A new building product being manufactured in New Westminster is promising to revolutionize the construction industry, and perhaps even replace concrete.
Cross laminated timber (CLT) has been used in residential and non-residential buildings in Europe for years, but is only now making a name for itself among builders and architects in North America.
New Westminster’s CST Innovations is the only company in the Lower Mainland that manufactures CLT panels.
Business development manager Mark Zaturecky (pictured) said the product, which is made from glued lumber pieces layered in opposing directions, is still relatively unknown among B.C.’s construction circles.
But that’s changing as more builders and designers are introduced to what’s being lauded as a game-changing technology.
“It’s still in its infancy, but just from a year and a half ago it’s white hot compared to what it was,” Zaturecky said. “It was always a small network of people, a small community that knew about CLT and it’s grown into a new circle.”
CLT proponents, notably the forest sector, say the product’s strength rivals concrete, and it is far more fire-resistant than traditional lumber due to its density.
Architect Michael Katz used CLT to build a 220-square-foot ultra-compact home for display during the Olympic Games.
Today, the maximum height for wood-frame buildings in B.C. is six storeys, but Katz believes CLT is strong enough to support buildings that are 12 storeys or higher.
And on top of that, because it’s wood, CLT is a renewable building product, he said.
“I think CLT is the single most important building product ever,” Katz said.
Check out next week’s edition of Business in Vancouver for more about CLT.