The East Vancouver Cohousing Design Team is working to sequester carbon as much as possible through Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and other wood construction. Perhaps if we capture as much carbon as possible, ennoble the wood, and ennoble our spaces, rather than burn it or let it rot, we can slow down global warming a tiny bit and buy ourselves some time, so that we can make serious progress to the other new technologies like carbon to clean energy so that we can then begin to cease global warming.
Mass timber is a category of wood product that is made by nailing and gluing wood panels together. Some mass timber products include:
Cross Laminated Timber
Dowel-Laminated Timber
Nail-Laminated Timber
Glue-Laminated Timber
Mass Plywood Panel
Laminated Veneer Lumber
Parallel Strand Lumber
Laminated Strand Lumber
CLT is a strong, lightweight, low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel. The total CO2 emissions from material production for the entire CLT building were reduced by almost 50% compared to concrete and steel buildings. The product also consists of 50% carbon by dry weight, making it effective carbon stores well into the future, thereby lowering the global warming in real time.
Throughout its entire lifecycle, including the harvesting of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, construction, and eventual disposal or recycling, CLT exhibits lower embodied energy, generates reduced air and water pollution, and leaves a smaller environmental footprint compared to the other structural materials.
“One train car holds 100 tons of coal, or 286 tons of atmospheric carbon.”
“Building a CLT building without a parking garage saves 24 train cars of coal.”
The solid wood wall, featuring a four-inch wood layer and an additional 6.5 inches of mineral wool on the exterior, effectively retains sound, particularly the bass tones.
Warm and natural appearance of CLT adds a pleasing atmosphere to interior spaces. Its wooden texture can enhance the ambiance of a room when combined with natural light. Large windows and openings in CLT buildings allow ample sunlight to penetrate, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.
CLT panels provide good air tightness when correctly installed. CLT is also a vapor permeable and vapor retardant construction material. Its vapor permeability allows it to regulate moisture levels and prevent the buildup of excessive indoor humidity, which can contribute to mold and mildew growth.
When exposed to fire, the outer layer of CLT creates an insulating barrier that protects the inner layers. This charring effect slows down the burning rate and maintains the main structure for a longer duration during a fire event.
And this is why we believe that CLT will meet the criteria for our most important design goals, such as sustainability, community, acoustics, light, air, low moisture, fire and more.
Sustainability: There is no underestimating the huge significance of carbon sequestrating in the short term – to buy us a little time until other technologies catch up – its existential.
Community: Warm and giving, I want to be there, “I love my community.” We did something together, that I could never do on my own.
Acoustics: Lower overall reverberation, better STC (sound deadening coefficient) and IIC (impact deadening coefficient).
Natural light: Easier to have high windows.
Air: Easier to not “baffle” the air – easier cross ventilation.
Moisture: The buildings are easier to quality control.
Fire: Outside charring.