Written and provided by FTMA Strategic Partner, Timberlink.
NeXTimber® by Timberlink® was thrilled to present at the recent Timber Construct conference in Melbourne. Jeremy Church, General Manager – NeXTimber® Technical & Sales, participated in a panel discussion led by Kersten Gentle titled “Timber Takes on Housing Shortfall.”
Jeremy presented on the opportunities of a hybrid solution of using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) and lightweight timber framing. This involves combining CLT floors, lightweight timber framed walls, and where required, high-capacity CLT shear walls.
This construction technique has become common placed in North America and can offer many benefits to address the issue of the housing shortfall in the midrise sector by leveraging the major strengths of both systems, offering a cost competitive building solution.
Key benefits of using Light Timber Framing:
- Provides structural load bearing and bracing capacity.
- A cost-efficient use of timber fibre and resource.
- Allows for routing of electrical and hydraulic services.
- The existing F&T market already has the materials and capabilities required.
- Materials can be procured close to the manufacturing site reducing freight and logistics costs.
- Prefabricated components can be manufactured offsite and tailored to the capabilities of the manufacturer.
Key benefits of using CLT:
- Offsite components are prefabricated and manufactured with a high degree of accuracy.
- It is a robust structural platform that is immediately trafficable and allows for the pre-fitment of temporary handrails and fall arrest systems, creating a safe working platform.
- Can be designed to provide fire separation and isolation between floors without the need for additional fire protective layers.
- Generally has thinner structural profiles compared to traditional timber floors.
- Presents the opportunity to expose the natural aesthetic that timber provides.
- Can be coordinated in the digital space with a federated design model, taking into account services penetrations and services.
If this solution is of interest to you, please contact Ben Wright, Timberlink® National Prefabrication Manager (ben.wright@timberlinkaustralia.com.au), to discuss further.
NeXTimber® by Timberlink® manufactures Australian made Engineered Wood Products (EWP) and provides mass timber building solutions with CLT panels and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) members. NeXTimber® Engineered Wood Products are manufactured on Timberlink’s South Australian site from Timberlink® timber, sourced from responsibly managed Australian pine plantations. Visit nextimber.com.au for more information.
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