It can be used for an entire building, as both the lateral and vertical load resisting system, or for select elements such as the roof, floors or walls. CLT as a structural panel element is also used as a superior bridging and retaining wall product that replaces heavy timbers, steel, and concrete.
Lumber Selection
SmartLam NA uses Douglas-Fir, Western Larch, Engelman Spruce, Sitka Spruce, White Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, Western Hemlock, Nobel Fir, Red Fir, Grand Fir, Silver Fir, White FirDouglas Fir, Western Larch, Shortleaf Pine, Longleaf Pine, Slash Pine, Loblolly Pine & SPF Grade 2 and Better.
Lumber Drying
The boards are kiln dried to a moisture content of 12% +/- 3%. Proper moisture content provides for proper adhesion and prevents dimensional variations and surface cracking.
Defects
According to the strength and final visual quality, defects such as large knots and resin or bark pockets are removed.
Finger Jointing
The boards are trimmed and finger-jointed to obtain the desired lengths and quality of lumber. SmartLam can produce solid wood panels up to 41’ long. Our new plant will be capable of producing panels 12′ wide and 64′ long.
Panel Assembly
Panels are assembled by placing the finger-jointed boards side-by-side (to achieve the desired length & width) to form solid wood layers. Each succeeding layer is laid perpendicular to the preceding layer.