Cross Laminated Timber

Wood is the oldest building material but Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), is the future

of wood. Considered to be the most versatile of building products, CLT is making

the construction of residential and commercial structures more innovative, efficient, sus-

tainable and cost effective. The unique benefits of CLT don’t end with construction - CLT is

being used by a host of diverse industries including oil and gas, agriculture, recreation,

forestry and many other related government agencies. SmartLam, as the first Cross Lami-

nated Timber manufacturer in the United States, has and is uncovering those endless pos-

sibilities.

The technology behind CLT is a high - level extension of the technology used to manufac-

ture plywood. In fact, CLT has often been described as “Plywood on Steroids”. Like ply-

wood, CLT is made of several layers of wood which are bonded together by an adhesive.

Each layer of wood, or ply, is usually oriented with its grain running at right angles to the

adjacent layer. CLT’s exterior layers ’ grains run lengthways in order to improve the

strength of the finished product. This “cross-laminating” of the layers of wood veneer

improves the structural properties of CLT by distributing the along-the-grain strength of

wood in both directions. This means that CLT panels are ideal building materials for floors,

walls and roofs.

While CLT is a timber product, it is not a timber frame product. It is a timber panel product

that has similar characteristics to that of a pre-cast concrete panel. These panels are often

referred to as 'tilt up timber' or 'pre-cast timber panels.’ Because they are much lighter than

concrete, CLT panels allow for structures to be erected with considerably less cost and

significantly less labor resulting in fewer time delays and greater productivity.

CONTACT US:

MAIN OFFICE:

335 Spokane Avenue

Whitefish, MT 59937

Tel: (406) 862-0098

Fax: (406) 862-7847

www.smartlam.com

info@smartlam.com

A SMALL COMPANY MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE

Cross

Laminated

Timber

Originally developed in Switzerland in the 1970s,

CLT is rapidly increasing in popularity in Eu-

rope. Only in recent years has it been adopted into

practice in the United States as a viable alternative

to more traditional building practices. Last year, the

American National Standards Association approved

ANSI/APA PRG 320-2012 Standard for Perfor-

mance-Rated Cross-Laminated Timber. This is a

product standard that details manufacturing and

performance requirements for qualification and

quality assurance. CLT was also recently included

in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC). In

some areas, where the 2015 IBC has not yet been

adopted, several innovative architects and design-

ers have already specified and built CLT structures

in the U.S. and Canada by having had them ap-

proved under their local building code as an alterna-

tive building system.

The potential for use of CLT as a sustainable build-

ing material is quickly becoming a reality in North

America. SmartLam, as the original US manufactur-

er of CLT, is already ahead of the curve. The poten-

tial of CLT as a sustainable building material is just

beginning to be realized around the globe. Driving

the demand for architectural CLT in North America

is the need to provide a lighter, low carbon, renewa-

ble, and sustainable building material to

architects, engineers, developers, and

contractors. CLT encompasses all of

these properties and more.

DURABILITY

With proper design and maintenance, wood structures can provide long and useful ser-

vice lives equivalent to other building materials. The key is careful planning and under-

standing of environmental loads and other external factors likely to impact a building

over its lifetime.

STRENGTH AND STABILITY

CLT panels form a robust, structurally strong building system that outperforms anything

currently available in the USA. Cross lamination provides for superior dimensional sta-

bility and offers significant shear strength performance at a very unique weight to

strength ratio compared to other common structural materials.

SEISMIC RESILIENCE

Because of their dimensional stability and rigidity, CLT panels create an effective lateral

load resisting system. Researchers have conducted extensive seismic testing on CLT

and found panels to perform exceptionally well with no residual deformation, particularly

in multi-story applications. In Japan, for example, a seven-story CLT building was test-

ed on the world’s largest shake table. It survived 14 consecutive seismic events with

almost no damage. CLT also offers good ductile behavior and energy dissipation.

