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.
- Healthcare buildings are among the most complex and resource-intensive structures we design and, increasingly, they are being asked to do more. Modern hospitals not only need to support healing for patients and staff, but also to contribute to planetary health by reducing carbon emissions and addressing social and environmental determinants of wellbeing. To meet these goals, hospital design must evolve beyond the “squeezed and standardized” approach that has long defined it. Mass timber is emerging as a credible alternative to conventional systems for larger-scale, high-rise institutional buildings. Recent advancements in material science, manufacturing, engineering, and fire safety have made it possible to consider timber as a structural solution for complex facilities — including hospitals. Recognizing that innovation in healthcare design must be evidence-based, this collaborative study explores the feasibility of using mass timber for a 200+ bed acute care hospital. The multidisciplinary team — including KPMB Architects, PHSA (Provincial Health Services Authority of BC), Fast + Epp, Smith + Andersen, Resource Planning Group, CHM Fire, Hanscomb, AMB Planning, and EllisDon — developed and evaluated a detailed test design for a mass timber inpatient tower suited to the Canadian context. The study examined structure, cost, schedule, lifecycle carbon, code compliance, infection control, and biophilic design as part of a holistic approach to sustainable healthcare infrastructure. Learning Objectives By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Identify the key drivers that influence structural system selection in healthcare building design. Describe the opportunities, limitations, and specific considerations associated with using mass timber in hospital environments. Summarize findings from an in-progress feasibility study for a mass timber inpatient tower in a Canadian acute care setting. Evaluate the comparative schedule, cost, and lifecycle carbon outcomes identified in the study, and discuss implications for future healthcare projects.
Ottawa, Ontario – October 16, 2025 — The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is pleased to welcome Rothoblaas Canada as a new national partner of its WoodWorks program. This collaboration aligns two organizations committed to advancing wood construction across Canada through education, technical support, and strategic market development.
As demand for high-performance, low-carbon buildings drives greater adoption of mass timber and other engineered wood systems, this partnership will strengthen the technical ecosystem supporting Canada’s construction industry. Leveraging Rothoblaas’s international leadership in structural connection technologies, envelope systems, and on-site safety solutions alongside WoodWorks’ national expertise in education, technical support, and market development, the collaboration will help advance best practices in timber design and construction. Together, the organizations will facilitate knowledge transfer and design innovation to support the integration of wood as a mainstream material in Canadian building projects.
“For more than 20 years, WoodWorks has been delivering technical expertise and support to the professionals advancing wood construction across Canada. Partnering with this respected network allows Rothoblaas Canada to share our global engineering experience and help drive innovation in connection systems, building envelope performance, and safe, efficient timber assembly,” says François-Laurent Chabot, General Manager & Region Sales Manager for Rothoblaas Canada.
“WoodWorks is proud to collaborate with Rothoblaas Canada to help build industry knowledge and acceptance of modern timber connection systems and other assembly solutions,” says Rick Jeffery, President and CEO of the Canadian Wood Council. “This partnership integrates Rothoblaas Canada’s expertise in engineered connectors and building envelope technologies with WoodWorks’ national platform for education and sector advancement—supporting a more seamless, performance-based approach to wood construction.”
Through shared outreach, resource development, and technical education across the country, this national partnership aims to equip architects, builders, and developers with the knowledge they need to confidently design and build with wood. Broader adoption of wood solutions can play a pivotal role in meeting national housing and infrastructure goals, while contributing to Canada’s climate objectives and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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, our members represent hundreds of manufacturers across the country. Our mission is to support our members by accelerating market demand for wood products and championing responsible leadership through excellence in codes, standards, and regulations. We also deliver technical support and knowledge transfer for the construction sector through our 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.
About Rothoblaas Canada
Rothoblaas Canada is a leading provider of innovative solutions for mass timber and wood construction, offering a comprehensive range of structural fasteners, connection systems, membranes, and safety products. As part of the global Rothoblaas group, the Canadian division supports architects, engineers, and builders with technical expertise and code-compliant solutions tailored to local needs. Through research, education, and collaboration, Rothoblaas Canada advances high-performance, sustainable construction and helps drive the growth of Canada’s wood building industry.
Ottawa, Ontario – October 14, 2025 — The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is pleased to welcome Nordic Structures as a new national partner of its WoodWorks program. A longstanding Gold Level Sponsor of Cecobois (Centre d’expertise sur la construction commerciale en bois), WoodWorks’ sister organization in Quebec, Nordic Structures now joins WoodWorks as a partner at the national level.
“Nordic Structures brings exceptional technical expertise and a deep commitment to responsible forest stewardship. Their collaboration with WoodWorks builds on years of leadership in Quebec and extends that impact nationally. By working together, we’re helping ensure that more communities across Canada can benefit from the innovation and environmental performance that wood construction delivers. “ says Rick Jeffery, President & CEO of the Canadian Wood Council.
“Building on our valued relationship with Cecobois, we are excited to partner with WoodWorks to advance the knowledge, innovation, and adoption of engineered wood products as a structural solution across Canada,” said David Croteau, Nordic Structures, Vice-President, Operations and Engineering.
