According to a survey by the Structural Timber Association, a staggering 74% of the UK's contractors, developers, architects and registered providers revealed that they plan to increase specifications of structural timber due to benefits such as thermal, acoustic and sustainability performance, together with speed of build.
The key is in the strength to weight ratio of the engineered timber - factory manufactured to exacting standards - CLT is an extremely stable solution which has little shrinkage or movement post construction.
It has proven multi-storey capability, up to nine floors in the UK and a structural capacity beyond this. Typical walls for five to six storey construction are often in the region of 100-140mm thick solid timber.
The X-LAM Alliance has BOPAS accreditation which provides assurances to the lending community that their structures will deliver a consistent performance over a determined durability of 60 years.
As designers, manufacturers and constructors involved in offsite manufactured systems, B & K Structures, the UK partner of the X-LAM Alliance, has been rigorously audited and approved to maintain the highest levels of quality assurance throughout the process - ensuring that their construction systems are permitted for integrity, durability and performance. This means that developers linked to BOPAS manufacturers and constructors have lending approvals-in-principle, and can proceed with housing projects with confidence and offer properties for sale, safe in the knowledge that the construction methods used, meet with the lenders mortgage standards.
Using CLT delivers programme certainty and enhances the construction programme, as well as offering exceptional accuracy and minimal defects. Using offsite construction with a rapid large panel construction method also reduces the concern of weather dependency. CLT delivers sustainable outcomes that are key for environmentally conscious developers and residents. Exposed timber creates a natural, inviting and calming environment as well as generating a peaceful space with enhanced acoustic properties that dampen sound. In addition to all of the above, the speed of CLT construction delivers a faster return on investment - a crucial benefit for housing developers and ultimately, the new owners who may have purchased their home ‘off plan' and are eager to complete the purchase and move in.
CLT is extensively used by developers, planners, architects, main contractors, structural engineers and social housing stakeholders. CLT is a commercially viable option for medium rise residential projects of up to ten storeys and can be used for projects specifying high energy efficiency, urban sites within high density population areas, sites with limited access and restricted boundaries as well as Brownfield and Greenfield sites.
The X-LAM Alliance's award winning team provide an all-encompassing in-house design, engineering, manufacturing and installation service for Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structures across all construction sectors.
At the forefront of European CLT research and development, the X-LAM Alliance is an innovative partnership that brings to the UK construction market a seamless and consistent method of supplying certified packages across all construction sectors, including medium rise housing.