ACCOUSTICS

Test results show that because the mass of the wall contributes to acoustic perfor-

mance, CLT building systems provide superior noise control for both airborne and im-

pact sound transmission. CLT building systems offer additional acoustic benefits with

the use of sealants and other types of membranes to provide air tightness and improve

sound insulation at the interfaces between the floor and wall plates.

THERMAL PERFORMANCE

CLT’s thermal performance is determined by its U-value, or coefficient of heat transfer,

which relates to panel thickness. Thicker panels have lower U-values; they are better

insulators and therefore require little or no insulation. Since CLT panels can be manu-

factured using CNC equipment to precise tolerances, panel joints also fit tighter, which

results in better energy efficiency for the structure. Because the panels are solid, there

is nearly zero air infiltration into the building envelope. As a result, interior temperatures

of a finished CLT structure can be maintained with just one-third the normally required

heating or cooling energy.

FIRE RESISTANCE

CLT’s thick cross-section provides valuable and superior fire resistance. Due to its

mass, CLT panels char slowly. Once charred, combustion slows and eventually stops

as the oxygen source is removed. CLT assemblies also have fewer concealed spaces,

which reduces a fire’s ability to spread undetected. CLT structures suffer less degrada-

tion than concrete and steel structures in a catastrophic fire event.

MOISTURE MANAGEMENT & VAPOR DIFFUSION

Wood is naturally hygroscopic and inherently serves as a moisture management sys-

tem within a building envelope. Ideally manufactured at 12% moisture content, woods

inherent ability to absorb and emit moisture can naturally stabilize an indoor environ-

ment. The vapor permeable nature of wood allows CLT to transfer molecular moisture

without trapping it and creating conditions for mold and decay. CLT buildings ‘breathe’,

minimizing the risk for mold growth and maximizing the comfort of its occupants.

ENVIRONMENTAL

SmartLam CLT is manufactured from trees harvested in sustainably managed

forests. The raw materials for SmartLam CLT are sourced exclusively from small and

medium diameter timber. This responsible cultivation practice maintains and even en-

hances the long-term productivity and health of the forest. CLT provides a number of

environmental benefits in addition to its excellent thermal performance. Wood is the

only major building material that grows naturally and is renewable. Life cycle assess-

ment studies consistently show that wood outperforms steel and concrete in terms of

embodied energy, air pollution and water pollution. CLT also has a lighter carbon foot-

print as wood products continue to store carbon absorbed by the trees while growing,

and engineered wood manufacturing requires significantly less energy to produce than

concrete and steel. This represents a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emis-

sions.

HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

The only constituents of a CLT building system are wood and a non-toxic/non-VOC

adhesives. CLT building materials do not introduce any toxins into the indoor environ-

ment providing clean indoor air quality. In addition, the CLT wall systems are naturally

breathable, which, integrated with appropriate mechanical systems, will result in a

healthy indoor environment that maximizes occupant comfort and health.

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS

The longevity of CLT components ensures that the future value of any structure

remains high. CLT buildings are easily altered and remodeled and are also fully

recyclable once they reach the end of their useful life. With the utilities located to

the interior of the building, not enmeshed with structural and insulating systems,

buildings can be easily remodeled.

COST EFFECTIVENESS

Comparing the cost of CLT versus certain concrete, masonry and steel building

types and including the advantages of faster construction time and lower founda-

tion costs, the estimated total costs of CLT structures can be very competitive.

DESIGN FLEXIBILITY

CLT has unique structural properties that allow architects and designers increased

flexibility of design allowing for distinctive and innovative projects. Due to wood's

inherent ductility and unique strength to weight ratio, wood offers many ad-

vantages over the other common structural materials such as masonry, concrete,

and steel.

SPEED OF BUILD

From one-person builders to large construction companies, CLT structural sys-

tems will arrive on-site ready to assemble, saving time and money with a swift and

accurate building process.

REDUCED WASTE

CLT panels are manufactured for specific end-use applications, which results in

little to no job site waste. Plus, manufacturers can reuse fabrication scraps for

stairs and other architectural elements. SmartLam is a "zero waste" facility and

utilizes all of our residuals either through re-purposing, as wood product constitu-

ents, or bio-fuel.

