CLT, or Cross Laminated Timber, is a modern building material that is becoming increasingly popular due to its unique properties and environmental and climate benefits. CLT consists of multiple layers of wood that are glued together at right angles and pressed under hydraulic pressure. This construction gives the material high strength and dimensional stability. CLT can be used in both small and large construction projects, including residential buildings, commercial buildings, and even high-rises.
CLT offers a more sustainable, economical, and efficient solution for the future of construction. With its strong, flexible, and natural properties, combined with shorter construction time than conventional building methods and lower costs, CLT is an excellent alternative to traditional materials such as steel and concrete. As a more environmentally and climate-friendly choice that actively contributes to reducing CO2 emissions in construction, CLT is an important part of future sustainable building solutions.
One of the greatest advantages of CLT is its versatility and wide range of applications. CLT elements are prefabricated, meaning they are precisely tailored to the specific construction project and can be easily assembled on-site. This results in shorter construction times and reduced material waste.
CLT’s layered structure makes it very strong in multiple directions, capable of withstanding compression, tension, and bending. This makes the material suitable for both vertical and horizontal structures such as walls, floors, and roofs. Additionally, CLT has excellent insulating properties due to its low thermal conductivity, which contributes to energy efficiency in buildings by reducing the need for additional insulation.
CLT and glulam are increasingly popular construction materials that are often used together but differ significantly in structure and application. CLT consists of multiple layers of wood glued crosswise, providing strength in multiple directions, making it ideal for walls, floors, and roofs. Glulam, on the other hand, is made of wood lamellas glued together in the same direction. This makes glulam particularly suitable for beams and columns, where high strength is required in one direction. Both materials are strong and more sustainable than other building materials, complementing each other in load-bearing structures.
CLT construction is more sustainable than conventional construction because wood is a renewable resource and a natural material. Trees absorb CO2 as they grow, and the carbon remains stored in the wood until the building is demolished and the materials decompose or are burned. This means that CLT structures can help reduce the overall CO2 emissions of the construction industry. Additionally, the production of CLT elements requires less energy compared to the production of concrete and steel.
The wood we use is FSC or PEFC certified, ensuring that our CLT comes exclusively from responsibly managed forests that prioritize biodiversity, replanting, growth, social responsibility, and economic sustainability.
In addition to environmental benefits, CLT also offers economic advantages. The material is lighter than concrete and steel, often resulting in lower transportation costs. The quick assembly of prefabricated CLT elements also reduces labor costs and shortens construction time.
CLT construction typically requires fewer heavy machines on-site compared to concrete construction, leading to lower expenses for equipment such as cranes. Additionally, CLT buildings can deliver significant energy savings over their lifespan due to the material’s natural insulation properties, reducing energy costs for heating and cooling.
CLT elements are assembled using screws and brackets, making them easy to dismantle. We build according to the “Design for Disassembly” principle—entire constructions can be taken apart and reused in other timber buildings or repurposed into other wood products. This allows the resource to circulate in a sustainable way.
With an increasing global focus on sustainability and climate change, CLT is expected to play a key role in the future of construction. In Denmark and worldwide, more developers and architects are considering CLT as a way to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint and promote biogenic building practices.
CLT’s flexibility and strength allow it to be used in everything from single-family homes to large, complex projects such as schools, office buildings, and high-rises. With ongoing technological advancements and innovative construction processes, CLT will continue to evolve and become a key component in modern architecture and building design.
We love building with wood and want the rest of Denmark to join us. Woodconstruction A/S is the most experienced in timber construction in the Nordic region.