COMMERCIAL construction in the South East is poised ready for the possibilities of cross-laminated timber, according to industry expert Judy Barnett.
Ms Barnett, who founded the Timber Estimator’s Association and has worked in the timber industry for three decades, visited the Blue Lake city this week to present to the Mount Gambier Timber Industry Club.
Speaking to The Border Watch during her visit, Ms Barnett discussed the capacity for timber to replace steel and concrete in commercial projects – reducing construction costs and boosting the local timber market.
She said she was inspired to impart her knowledge following a wood solutions tour in Europe, where cross-laminated timber (CLT), structural wood panels with exceptional strength and dimensional stability, was in high demand.
“Changes to the national building code mean the timber industry is now able to compete with multi-level concrete frame buildings,” Ms Barnett explained.
“The time and cost of construction for commercial projects can be drastically reduced – the largest cross laminated timber building in Canada is 18-storey and was built in 66 days.
“There is really the potential for the timber industry to crack into commercial construction if we can get builders to take the leap.”
Ms Barnett said CLT commercial buildings in Europe demonstrated inspired architecture.
“The factories producing CLT in Europe are almost entirely automated and the timber hotels and buildings we visited were incredible,” she said.
“Timber is more durable than steel, a greener and more environmentally friendly product, locks together without steel fixings, is completely sound proof and suitable for all weather conditions.
“CLT is fire resistant and unlike steel remains structurally stable when subjected to high temperatures.”
Ms Barnett said while CLT and curved glulam would initially need to be imported, local industry had the capacity to produce CLT products in future.
“Until we can get builders to use CLT for commercial projects it’s about promoting the product,” she said.
“Local timber processors certainly have the potential to produce CLT – instead of supplying $20,000 worth of timber for residential projects they could supply minimum $200,000 for a commercial project.
“Right now Australia is building several multi-storey mass timber projects – greater demand will expand the forestry market and timber processors will have the option to supply a high-end product.
“Our construction industry is poised ready for the possibilities.”
