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.
Exposed Mass Timber Calculator
Wind & Seismic Bracing Calculator
This interactive tool intends to aid in the design of the minimum braced wall panel length required for the houses based on seismic and wind forces.
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
From best practices to innovative techniques, find everything you need to succeed in timber construction.
- Join WoodWorks, in collaboration with Scius Advisory, for a workshop exploring procurement challenges and opportunities for public projects. Designed for capital project managers and procurement professionals, this interactive workshop will explore practical strategies for integrating wood products and systems into public sector projects. Through facilitated round-table discussions, participants will examine how procurement decisions can enable the effective use of timber while managing risk, cost, and delivery expectations. The session welcomes municipal and provincial staff, school and park boards, and others involved in public procurement who are interested in using wood but encounter added complexity compared to conventional materials. Drawing on real-world case examples across a range of procurement models, the workshop will provide actionable insights and proven approaches to help inform future projects and procurement decisions. Pre-reading: Successful Delivery Methods for Procuring Mass Timber Buildings in Canada
- Join WoodWorks, in collaboration with Scius Advisory, for a workshop exploring procurement challenges and opportunities for public projects. Designed for capital project managers and procurement professionals, this interactive workshop will explore practical strategies for integrating wood products and systems into public sector projects. Through facilitated round-table discussions, participants will examine how procurement decisions can enable the effective use of timber while managing risk, cost, and delivery expectations. The session welcomes municipal and provincial staff, school and park boards, and others involved in public procurement who are interested in using wood but encounter added complexity compared to conventional materials. Drawing on real-world case examples across a range of procurement models, the workshop will provide actionable insights and proven approaches to help inform future projects and procurement decisions. Pre-reading: Successful Delivery Methods for Procuring Mass Timber Buildings in Canada
The ProTEKtor II® Technical Data Sheet provides detailed product and performance information for BarrierTEK’s ProTEKtor II® fire-protectant treatment used on wood frame and sheet components. The document is intended for designers, builders, specifiers, and code officials who require clear, concise technical data to support product evaluation and specification.
The TDS outlines key product characteristics, application parameters, and performance attributes for treated wood framing members and sheet goods, including compatibility considerations and relevant fire performance data. It serves as a practical reference for understanding how ProTEKtor II® is applied to enhance fire protection in both exposed and concealed wood-frame assemblies.
Developed as a technical reference, this data sheet supports accurate specification and informed use of ProTEKtor II®, helping project teams integrate fire-protectant-treated wood products into wood-frame construction with confidence and consistency.
The AtTEK® – Fire Protection for Attic Applications Technical Data Sheet provides detailed product and performance information for BarrierTEK’s AtTEK® fire-protectant treatment used in wood-frame attic assemblies. The document is intended for designers, builders, specifiers, and code officials requiring concise technical data to support product evaluation and specification.
The TDS outlines key product attributes, application parameters, and performance characteristics relevant to attic framing components, including treatment coverage, compatibility with wood products, and applicable fire performance considerations. It serves as a quick-reference resource for understanding how AtTEK® is used to enhance fire protection in concealed roof spaces.
Developed as a technical reference, this data sheet supports accurate specification and informed use of AtTEK® in attic applications, helping project teams integrate fire-protectant-treated wood into wood-frame buildings with clarity and confidence.
BarrierTEK’s Assurance with Insurance document outlines how the use of BarrierTEK fire-protectant-treated wood products can support risk management and insurance considerations in wood-frame construction. The resource is intended for building owners, developers, designers, and construction professionals seeking greater clarity on how fire performance measures may influence insurability and project risk profiles.
The document discusses the role of fire-protectant treatments in reducing fire risk, with a focus on concealed and exposed wood framing applications. It highlights how enhanced fire performance can align with insurer expectations and loss prevention strategies, helping project teams better understand the relationship between material selection, fire safety, and insurance outcomes.
Developed as an informational reference, Assurance with Insurance supports informed conversations between project stakeholders and insurance providers, offering insight into how proactive fire protection strategies can contribute to improved confidence and resilience in wood-frame buildings.
BarrierTEK’s ProTEKtor II® – High Performance Fire Protectant for Wood Frame & Sheet Components document provides technical guidance on the use of ProTEKtor II® fire-retardant treatment for improving fire performance in exposed and concealed wood-frame construction. The resource is intended for architects, engineers, builders, and code officials involved in projects where enhanced fire protection for wood framing and sheathing is required.
