Cross laminated timber (CLT) is a strong, prefabricated wood panel offering excellent acoustic, fire, seismic, and thermal performance. It's lightweight, easy to install, and environmentally friendly, making it a versatile alternative to concrete, masonry, or steel in construction. In this article, we will find out information about CLT and see what difference between CLT and normal plywood. Also, it is a chance to learn about Vinawood, a leading plywood supplier in Vietnam.
> Read more: plywood sizes, 3/4 plywood, 4x8 plywood, 1/2 plywood, 5/8 plywood, 1/4 plywood
What is cross laminated timber?
CLT is an engineered wood product composed of layers of kiln-dried dimensional lumber (typically three, five, seven, or nine) arranged at right angles and glued together to form structural panels. This cross-lamination provides excellent rigidity in both directions. In some cases, the outer laminations may be parallel rather than alternating crosswise.
> Read more: laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, baltic birch plywood, maple plywood, ACX plywood, BBOES plywood
How is CLT made?
CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) is made through a process that starts with selecting and preparing the lumber. Here's a step-by-step overview of how CLT is fabricated:
- Lumber Selection and Preparation: High-quality kiln-dried lumber is chosen, with defects removed to ensure structural integrity. The lumber is then cut to specific dimensions.
- Adhesive Application: A strong adhesive is applied to the surfaces of the lumber layers.
- Panel Lay-Up: The lumber layers are stacked crosswise, usually in three, five, seven, or nine layers, with each layer oriented at a 90-degree angle to the one below.
- Assembly Pressing: The stacked layers are pressed together to form a solid, cohesive panel. This step is critical for ensuring the layers bond securely.
- Cutting to Size and Prefabrication: Once pressed, the panels are cut to the required dimensions. Additional machining, such as creating recesses, holes, or slots, is done according to the project specifications.
- Quality Control: Rigorous quality checks are conducted to ensure the panels meet specific structural and performance standards before they leave the factory.
- Final Assembly and Delivery: The finished panels are then packaged and delivered to the construction site, ready for installation.
CLT panels are often manufactured for specific projects, tailored to the required size, shape, and other specifications. Advanced technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) are frequently used to ensure precise fabrication. Additionally, CLT can be combined with concrete in a timber-concrete composite (TCC) system to enhance structural performance, such as increasing spans and reducing noise and vibrations.
> Read more: purple heart wood, clapboard, what is a board foot, cross laminated timber, how far apart are wall studs, fire rated plywood, kiln dried wood
What is CLT used for?
CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) is versatile and used in various structural applications, including:
- Floors: CLT panels provide strong, stable flooring for both residential and commercial buildings, supporting high loads and spanning large distances.
- Walls: As load-bearing walls, CLT panels offer excellent resistance to compressive and racking forces, making them suitable for multistory structures.
- Roofing: CLT is used in roofing systems, providing durability and strength while allowing for longer spans.
> Discover more: burnt plywood floor, plywood edge banding, plywood garage walls, plywood kitchen cabinets
What are the disadvantages of cross-laminated timber?
Here are cross laminated timber disadvantages
- Higher Cost: CLT is generally more expensive than traditional materials like steel or concrete.
- Code Restrictions: Building codes may limit the height of timber structures, affecting project scope.
- Service Installation Costs: Installing electrical, plumbing, and other services can be more complex and costly due to the absence of wall cavities.
- Design Costs: Architectural and design expenses may be higher due to the need for precise specifications and advanced planning.
- Transportation Costs: Transporting CLT can be costly due to the limited number of manufacturing facilities and the need for large panels.
> Learn more:
What is the difference between cross laminated timber vs plywood?
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and normal plywood are both engineered wood products, yet they differ significantly in construction, properties, and applications.
> Discover more: softwoods types, 3/4 vs 5/8 thickness, density of plywood, wood and plywood, what size plywood for mobile home floor, which plywood is best for wardrobe
Construction
CLT consists of multiple layers of solid wood boards, with each layer oriented perpendicular to the one below it. This cross-laminated structure gives CLT exceptional strength and stability. In contrast, plywood is made from thin wood veneers, with the grain direction of each ply positioned perpendicular to the adjacent layers. This cross-grain configuration also enhances plywood's strength and stability, though it differs in composition and application compared to CLT.
> Learn more: how thick should subfloor be, types of wallboard, film faced plywood, using plywood outside, plywood manufacturers in usa
Properties
CLT's cross-laminated design makes it incredibly strong and stable, making it ideal for large-scale structural applications. Its thick panels also offer better fire resistance by charring on the outside, which protects the inner layers. While plywood is strong and stable, it doesn't match CLT's structural capabilities and has less fire resistance due to its thinner layers. However, plywood's strength is sufficient for a variety of uses, including furniture and cabinetry.
> Explore further: bboes plywood, hardwood flooring, laminated plywood, luan underlayment, plywood projects
Applications
CLT is predominantly used in large construction projects like Cross laminated timber buildings and bridges, thanks to its ability to be manufactured in large panels. This not only speeds up construction but also reduces the number of joints. In contrast, plywood is more commonly used in everyday applications such as flooring, roofing, and wall sheathing due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness.
> Read more: 1/8 inch plywood, 15/32 plywood, 15/32 plywood, 19/32 plywood, 5x10 plywood
Is CLT cheaper than concrete?
Cross laminated timber cost for materials and labor can be lower than traditional steel or concrete. Material cost savings may be as much as 15% for mid-rise residential buildings. This is because CLT is lighter, requiring a smaller foundation, which reduces overall construction costs.
> Get more details: pine plywood, ac plywood, bamboo plywood, bendable plywood,poplar plywood
Will CLT Burn in a Fire?
CLT, like other mass timber products, is inherently fire-resistant due to its charring properties. When exposed to fire, CLT forms a protective char layer on its surface, which slows down combustion and retains structural strength. This provides valuable time for evacuation. Additionally, CLT construction helps contain fires within specific compartments, preventing them from spreading throughout the building.
> Get more details: composite decking colors, hardwood vs softwood, how wide is a stud, wood structure, bathroom subfloor, how to build a wood truss
In this article, the Vinawood team aims to help you gain a better understanding of cross laminated timber. Please check our website for the latest Vietnam plywood news. Also, if you are considering purchasing Vietnam plywood, visit Vinawood's website for more detailed information.
> Learn more:
- Can you stain pressure treated wood
- What is CDX plywood
- What is the best outdoor plywood
- Plywood for cabinets
- How to waterproof plywood
