Advancements in wood product technology and systems are driving the momentum for innovative buildings in Canada. Products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), nailed-laminated timber (NLT), glued-laminated timber (GLT), laminated strand lumber (LSL), laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and other large-dimensioned structural composite lumber (SCL) products are part of a bigger classification known as ‘mass timber’.
Although mass timber is an emerging term, traditional post-and-beam (timber frame) construction has been around for centuries. Today, mass timber products can be formed by mechanically fastening and/or bonding with adhesive smaller wood components such as dimension lumber or wood veneers, strands or fibres to form large pre-fabricated wood elements used as beams, columns, arches, walls, floors and roofs. Mass timber products have sufficient volume and cross-sectional dimensions to offer significant benefits in terms of fire, acoustics and structural performance, in addition to providing construction efficiency.
Mass Timber Insurance Action Plan – Phase 1 Report examines one of the most significant barriers to scaling mass timber construction in Canada: access to affordable and reliable insurance.
While mass timber offers clear advantages in sustainability, performance, and long-term value, course-of-construction insurance rates remain disproportionately high—often several times those of concrete and steel—driven largely by limited data and insurer unfamiliarity rather than demonstrated risk.
Led by the Climate Smart Buildings Alliance and the Canadian Wood Council, and supported by Natural Resources Canada, this report summarizes the findings from Phase 1 of a national action plan developed in collaboration with insurance and building industry stakeholders. It evaluates the feasibility of four targeted solutions focused on data sharing, insurer-relevant research, contractor verification, and expanding insurance capacity.
Bringing together technical insight and industry perspectives, the report outlines practical pathways to reduce risk perception, improve market confidence, and unlock greater adoption of mass timber construction across Canada.
This document presents a series of business case studies that explore the financial performance of mass timber projects, providing quantitative data and qualitative insights to help developers and investors assess its economic viability.
Each case study measures investment success, challenges, and lessons learned from the developer’s and project team’s perspectives. Moreover, by analyzing strategy, risk, revenue, cost and schedule, these case studies enable direct comparisons between mass timber and traditional construction methods.
WoodWorks is seeking developers and owners with completed mass timber projects to share data for analysis, supporting education and training in the mass timber sector. The goal is to continuously expand case studies across various sectors and markets. To participate or learn more, please contact a WoodWorks staff member.
The Canadian Wood Council partnered with federal and provincial governments and organizations, as well as key experts, to conduct a series of five fire research burns on a full-scale mass timber structure in Ottawa. The five tests occurred in June 2022. The project supports market acceptance of tall and large mass timber buildings in Canada and encourages the construction of buildings that include mass timber.
With the most certified sustainable forests in the world, Canada is a champion of sustainable forest management and in a position to solidify our global leadership in the bioeconomy and forest sector by advancing mass timber adoption. Mass timber is revolutionizing the building industry as a renewable, nature-based construction material. Recognizing mass timber’s vital role in achieving a low carbon, built environment, the Canadian Wood Council and its partners are dedicated to advancing its adoption.
Purpose
The project was designed to support market acceptance of tall and large mass timber buildings in Canada and encourage the construction of buildings that include mass timber. By designing and executing a series of demonstration fire research tests on a full-scale mass timber structure, and collecting data from tests, the project:
Demonstrated mass timber fire performance to key stakeholders including building officials, fire service and insurance industry
Encouraged building code advancements that will allow for taller and larger wood buildings Support the adoption of the 2020 National Building Code introducing new provisions to allow 12 storey mass timber buildings
Supported future code change proposals and the development of alternative solutions
Encouraged the development of / provide data and information to support the transition toward performance-based codes, long-term strategy
Promoted the adoption of mass timber by developing educational materials for targeted audiences
Supported the maximum use of exposed mass timber elements (visual aesthetic), leading to cost competitive projects and health and wellness benefits
Demonstrated the ability of different mass timber assemblies to maintain structural integrity under, during and post-construction fire scenarios in a way that is comparable to (or superior to) conventional materials.