The document describes product properties, treatment processes, and performance characteristics of ProTEKtor II® when applied to wood frame members and sheet goods such as plywood and oriented strand board (OSB). It outlines how the treatment supports fire safety objectives by reducing flame spread and contributing to improved fire resistance across a range of wood-frame assemblies.
Developed as a practical technical reference, the ProTEKtor II® document supports informed specification and application of fire-protectant-treated wood products, helping project teams integrate enhanced fire performance into wood-frame buildings while addressing code and design considerations.
BarrierTEK’s AtTEK® – High Performance Fire Protectant for Wood Frame Attic Components document provides technical information on the use of AtTEK® fire-retardant treatment for enhancing fire performance in concealed wood framing applications. The resource is intended for designers, builders, and code officials involved in wood-frame construction where attic fire protection is a key consideration.
The document outlines product characteristics, treatment methods, and performance attributes of AtTEK® when applied to wood frame attic components, including framing members and assemblies located within concealed roof spaces. It describes how the treatment supports fire safety objectives by slowing flame spread and contributing to improved fire performance in vulnerable areas of wood-frame buildings.
Developed as a technical reference, the AtTEK® document supports informed decision-making during design, specification, and construction, helping project teams understand how fire-protectant-treated wood can be effectively incorporated into attic assemblies to meet project and code requirements.
The Nordic X-Lam Technical Guide is a comprehensive technical resource for architects, engineers, and construction professionals designing with cross-laminated timber (CLT) systems from Nordic Structures. The guide provides essential information to support the effective specification and integration of Nordic X-Lam panels in mass timber buildings.
The document details panel properties, structural performance, and typical applications, with guidance on sizing, spans, loading conditions, and connections. It also addresses key design considerations including fire performance, acoustics, vibration, and building code compliance, helping project teams evaluate system suitability across a range of project types.
Developed as a practical design reference, the Nordic X-Lam Technical Guide supports coordinated, efficient project delivery by providing a clear technical framework for incorporating CLT systems into contemporary wood construction.
The Nordic Structures LAM+™ Technical Guide is a comprehensive reference for designers, engineers, and builders working with LAM+™ mass timber floor and roof systems. Developed by Nordic Structures, the guide provides practical technical information to support the efficient and reliable specification of LAM+™ panels in a wide range of building types.
The document outlines system characteristics, structural performance considerations, and typical applications, with clear guidance on panel configuration, spans, loading, and integration with supporting structural systems. It also addresses key design considerations such as vibration performance, fire resistance, acoustics, and constructability to help project teams make informed decisions early in design.
Intended as a design aid, the LAM+™ Technical Guide supports collaboration between architects, structural engineers, and contractors, offering a consistent technical foundation for incorporating LAM+™ systems into mass timber projects.
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.
Reaching one hundred issues is a milestone worthy of both celebration and reflection. Wood Design & Building, once upon a time called Wood le Bois, began as a modest trade magazine dedicated to showcasing excellence in wood architecture. Over the years we added special features and technical content that helped us grow a loyal readership and community of wood design advocates.
Recently, our cherished print magazine evolved into a digital, multi-media publication. While this transformation involved a small sense of loss for the printed ways of our past, we remain excited by the expanded potential the new format affords, with a reach far wider than we ever imagined at the outset of this journey. So, while the format may have changed, and content options expanded, our purpose has remained remarkably steady. Issue after issue, we have tried to capture not just great buildings, but the innovations, insights, and architectural aspirations that continue to expand wood’s role in contemporary design and construction.
As we look back, there is a sense of gratitude for all that has unfolded across these pages. Past editions captured early explorations in modern timber construction, the resurgence of adaptive reuse, and the steady shift toward high-performance, low-carbon buildings. Today, advances in mass timber systems, hybrid approaches, and industrialized processes are reshaping how buildings come together. Throughout this evolution, wood has been at the center of conversations about sustainability, long-term value, and design expression. The body of work published over the years reflects not only changing technologies but the steady influence of a material with deep cultural and environmental roots.
It is fitting that our 100th issue is also our special awards edition, honouring the winners of the 2025 Wood Design & Building Awards. These celebrated projects are the latest chapter in the architectural story we have been privileged to document for decades. What distinguishes them is not only their accomplishment today, but what they suggest about tomorrow: a more sustainable built environment defined by technical excellence, architectural warmth, and memorable experiences that transcend program or scale.
