Welcome to the CWC Portal
Wood Design Tools & Calculators
The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) offers simple, easy-to-use, and free design tools to help architects, engineers, and builders work more efficiently with wood. From electronic design calculators to practical construction guides, our resources make wood design more accessible and straightforward.
CWC offers a number of free resources available to wood professionals as well as wood enthusiasts.
Climate zone-appropriate insulated wall assembly solutions that are easily comparable with national and provincial energy efficiency prescriptive provisions.
Calculate load-carrying capacity for wood beams efficiently. Provides quick, code-compliant results for safe and reliable designs.
Dimension Calculator
Easily convert lumber dimensions for accurate planning. Ideal for ensuring precise cuts and minimizing waste.
Estimate lumber volume for your projects. Simplify material planning and cost estimation with accurate results.
Carbon Calculator
Both the amount of carbon stored and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions avoided.
Code CHEK
Ensure your designs meet safety standards. Verify compliance with the latest building codes for hassle-free projects.
FRR & STC Tool
Evaluate fire resistance and sound performance. Optimize designs to meet safety and acoustic standards easily.
Bolt Selection Table Viewer
Evaluate fire resistance and sound performance. Optimize designs to meet safety and acoustic standards easily.
Bolt Calculator
Performs design calculations for bolted connections in accordance with CSA O86:24 Clause 12.4.
The Canadian Wood Council’s Design Tools have been developed for information purposes only. Although all possible efforts have been made to ensure that the information on these tools is accurate, the CWC cannot under any circumstances guarantee the completeness, accuracy or exactness of the information. Reference should always be made to the appropriate Building Code and/or Standard. This tool should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or design advice, and the user is responsible for how the tool is used or applied.
Explore Additional Tools
Expand your design capabilities with advanced tools tailored for timber construction. From calculators to performance modeling, these resources enhance your workflow for precise and efficient project execution.
Cecobois Online Tools
Climate zone-appropriate insulated wall assembly solutions that are easily comparable with national and provincial energy efficiency prescriptive provisions.
AWC Online Tools
Discover innovative tools designed to streamline your wood construction projects. Optimize design processes and explore solutions crafted for modern timber engineering.
Discover the WoodWorks® Software
Learn how the WoodWorks Software supports design and construction professionals with expert resources, tools, and free technical support for innovative wood building projects.
Explore Premium
Content and Resources
Dive into a comprehensive library of resources and content.
From best practices to innovative techniques, find everything you need to succeed in timber construction.
From best practices to innovative techniques, find everything you need to succeed in timber construction.
- This FREE webinar will discuss the fire-related national building and fire code changes related to a new construction type called Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC) to be used for wood buildings up to twelve storeys in the 2020 NBC, as well, it will provide an overview of ongoing changes and future changes to the current EMTC provisions. Attendees of this seminar will also receive a glimpse of current fire research into various performance aspects of mass timber construction and tall wood buildings.
- Woodrise 2025 is the premier international congress dedicated to the future of mid- and high-rise timber construction. Hosted by FPInnovations in collaboration with FCBA and JUBH, this event brings together global leaders in architecture, engineering, policy, and industry to explore the latest advancements in mass timber and sustainable building practices. With over 2,000 participants from 25+ countries, 30+ international speakers, and a 25,000+ sqft exhibition space featuring 60+ exhibitors, Woodrise 2025 is a key platform for: Networking & B2B Meetings – Connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. Insightful Discussions – Gain valuable perspectives on sustainability, regulations, and emerging trends. Showcasing Innovation – Discover groundbreaking projects and technologies shaping the future of wood construction. Who Attends? Woodrise attracts professionals from across the building, forestry, and manufacturing industries, including: Architects, Engineers, and Developers Mass Timber Manufacturers and Suppliers Government Officials and Policymakers Researchers, Educators, and Students Set against the stunning backdrop of Vancouver, a global hub for mass timber innovation, Woodrise 2025 will inspire and engage attendees in shaping the future of sustainable construction. Join us for an event where knowledge meets innovation, and connections create opportunity.
