What a difference a few years can make. The 2021 IBC guidelines for buildings of Type IV construction divided the classification into three categories: IV-A (buildings up to 18 stories), IV-B (12 stories), and IV-C (nine stories). In IV-B buildings, the amount of exposed timber ceilings permitted was only 20%.However, in 2024, IV-B was updated to allow 100% exposed timber ceilings. With this change, architects are now free to embrace the natural aesthetic of timber without hiding it behind dropped ceilings, creating even more opportunities for biophilic living and working environments in mid-rise buildings.

To explore mass timber possibilities for your next project, contact our team at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes. We’re excited by the opportunities mass timber presents to the US market and are ready to help you achieve your architectural and development goals.