To everyone who has contributed, read, shared, and championed this publication—thank you. Reaching 100 issues is deeply meaningful, not because of the number alone, but because it represents a sustained conversation within a community that cares about design, innovation, and the future of building. We remain committed to documenting that evolution, and we look forward to continuing the conversation with you, discovering new stories, and celebrating the work yet to come.
Connection design variability is often considered to be a significant cost driver for mass timber projects, yet designers often lack clear guidance on what standard solutions could look like. The purpose of this document is to provide the construction industry with standardized detailing practices that cover a wide range of connections commonly found in mass timber buildings in Canada. These details can be adapted across multiple projects with various design teams and suppliers. The focus is on providing high-capacity, simple installation, and overall cost-effectiveness for timber connections.
Six details are presented based on typical beam, column, and wall connections. This document also outlines the design focus areas that were prioritized during detail development. Lastly, a checklist is provided for detailers to ensure that all priorities are considered. Companion 3D versions of these details can downloaded here.
- Speed, cost, and sustainability are no longer “nice to haves” in multi-residential construction — they’re essential. Join WoodWorks in partnership with the Ontario Structural Wood Association (OSWA) for FRAMEWORK for Success: Prefabricated Wood Systems and Design Innovation, a 60-minute webinar exploring how panelized light wood frame systems are reshaping mid-rise housing delivery. This session takes a deep dive into VanMar’s FRAMEWORK methodology and its real-world application on the 150 Wissler Road project in Waterloo — demonstrating how offsite prefabrication can accelerate timelines, control costs, and meet ambitious energy and GHG targets. Learning Outcomes: Participants will understand the benefits of prefabricated wood frame construction for multi-residential buildings. Participants will understand the FRAMEWORK system’s approach to speed, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Participants will be shown how collaborative offsite construction methods accelerated the 150 Wissler Road project. Participants will learn strategies for overcoming design challenges and achieving efficiencies in fire walls, shafts, and acoustics.
Ottawa, ON, December 16, 2025 – The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is pleased to announce three recipients of the 2025 Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarship: Houman Ganjali (University of Northern British Columbia), Kalkidan Tesfaye Shewandagn (McGill University), and Henri Monette (University of Toronto). These exceptional graduate students were selected for their academic excellence and their cutting-edge research advancing innovation in structural wood products and wood-based construction systems.
Established twenty years ago, the memorial scholarships honour the legacy of Catherine Lalonde, whose leadership as a professional engineer and president of the CWC helped shape the trajectory of wood design and construction in Canada. Each year, the awards recognize graduate students whose research reflects the same commitment to scientific excellence, industry impact, and passion for wood that Catherine championed throughout her career.
This year, the Canadian Wood Council received 51 submissions, a record for the program. The submissions reflected a high level of academic discipline and a strong orientation toward industry-relevant challenges, an indication of both the vitality of the research community and the growing importance of wood-based solutions in the built environment.
Houman Ganjali
Houman is a 5th year PhD candidate in Engineering at the University of Northern British Columbia. His research investigates the structural performance of point-supported cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors, focusing on the rolling-shear strength of CLT panels and the punching-shear capacity of point-supported systems. His work also examines improved connection strategies along the minor strength axis, reinforcement approaches for point supports, and the creep and vibration behaviour of point-supported floors. Houman’s research culminated in the development of a design proposal for the resistance of point-supported CLT floors, which will be presented to the CSA O86 Technical Committee for potential inclusion in future editions of the standard.
Kalkidan Tesfaye Shewandagn
Kalkidan is a 2nd year PhD student in Civil Engineering at McGill University. Her research focuses on the seismic design and performance assessment of wood-frame buildings constructed over podium structures. By integrating experimental testing, nonlinear modelling (OpenSeesPy), and performance-based assessment, her work quantifies the interaction between wood-frame systems and podiums. The resulting guidelines aim to support broader adoption of wood in multi-storey and hybrid buildings across Canada.
Henri Monette
Henri is a 4th year PhD candidate in Civil and Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto. His research explores the development of a high-resistance connector for mass timber structures—an innovative system designed to optimize fibre use by mobilizing the full sectional resistance of connected timber members. By addressing the strength and resilience limitations of current connection technologies, Henri’s work supports mass timber’s ability to compete with and displace traditional materials such as steel and concrete.
“The large number of submissions we received this year signals the impressive depth of wood-focused research underway across Canada,” said Blériot Feujofack, Manager of Wood Education at the Canadian Wood Council. “This year’s scholarship recipients stand as strong examples of the academic excellence demonstrated throughout the applicant pool, distinguished by their clear methodological strength and practical relevance. Their findings hold meaningful value for practitioners, code developers, and industry partners, and will contribute to the continued advancement of wood construction in Canada.”