Supported the transition to Performance-based codes
Objectives
While there is evidence, research, and case studies that demonstrate the comparable, safety and performance of mass timber construction compared to construction using conventional materials like steel and concrete, misconceptions still circulate. By designing and executing a series of demonstration fire research burns on a full-scale mass timber structure, and collecting data from these burns, our objective was to:
Showcase, through fire demonstration tests, that mass timber construction is a safe and viable alternative to other more conventional construction systems (steel & concrete) for constructing large or tall buildings;
Support the implementation and adoption of the 2020 edition of the National Building Code of Canada;
Support future code change proposals to extend the use of mass timber to other building types, heights, and sizes;
Support the transition to Performance-based codes;
Use the results and finds from the demonstration tests to develop viable solutions to mitigate construction fire risk.
Targeted Audiences
Various key stakeholders within the construction sector need to be educated through science-based tests that mass timber building systems can be designed to provide a safe building environment when subjected to fire. The key groups targeted by the project include, but are not limited to:
Building Code Officials & Regulators
Fire Services Professionals
Insurance Professionals
Building & Construction Industry
Sustainability Specialists
Building Occupants & Owners
Funders & Stakeholders
Natural Resources Canada
BC Forestry Innovation Investment
Government of British Columbia – Office of Mass Timber Implementation (OMTI)
Ontario – Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
Alberta – Agriculture, Forestry & Rural Economic Development
Québec – Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs
Canadian Wood Council
FPInnovations
Full Scale Fire Testing and Research
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) provided support for the technical work and science-based fire tests, as part of its research to inform the advancement of safe and innovative solutions across Canada’s construction industry.
Key Consultants & Contractors
GHL Consultants Ltd.
CHM Fire Consultants Ltd.
ISL Engineering
Timmerman Timberworks Inc.
Key Suppliers & Manufacturers
Five mass timber product manufacturers supplied the mass timber materials:
Western Archrib:
◦ Glulam beams and columns
◦ Westdek panels for the roof
Element5 Modern Timber Buildings
◦ Glulam beams and columns
◦ CLT floor
Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation
◦ Glulam beams and columns
◦ CLT floor and walls
StructureCraft: Timber engineering & Construction:
◦ DLT floor and roof
Nordic Structures
◦ Glulam beams and columns
◦ CLT roof and walls
Several key material suppliers also supported the program:
MTC
◦ Connectors and fasteners
Rockwool
◦ Fire Proof Insulation
Hilti
◦ Fireproof material
The structure for the Ottawa Fire Test was built by Timmerman Timberworks Inc.
Mass Timber Course of Construction Insurance Project Questionnaire + Checklist
Who can use this document: Contractors, Developers, Owners and Design Teams.
How to use this document: This document is an editable form that teams can fill out to aid in collecting mass timber project-specific information to share with their insurance team.
When to use this document: A project team should engage a broker or underwriter as early as possible in the planning stages of a construction project, ideally during the initial design phase or when the project scope is being defined.
How will this help me: The goal is to provide project-specific information about mass timber, pre-emptively addressing some of the common questions and concerns insurers may have to pave the way for a more efficient and informed process when working with your broker or underwriter. Keep in mind that this document is not intended to address all topics nor be a universally accepted form that provides all necessary information to insurers.
Mass timber construction offers speed, sustainability, and design flexibility – but it also requires a higher level of coordination than traditional structural systems. Its prefabricated components and tight tolerances call for early planning, clear communication, and a shared understanding across the project team. Ensuring that all partners – including those less familiar with timber construction – are aligned on these unique requirements helps avoid costly delays and, more importantly, positions the team to fully capitalize on the benefits mass timber has to offer.
Developed to support practitioners working with encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC), this tool helps determine whether a compartment design aligns with the 2025 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC).
By entering key information about your compartment layout—including size, wall configuration, mass timber elements, and encapsulation details—the calculator evaluates whether the design meets code requirements for exposed mass timber elements.
The tool allows users to:
Evaluate permissible percentages of exposed mass timber elements (beams, columns, walls, and ceilings)
Confirm compliance within suites or fire compartments
Identify potential code issues through automated warnings
Visualize compartment configurations with a generated 3-D model
Review encapsulation requirements and supporting notes
This practical calculator helps architects, engineers, and code professionals explore compliant design options more efficiently when working with mass timber construction.
