What is CLT?
How is it built?
Składa się z nieparzystej liczby warstw (zazwyczaj od 3 do 7) desek z tarcicy iglastej (polska sosna i fiński świerk), ułożonych prostopadle do siebie w sąsiednich warstwach i sklejonych pod dużym ciśnieniem.
What is CLT?
CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber, or cross-laminated wood) is a modern, multi-layered engineering material used in building construction.
Why this arrangement?
The cross-beam system dramatically increases the dimensional stability of the wood and allows for the transfer of enormous loads in both directions (both vertically and horizontally).
Where are they used? (Application)
Supporting and structural walls
As massive, fully reinforced structural elements in single-family and multi-family buildings.
Ceilings and roofs
Thanks to their high stiffness, CLT panels are perfect for large-format ceilings with a large span and roof cladding.
Single-family houses
(modern, energy-efficient, passive)
Multi-family and commercial construction
(e.g. apartment buildings, office buildings).
Public utility facilities
(schools, kindergartens, sports halls, cultural facilities).
Extensions and renovations of existing buildings
(due to its relatively low weight compared to concrete).
Advantages of CLT (Why it is worth it?)
Rapid construction time (Prefabrication)
• The panels are cut in the factory ready to be installed (along with the holes for windows, doors and installation tracks).
• The installation of the raw material on the construction site takes only a few days, is carried out „dry” and does not generate the traditional mess associated with concrete, nor any technological interruptions for binding the material.
Strength and stability (Concrete wood)
• Constructively, CLT is sometimes called „wood-concrete” – it offers exceptional load-bearing capacity while maintaining a relatively low own weight.
• Excellent structural and seismic stability (the flexibility of the wood allows it to absorb vibrations).
Healthy microclimate and comfort in the interior
• Wood „breathes” and naturally regulates the humidity of the air in the rooms.
• CLT walls are pleasant to the touch and warm, which provides a unique psychological comfort and
the physical residents.
Ecology and negative carbon footprint
• Wood is a renewable resource; during the growth of trees, it absorbs and binds carbon dioxide (CO_2), which remains „locked” in the building structure for decades.
• The production of CLT is significantly more energy-efficient and generates less emissions than the production of steel or cement.
High fire resistance
• Contrary to myths, massive wood burns predictably. During a fire, the outer layers carbonize, creating a protective barrier that maintains the structural integrity of the element for a very long time (even for several dozen/several hundred minutes), allowing time for evacuation.