About the Canadian Wood Council
The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is Canada’s unifying voice for the wood products industry. As a national federation of associations, its members represent hundreds of manufacturers across the country. CWC supports its members by accelerating market demand for wood products and championing responsible leadership through excellence in codes, standards, and regulations. CWC also delivers technical support and knowledge transfer for the construction sector through its market leading WoodWorks program.
Toronto, ON – December 15, 2025 – The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) welcomes the announcement made today by the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. The event celebrated funding for projects that strengthen Canada’s forestry sector and foster innovation in wood-based solutions.
CWC received $8.5 million since 2023 to expand the use of wood-based products, broaden education on wood construction and contribute to the advancement of the National Building Code.
The Canadian Wood Council deeply values the Government of Canada’s continued leadership in advancing innovative, low-carbon construction through the GCWood Program. This funding has allowed CWC and its WoodWorks program to support design and construction professionals with expert resources, tools, and guidance that help accelerate the adoption of wood construction nationwide. As we continue this work, we will help catalyze sustainable demand for construction solutions that are not only innovative but also replicable and rapidly deployed, approaches that will help address Canada’s housing and affordability challenges at scale.
CWC and WoodWorks provide:
- project based technical assistance to architects, engineers, developers, and builders on wood design and construction;
- education and training through specialized programs, conferences, webinars, and resources developed for post-secondary students, tradespeople, and construction professionals to support advanced wood construction technologies including mass timber and engineered wood products;
- expert network development opportunities for industry professionals to connect and share best practices; and
- sector engagement in national code development to facilitate greater understanding and adoption of advanced, performance-based wood construction.
“GCWood support enables us to provide critical technical advisory services, deliver wood-focused education and training to existing and future practitioners, and contribute to code developments that reflect the evolving strengths of modern wood products and systems. GCWood investments are important, strategic inputs that strengthen Canada’s forestry, manufacturing, and construction sectors. We look forward to building on our work to date as we engage with partners nationwide to accelerate the adoption of sustainable wood solutions and modern methods of construction.” – Rick Jeffrey, President and CEO, Canadian Wood Council.
The Canadian Wood Council looks forward to collaborating with partners and stakeholders as these projects move forward, supporting Canada’s leadership in sustainable construction and forestry.
Background
- The Canadian Wood Council received $4,999,536 to increase the use of wood-based solutions, systems, and products in Canada by building proficiency in the use of wood as a construction material through direct technical support, training, awareness, and networking.
- The Canadian Wood Council received $2,942,610 for a second project to increase the number of educational offerings and content related to wood construction education in order to increase the understanding and acceptance of wood as a building material by post-secondary students, trades and other construction industry professionals.
- The Canadian Wood Council received $594,000 for a third project to enable the forest industry’s participation over the next three years for code change proposals allowing for the increased use of low-carbon building materials and mass timber in wood buildings for the 2025 and 2030 editions of the National Building Code and to accelerate the adoption of performance-based building codes.
About the Canadian Wood Council
The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is Canada’s unifying voice for the wood products industry. As a national federation of associations, CWC members represent hundreds of manufacturers across the country. CWC’s mission is to support its members by accelerating market demand for wood products and championing responsible leadership through excellence in codes, standards, and regulations. CWC also delivers technical support and knowledge transfer for the construction sector through its market leading WoodWorks program.
About the National WoodWorks Program
The Canadian Wood Council’s WoodWorks Program a national outreach initiative dedicated to advancing the use of wood in construction by providing educational opportunities and direct technical support. The program helps architects, engineers, developers and other industry professionals expand their capacity for wood design and construction, contributing to a more sustainable built environment.
- This event has sold out! Join us for a focused half-day workshop that demystifies the essentials of mid-rise wood design for structural engineers. This practical, content-rich session brings together leading voices from WoodWorks, Weyerhaeuser, Simpson Strong-Tie, and CertainTeed to explore the full spectrum of mid-rise design considerations—from wood-frame optimization and EWP performance to lateral systems, fire-resistant assemblies, and real-world construction details. Through case studies, technical guidance, and insights from seasoned practitioners, attendees will gain actionable strategies to design safer, more efficient, and cost-effective 5–6 storey wood buildings. Whether you’re deepening your expertise or looking to strengthen collaboration across the construction team, this workshop offers an invaluable opportunity to gain clarity, confidence and guidance from those who solve mid-rise design challenges every day.
