Mass timber construction uses large prefabricated wood panels and beams to create strong, efficient, and visually striking structures. Common systems include glulam, CLT, DLT, and NLT, which can form walls, floors, roofs, beams, and other structural components with excellent strength, span, stability, and design flexibility.
Woodpecker brings more than 20 years of timber expertise to mass timber projects, supporting custom homes, commercial buildings, community spaces, and large-scale architectural projects. Valued for its sustainability, efficient installation, structural performance, and natural beauty, mass timber can be left exposed to showcase the warmth of wood while pairing seamlessly with steel, glass, and concrete in modern design.
Mass timber is suited to a wide range of residential, commercial, institutional, and public projects, from custom homes and recreation centres to civic buildings, schools, offices, and multi-storey developments. Glulam beams work well for long spans and open spaces, while CLT, DLT, and NLT panels can be used for walls, floors, ceilings, and roofs.
With its strength, speed of installation, and clean architectural finish, mass timber offers a durable alternative to conventional construction, especially for projects where structure, sustainability, and design are equally important.
Common applications include:
Mass timber systems can be used for:
Woodpecker supplies high-quality mass timber components for projects across Western Canada and the U.S. Whether you’re building a custom home, recreation centre, commercial space, or mid-rise structure, our mass timber systems are selected for strength, efficiency, sustainability, and speed on site.
Glulam, or glued-laminated timber, is made by bonding layers of dimensional lumber with durable, non-toxic adhesives. It is commonly used for beams, posts, and long-span structural elements, offering excellent strength, stability, and design flexibility. Glulam can also be curved for distinctive architectural forms and is often left exposed for its natural beauty and strong fire performance.
Cross-laminated timber, or CLT, is made from layers of dimensional lumber stacked at alternating 90-degree angles. This cross-laminated structure gives CLT excellent strength, stability, and multi-directional spanning capacity. CLT panels are commonly used for walls, floors, ceilings, and roof systems in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings.
Dowel-laminated timber, or DLT, is made by stacking dimensional lumber and securing it with friction-fit hardwood dowels. Because it uses no adhesives or nails, DLT is a strong option for projects seeking a low-chemical or all-wood panel system. It is typically used for floors, ceilings, and roof structures, and can be efficiently shaped using CNC fabrication.
Nail-laminated timber, or NLT, is made by placing dimensional lumber on edge and fastening the boards together with nails. NLT panels are often designed in manageable sizes for easier handling and installation. Like DLT, NLT is commonly used for floors, ceilings, and roofs where strength, texture, and efficiency are important.
Mass timber offers practical advantages throughout the life of a building, from faster installation and structural performance to sustainability and occupant comfort.
Mass timber has strong natural fire resistance because large wood members char on the outside while maintaining structural integrity within. In many applications, this allows mass timber to achieve fire ratings comparable to or greater than unprotected steel, making it suitable for exposed use in commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential buildings.
Whether it’s a custom home, public space, or commercial structure, we deliver precision-cut, beautifully finished mass timber framing, ready to install across Western Canada.
From community centres and hotels to mid-rise homes and public buildings, our mass timber construction speaks for itself. We combine CLT, Glulam, DLT, and NLT systems to deliver projects that are beautiful, efficient, and built to last.
Mass timber is a strong, efficient, and sustainable way to build with wood. These FAQs answer common questions about materials, fire performance, span capabilities, and how mass timber can be used in residential and commercial projects across Canada and the US.
