The benefits of building with heavy timber and mass timber (such as cross-laminated timber or glued laminated timber) for residential purposes are well-known, from biophilic advantages to sustainability and durability. These benefits are also present in commercial builds that use timber, but there are even more that might not be evident at first glance.

Let’s explore the ways timber frame commercial structures offer speed, savings, and innovation, making it an ideal choice for projects from retail to restaurants, offices to apartment buildings, and beyond.

1. Faster Construction & Quicker ROI – In many cases, timber structures can be erected 20–30% faster than their traditional counterparts.¹ This is true of both mass and heavy timber and produces a domino effect of other savings in reduced labor and on-site time. And, because timber elements are most often prefabbed off-site, shorter build times and minimized weather delays mean occupancy can happen sooner — and give a quicker return on investment.
2. Cost Savings & Financial Incentives – In addition to faster build times, timber can reduce construction costs due to its lighter weight in comparison to other materials. This results in fewer trips to the job site and less fuel consumed. Foundations can be less robust because of the lighter weight they will be required to support. Crew sizes can be curtailed as well, lowering labor costs. And in many regions, using mass timber unlocks green building incentives or tax credits. Over the full project life cycle, these savings can make mass timber competitive with, or even more affordable than, steel and concrete.
3. Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility – Unsurprisingly, timber has a much smaller carbon footprint than steel or concrete. In fact, timber sequesters carbon during its growth as a tree, then continues to hold that carbon throughout its time as a structural element. At a time when up to 28% of the earth’s greenhouse gas emissions come from building materials and building operations, these savings make a difference.²
4. Aesthetic & Market Appeal – The atmosphere of timber frame structures appeals to shoppers, visitors, and employees alike — and there are real benefits to working in these environments too. Studies show that productivity improves in a timber setting, as do feelings of well-being, a property known as biophilia. Air quality is also improved, and overall health is better supported whenever someone spends time surrounded by exposed timber.³
   
5. Performance, Durability & Safety – Mass timber products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) are engineered for strength, fire resistance, and longevity. The construction of CLT panels, for instance, with wood members running in perpendicular layers, gives them incredible strength and durability when used vertically or horizontally. Used as wall panels, ceiling elements, and flooring, these materials must meet stringent safety standards.
6. Regulatory Support & Futureproofing – Since 2021, new construction types for timber have allowed for taller structures — up to 18 stories — expanding commercial opportunities dramatically.⁴ Mass timber has since become a go-to material for future-focused construction.

Timber: Smarter, Faster, Greener

As architects and engineers continue to embrace how they can build smarter, faster, and greener, mass and heavy timber are gaining widespread acceptance in the commercial construction landscape. Contact Mid-Atlantic Timberframes to explore how timber can elevate your commercial building project from the merely practical to the exceptional.

Sources

1. “A Guide to Mass Timber Construction: The Future of Sustainable Architecture and the Role of Forestry,” Rayonier, accessed June 26, 2025.
2. “Timber: The Future of Commercial Development?” Janover Commercial Real Estate Loans, accessed June 26, 2025.
3. “Mass Timber Office Development: Case Study,” AIA Orange County, accessed June 26, 2025.
4. “Expanding the Capabilities of Wood Construction Through Mass Timber,” Construction Business Owner, accessed June 26, 2025.