Understanding the Permitting Process for Mass Timber Structures

Mass timber has revitalized the construction industry’s appetite for sustainable, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing structures in both residential and commercial applications. Its benefits when compared to materials like steel and dimensional lumber are winning over architects, builders, and homeowners alike, with new projects beginning every…

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Surviving Hurricanes: Why Timber Frame Structures Can Ride Out the Storm

Hurricanes are Earth’s most intense storms, generating astounding winds and torrential rain. When a hurricane makes landfall, damage is often calculated in the tens of billions of dollars. Homes are destroyed, businesses are ruined, and floodwaters, widespread destruction, and utility interruptions paralyze entire towns. Building with sturdy…

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Sustainable Construction for Corporate Campuses

Corporations are increasingly demanding sustainable office buildings. As younger generations of employees rise through the ranks, they are clamoring for action. The desire to reduce their corporate carbon footprint, the push for offsite construction methods, and a demand for a healthy work environment, both mentally and physically, are driving…

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2024 Greenbuild/Mass Timber+: Lessons on the Future of Mass Timber

On the Leading Edge Attending trade shows provides incredible opportunities to learn about new products directly from the innovators who are bringing them to market. Recently, we had the privilege of exhibiting at the Greenbuild/Mass Timber+ Conference in Philadelphia, and the takeaways were eye-opening. Greenbuild/Mass Timber+ is the world’s…

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Heavy Timber’s 5 Thermal Benefits

The thermal benefits of heavy timber are often an understated advantage in its use as a building material. On a basic level, timber enhances indoor comfort due to its cellular structure and mass. Dense species such as oak and Douglas fir are effective heat sinks, absorbing warm air and slowly releasing it, particularly in comparison to steel, which…

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The Benefits of Biophilic Design

Biophilic design reconnects people with nature through architectural elements that enhance well-being, productivity, and community. As society spends more time indoors, mental and physical health issues arise, which biophilic design can help address. This approach creates tranquil spaces by incorporating organic materials, water features, and abundant…

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6 Reasons Why Douglas Fir Is Ideal for Heavy Timber Construction

Heavy timber construction for residential and commercial structures brings many advantages over cement and steel builds, including its strength, natural beauty, and sustainability. But not all timbers are created equal: To find the ideal mix of load-bearing strength, attractive grain and color, stability, and availability, we need only look to…

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Standardization of Connections

As the popularity of timber frame building grows around the world, standardization of certain hardware components has become inevitable. We’re seeing large national and international hardware distributors introduce connectors that work for a range of applications to bring increased productivity to the office and the jobsite. Standardized product…

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Takeaways from the 2024 International Mass Timber Conference

This year’s International Mass Timber Conference took place at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland March 26–28. It was a welcome opportunity to meet with many architects, builders, engineers, suppliers, and industry professionals, and we came away with several important points that we will reference moving forward. Preparing for the Unknowns There’s…

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Timber’s Advantages Over Steel-and-Wood Hybrid Construction

With the tight schedules of all parties involved in a build, any timing setbacks can snowball into big problems. That’s why mixing framing materials like steel and heavy timber can slow down the process, as each fabricator needs to align their delivery and installation logistics perfectly for the project to continue on schedule. Missed deadlines,…

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