- Calgary Workshop Abstract: Mid-rise construction continues to gain momentum as an affordable, sustainable and efficient solution for urban development. However, these projects come with unique design and performance challenges that demand innovative approaches. This workshop brings together industry experts to explore key considerations in mid-rise construction, including: Design Challenges & Solutions – Examining structural, zoning, and material selection complexities and the strategies to overcome them. Building Enclosure: Lessons Learned – Reviewing best practices for durability, energy efficiency, and moisture management in mid-rise enclosures. Acoustic Considerations – Addressing sound transmission challenges and effective mitigation techniques for multi-unit buildings. Through case studies, expert insights, and interactive discussions, this workshop will provide valuable knowledge to architects, engineers, and developers looking to optimize mid-rise building performance.
- Workshop Abstract: Mid-rise construction continues to gain momentum as an affordable, sustainable and efficient solution for urban development. However, these projects come with unique design and performance challenges that demand innovative approaches. This workshop brings together industry experts to explore key considerations in mid-rise construction, including: Design Challenges & Solutions – Examining structural, zoning, and material selection complexities and the strategies to overcome them. Building Enclosure: Lessons Learned – Reviewing best practices for durability, energy efficiency, and moisture management in mid-rise enclosures. Acoustic Considerations – Addressing sound transmission challenges and effective mitigation techniques for multi-unit buildings. Through case studies, expert insights, and interactive discussions, this workshop will provide valuable knowledge to architects, engineers, and developers looking to optimize mid-rise building performance.
- Join us for an insightful exploration into the latest developments in wood shearwall systems and connections, featuring critical updates from the 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). This webinar will cover essential topics, including advancements in lateral systems and rod holdowns, and provide a step-by-step approach to accurately calculating deflection for rod holdowns. Dive into key details on relevant connections and fasteners that enhance performance and resilience. The session will culminate with a overview of the outcomes of a groundbreaking 10-storey mass timber seismic test conducted in San Diego as part of the NHERI Tall Wood Project, showcasing how these innovations perform under real-world conditions. This webinar is designed for engineers, architects, and construction professionals looking to stay current with advancements in seismic design for wood structures. Shearwall Connections and Lateral Systems for Wood Buildings Date: February 20th, 2025 Time: 11 p.m. (PST) / 2 p.m. (EST) Duration: 60 minutes Learning Outcomes: Gain insights into the latest advancements in seismic and lateral force-resisting systems for timber construction. Learn effective methods for calculating deflection in rod hold-down systems, ensuring compliance with structural performance standards. Explore best practices and expert recommendations for specifying connections in shearwalls to optimize strength and resilience. Understand key findings from the NHERI TallWood test, highlighting lessons from the tallest mass timber building ever tested on a shake table.
- Site Entrance Building (Minwamon Building) Opened in 2020 and serves as a key role in campus-wide logistics, warehousing services and manages all items and vehicles entering or exiting the Chalk River Laboratories site. Support Facility Opened in 2021 and is used for maintenance and manufacturing activities. Science Collaboration Centre Opened in 2023 and is an open and inviting space that enables collaboration with international and academic partners from all over the world that work to foster nuclear science innovation and research. At six storeys tall, it also serves as a welcoming event space for conferences and seminars. The mass timber structures at the Minwamon Building, Support Facility and Science Collaboration Centre are the first modern mass timber buildings constructed on a federal site, and construction of the Support Facility and Science Collaboration Centre was supported through a grant from the Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program. This program is administered by Natural Resources Canada to increase the use of wood in infrastructure projects as a sustainable construction material and supports Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy. In the three new buildings, mass timber has allowed CNL to sequester nearly 2,500 tonnes of CO2 and avoid nearly 1,000 tonnes of CO2 since 2015. The three non-nuclear new builds which use 3,750 m3 of structure in mass timber means: 4,125 tonnes of CO2e embodied and avoided Approximately 800 cars off of Canadian roads for one year Energy for approximately 400 homes in Canada for one year Canadian forests regrow this timber in 10 minutes Hydrogen Laboratories CNL is accelerating the transition to a hydrogen economy