SmartLam is proud to introduce its newest product line: SmartLam Balcony Systems.

With Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) gaining popularity as a building material in the

United States for its durability, cost effectiveness and innovative design, it is the logical

next step for the balcony industry. SmartLam is now offering both CLT and aluminum

frame balconies as well as a hybrid option aluminum frame with a CLT panel insert.

Frameless CLT Inset Balcony

Balcony Systems

■ Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Balconies

■ Aluminum Frame with CLT Insert

■ Standard and Custom Railing Options

■ Multi-family and Condominium Balconies

■ Remodel and New Construction Applications

■ Rooftop Walkways

Frameless CLT Balcony

■ Durable

■ Innovative Design

■ Low Maintenance

■ Cost Effective

■ Easy Installation

■ Versatile Product

■ Custom Options Available

SmartLam Balcony Systems

Aluminum Frame with CLT Insert

Our Company

SmartLam, the first manufacturer of Cross Laminated Timber products in the United States, is located

in Columbia Falls, Montana, near beautiful Glacier National Park. Our 40,000 square foot facility is currently

producing over 1 million board feet of Cross Laminated Timber per month. Due to the rising demand of our

product and the new industries we can serve, we are building a new, state of the art facility. This new facility

will significantly increase our production and finishing capabilities, and enable us to expand our architectural

grade product line.

We are fortunate to live in, and have access to, some of the finest renewable and sustainable natural timber

resources on the planet. Our wood, primarily Douglas Fir, Western Larch, Engelmann Spruce, Lodge Pole

Pine, and Alpine Fir, is sourced from regional forest vendors within 200 miles of our production plant. These

trees grow slowly and make some of the strongest lumber in the world.

RELATIONSHIPS

From the very beginning SmartLam has worked tirelessly to develop open, honest, and collaborative relationships. From our

employees, customers, vendors and even with our competitors, we believe relationships are the cornerstone of any successful

business and we are proud of the productive and collaborative relationships we have forged.

INNOVATION

Innovation is on our menu every day. We are constantly seeking to improve what we do, how we do it, and who we do it with.

We celebrate and encourage innovation with all of our people and at every stage of our operations. Our focus on Innovation is

demonstrated in our unique, creative, and diverse product lines as well as our efficient and effective manufacturing process.

PEOPLE

SmartLam has invested significant time and energy into sourcing an exceptional team of people. We have worked hard to pro-

vide a safe, friendly, respectful, yet robust workplace for our team. We value our human resources because we recognize these

people are responsible for our company's success. We have and will continue to make every effort to acknowledge, reward,

incent, and promote those people who commit themselves to our company's growth, evolution, and profitability, all the while

keeping them safe. Safety is "job number 1" at SmartLam and is a natural and fundamental part of our culture. SmartLam is

committed to having the absolute best people and providing our people the culture and environment that best supports them and

their families.

PROCESS

The SmartLam manufacturing process is a blend of art and science that we continue to improve and evolve over time. We prac-

tice “Lean Manufacturing” and “Continuous Improvement” and you can be guaranteed every product we produce is of the high-

est quality and consistency. We take great pride in what we do and how we do it. Quality Control is clearly defined, understood,

and specifically executed at every stage of our manufacturing process.

LEADERSHIP

SmartLam is the first CLT manufacturer in the USA, and we take our leadership role to heart. Our goal is to become the “Gold

Standard” in global CLT manufacturing and pave the way for this critically important industry in North America. Through a combi-

nation of our Human Resources and our Natural Resources we are building the foundation for the growing CLT industry in the

USA.

ENVIRONMENT

Cross Laminated Timber can make a profoundly positive influence on our Environment. The combination of sustainable forestry

practices, carbon emissions reduction, and energy efficiency, make CLT the obvious choice for the perfect building material.

Wood is the only major building material that grows naturally and is renewable. Replacing masonry, concrete, and steel in any

application will make a meaningful difference to the health and long term viability of our planet. SmartLam is proud to be part of

a global solution!