource.
- Wood is lighter than concrete and steel and offers a reduction in the required size of the foundation as a way to reduce costs and material used on site.
- The inherent flexibility of wood and the innovative structural designs mean that mass timber buildings perform well under high wind loads and earthquakes.
- Unlike steel which quickly become structurally compromised when exposed to high heat, during a fire mass timber maintains structural integrity for longer by creating a ‘char layer’ that protects the internal structure of the wood. This makes it a smart choice. .
- Since many of the components are manufactured offsite, the actual installation is faster than traditional construction methods.
Our Products and Services
F3 Timber Technologies provides tools, services and solutions to bring your next mass timber construction project to fruition. Our years of experience put us in a unique position to provide you with the sequencing and logistics advice you need to manage your mass timber project right from conception to completion. Our CRUX Bracket Bracing System is designed to manage temporary bracing challenges ranging from simple to complex. The CRUX bracket is also engineered to be used as a lifting device making lifting columns safe and easy and having the ability to tie bracing into the same bracket before it is let off the hook. ,Our BRGN plate lifting system is designed for speed, versatilityand practicality. Cycle times of 6 minutes or better are achieved easily and consistently when proper guidelines are used. The plates are engineered for hoisting flat panels and framed panels as well as tilting tilting wall panels . They are easily stored flat and can be pre-mounted to panels with minimal dunnage requirements. , Our Glued Rod Imbeds offer increased speed and accuracy installing glued in rods and have shown to improve structural performance. They are under ongoing testing to develop engineered values and will eventually be integrated in many innovative connection details down the road.i.. We also offer equipment rentals for our CRUX bracket and BRGN plate systems for those who need mass timber construction equipment for a short period.
The F3 Timber Technologies Advantage
Although mass timber construction is gaining in popularity and is being touted as the ‘newest tech’ in timber construction with many new entrants on the scene, F3 Timber Technologies experience reaches back 16 years. We have contributed to mass timber construction industry’s growth in Canada and provided mass timber solutions when the industry in North America was still in a nascent stage. Since the beginning, our ethos has been to achieve ‘simplicity, practicality and elegance in design, manufacturing and installation’ to ensure cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing buildings. We have honed our expertise over the years to bring the latest designs and innovations in mass timber solutions to you.
F3 Timber Technologies has played an important role in several cutting-edge projects;we provided the BRGN Plate lifting hardware for the UBC Baseball Rose Indoor Training Centre, and UBC Brock Commons. We provided the CRUX temporary bracing system and BRGN Plate lifting hardware forGoogle MT1 office building in Sunnyvale, and provided GRIs for the base column connection for the Malahat Skywalk.
If you are considering mass timber solutions for your next project or if you have any questions, our team at F3 Timber Technologies would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us today.