Successful Delivery Methods for Procuring Mass Timber Buildings in Canada
This document provides guidance on common and effective procurement delivery methods for mass timber buildings in Canada, outlining how different approaches shape responsibility, decision-making, risk allocation, and communication across project teams. Emphasis is placed on the need for flexibility within procurement frameworks to accommodate the unique requirements of mass timber construction. Intended for owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and developers, the guide supports informed selection and implementation of procurement strategies that help address challenges related to supply, detailing, approvals, and delivery, enabling project teams to achieve coordinated, efficient project outcomes.
Tall wood buildings offer tremendous potential for low-carbon, high-performance construction, but they also introduce a distinct set of challenges not typically encountered in conventional approaches. Design teams new to this form of construction may be unfamiliar with the systematic approach needed to enhance affordability and efficiency in these buildings.
Within the spectrum of structural solutions for mass timber, point-supported CLT is a compelling option for tall building applications. Teams must understand how to harness its unique benefits and navigate its limitations to unlock its full potential. When applied effectively, point-supported approaches can improve efficiency, reduce material usage, and unlock new pathways to cost-competitive tall timber construction.
Exploring the Role of Mass Timber – Industrial Buildings and Warehouse Construction
The emerging use of mass timber in industrial buildings presents promising opportunities that are shaping the future of construction in this sector. As a sustainable and economically competitive alternative, mass timber is redefining industrial construction, a field traditionally dominated by prefabricated steel. An analysis of two cutting-edge projects in Sudbury, Ontario, highlights key advantages, including cost competitiveness, reduced embodied carbon, and aesthetic appeal. The insights from these two projects present stakeholders with helpful considerations and valuable strategies for integrating mass timber into future developments.
Canadian Wood Council Applauds Federal Investment in Nova Scotia’s Mass Timber Industry
OTTAWA, ON, 21 MAR 2025 – The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) applauds the Government of Canada’s strategic investment in Nova Scotia’s mass timber sector, recognizing its role in advancing low-carbon construction, economic growth, and job creation.
This funding will accelerate the fabrication of high-value mass timber components from undervalued eastern spruce, unlocking new opportunities for Canada’s forest sector and expanding the use of advanced wood materials in construction. By supporting the production of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam in Nova Scotia, this investment strengthens supply chains, creates skilled jobs in the region, and enhances the competitiveness of low-carbon building solutions across Canada.
Mass timber is increasingly recognized as a proven strategy for the rapid construction of much-needed housing and other critical infrastructure. Its benefits extend across multi-residential and commercial buildings, offering a scalable, efficient, and sustainable approach to modern construction.
Canada’s forest sector is well-positioned to meet the growing domestic demand for sustainable construction materials. This investment will drive innovation in mass timber manufacturing, creating economic opportunities in Nova Scotia while enhancing Canada’s capacity to produce and supply mass timber products nationwide. Expanding domestic production advances low-carbon building solutions and strengthens Canada’s wood manufacturing sector.
The CWC applauds this commitment to fostering a resilient and competitive mass timber industry in Atlantic Canada. Through our WoodWorks technical program, we look forward to supporting construction professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to integrate mass timber into more projects across the country.
Guide to Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction in the Ontario Building Code
The Guide to Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction in the Ontario Building Code – Second Edition is a comprehensive resource designed to help designers, code officials, and building professionals understand and apply the latest Ontario Building Code provisions for Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC), effective January 1, 2025. Developed by the Canadian Wood Council / WoodWorks Ontario in collaboration with Morrison Hershfield (now Stantec), the guide explains the technical requirements, fire safety principles, and design considerations unique to EMTC, with clear references to relevant OBC articles. It covers everything from structural mass timber element specifications and encapsulation materials, to use and occupancy limits, mixed-use scenarios, and related provisions for structural design, environmental separation, and fire safety during construction. Intended to be read in conjunction with the Ontario Building Code, this is not a design guide, but rather a tool to distill complex regulations into practical, accessible information—equipping professionals to confidently design, review, and approve EMTC projects while ensuring compliance and optimizing performance.
Notice of Correction: A previous version of this document contained a small error on page 19. In this electronic version of the document (updated August 12, 2025) the 3rd major bullet of Section 5.1.1 has been corrected.
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