with advanced hydrogen production and energy storage technologies. Our strategic partnerships with industry, academic institutions, national and global organizations demonstrate our commitment to innovation and exemplary quality assurance. Areas of expertise include: Heavy water production and management Hydrogen production technologies Hydrogen safety technologies Energy storage technologies Actinium Laboratories Scientists at CNL are working hard on the development of advanced life-saving treatments that harness the power of nuclear science and radioisotopes to achieve unprecedented levels of precision in beating cancer. This work includes the production of a promising new weapon in the fight against cancer – Actinium-225 – a radioisotope so rare that the annual global production is less than a grain of sand. Reactor Fleet Sustainability Laboratories For decades, CNL has been standing ready to sustain reliable and affordable nuclear reactors. We support utilities, their suppliers, and industry research organization by providing extensive research through: Operations and maintenance practices that improve reactor operations and respond to emergent issues Life extension initiatives that enable long-term operations Innovation that develops technologies to support reactor modernization and efficiencies Environment Laboratories Through Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL) Federal Nuclear Science and Technology (FNST) Work Plan, CNL undertakes research activities to support environmental stewardship and responsible nuclear waste management. Overarching federal priorities and goals to which CNL applies its science capabilities include: Support Canada’s national and international leadership to improve the understanding and reduce environmental impact of nuclear energy. Enhance Canada’s environmental stewardship by ensuring that nuclear energy is developed within a robust framework that addresses environmental and waste management concerns. Support implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework and achieve Canada’s international greenhouse gas reduction targets by identifying the environmental impacts of nuclear energy production that could be reduced. Develop and demonstrate innovative technologies to reduce environmental impacts, increase competitiveness, and promote the use of clean technology including in Canada’s natural resource sectors. Providing science and technology to support the understanding of the effects of radiation on the environment. Improving the understanding of the migration of radioisotopes in the environment (terrestrial and aquatic), and their potential impacts on human health and non-human biota. Enhancing prediction methods of radionuclide concentrations in the environment during the recovery phase following an unplanned radioactive release. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Bring government-issued photo ID (Passport, driver’s licence, health card, etc.). Wear flat-soled safety shoes or safety boots, socks, long pants, and high visibility vests. Dress appropriately for the weather as time will be spent walking outside. Photo and video taking is restricted. Please inquire before any photos and videos are taken. Advise of severe allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical conditions / devices. Once your registration is completed you will recieve a Security form via email for CNL. This must be completed by January 30th to be able to attend the tour. TRANSPORTATION: All participants are to meet at Andaz Hotel (325 Dalhousie Street Ottawa ON K1N7G1). We request that all participants are at the pick-up location no later than 7:15 am for a 7:30 am departure.
Courtesy of the Mass Timber Institute
There is much to learn from the resilient and adaptable warehouse buildings that line the streets of Canada’s historic manufacturing districts. ‘Historical Tall-Wood Toronto’ is an evidentiary database of late 19th and early 20th century vernacular brick and beam buildings that were built using the fire restrictive specifications and construction technology of Heavy Timber Mill-Construction (mill-construction) in Toronto.
- This presentation explores the art and science of inspired structural design, emphasizing how engineering can harmonize beauty, efficiency, and sustainability. By allowing the structure itself to help inform the concept, it is possible to craft designs that are not only innovative but also deeply connected to their environment. This session will delve into strategies for designing sustainably, focusing on the most structurally efficient use of materials to reduce waste and environmental impact. Through case studies and examples, the presentation highlights how thoughtful engineering creates beautiful structures that people love to own and use. Attendees will leave with actionable insights into achieving designs that inspire and perform. Inspired Design Date: January 22nd, 2025 Time: 12 p.m. (MST) / 2 p.m. (EST) Duration: 60 minutes Learning Outcomes: Inspired design does not need to cost more, it is often more economical Design-Build is the perfect delivery method for true Inspired Design Inspired design requires a cohesive design team from the start Collaboration of project constraints is key to Inspired Design