As we look to the future, partnerships like this are vital to expanding the adoption of structural wood solutions that can meet Canada’s growing demand for affordable housing and resilient infrastructure. Nordic’s leadership in design, engineering, and manufacturing—combined with the technical expertise of WoodWorks—will help unlock new opportunities for high-performance, low-carbon buildings across every region of the country.
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, our members represent hundreds of manufacturers across the country. Our mission is to support our members by accelerating market demand for wood products and championing responsible leadership through excellence in codes, standards, and regulations. We also deliver technical support and knowledge transfer for the construction sector through our 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.
Nordic Structures
Nordic Structures offers engineered wood products and comprehensive technical services to enable state-of-the-art mass timber projects. Nordic’s founding company, Chantiers Chibougamau, responsibly harvests black spruce from Northern Quebec’s boreal forest and transforms the raw material into a full catalog of wood-based products, from I-joists to both industrial and architectural grades of glulam and CLT. Collaborating with architects, engineers, and construction firms, the team has delivered successful results on thousands of mass timber projects spanning all major sectors of public life.
In a context where wood construction is gaining momentum, acoustics remains a key challenge in ensuring occupant comfort and compliance with standards. With this in mind, AcoustiTECH, an expert in acoustic solutions, has partnered with FPInnovations, a leader in research and development in the wood sector, to conduct an in-depth comparative study in its laboratory facility.
Who We Are
AcoustiTECH is a broker specializing in acoustic solutions, supporting building professionals in selecting highperformance materials that meet and exceed industry standards. With 25 years of experience and unique expertise, we offer customized assemblies through a specialized brand ecosystem and reliable data. Our personalized service, backed by dedicated technical and engineering teams, ensures tailored and effective
solutions that enhance the acoustic comfort of occupants. FPInnovations is a globally recognized, private, non-profit organization specializing in research and development for the forestry sector. Its mission is to support businesses and building professionals in innovating and optimizing wood-based materials. With ISO 17025-accredited laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities, FPInnovations assesses the performance of wood structures in terms of acoustics, vibrations, fire resistance, and more.
Study Objective
At AcoustiTECH, our goal is to continuously innovate by delivering new data and acoustic solutions tailored to the specific requirements of each project. This collaboration with FPInnovations marks a significant milestone in our acoustic analysis of wood structures, as it represents our first large-scale data collection on a GLT masstimber slab and our second mass-timber campaign overall, building on a prior study.
Through this study, we obtain precise acoustic measurements for this structural system and conduct rigorous comparisons across numerous innovative market solutions. We take into account key project criteria such as acoustic performance, budget, thickness, weight, and even design, as different acoustic solutions can also influence the choice of floor coverings.
Grounded in a scientific approach and conducted in controlled environments with FPInnovations, this research aims to evaluate various acoustic configurations optimized for mass timber construction. By combining technical expertise, innovation, and in-depth analysis, we provide architects, engineers, and developers with high-performance solutions that meet and exceed the industry standards.
Vancouver, BC – September 23, 2025 – The Canadian Wood Council is pleased to announce the winning projects of the 41st annual Wood Design & Building Awards program. This prestigious awards program recognizes and celebrates the outstanding work of architectural professionals from Canada and around the world for excellence in wood design and construction.
“The diversity and creativity in this year’s winning projects demonstrate how wood can connect people with nature,” says Martin Richard, Vice President of Communications and Market Development at the Canadian Wood Council (CWC). “These designs not only showcase wood’s versatility, but also create spaces that enrich daily life and support community well-being. They are high-performance solutions that respond to today’s urgent need for housing, schools, and community spaces.”
“It’s a delight each year to see the latest and greatest wood buildings nominated to our awards program and it’s a privilege to recognize the best projects from the impressive submissions we receive,” added Ioana Lazea, Senior Project Manager at CWC responsible for delivering the awards program. “This year’s competition drew a remarkable 140 entries. We are deeply grateful to our esteemed jurors for the significant effort they invested in reviewing each one and for their careful deliberations in selecting the winners.”
18 projects earned recognition from the Wood Design & Building Awards jury. The jurors for the Wood Design & Building Awards were:
- Omar Ghandi, Principal at Omar Ghandi Architects
- Jane Abbott, Partner at Abbott Brown Architects
- Alec Holser, Founding Principal at Opsis Architecture
14 additional projects were selected for recognition under the WoodWorks category of the Wood Design Awards programs which have regional competitions in BC, Ontario, and the Prairie provinces for projects located in those jurisdictions. The jurors for the WoodWorks Awards category were:
- Eric Karsh, Founding Partner of Equilibrium
- Brenda Izen, Founding Principal at Izen Architecture
- Carol Belanger, City Architect, Edmonton
In total, 38 projects from Canada and around the world were honoured at the Wood Design and Building Awards celebration hosted Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Woodrise Conference in Vancouver, BC.
COMPLETE LIST OF AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS FOLLOWS:
Honor
- The Spirit Garden (Toronto, ON) | Gow Hastings Architects in collaboration with Two Row Architects
- Fraser Mills Presentation Centre (Coquitlam, BC) | Patkau Architects
- Pacific Northwest Residence (Washington State) | Cutler Anderson Architects
- Google Borregas (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) | Project Designer: MGA | Michael Green Architecture, Architect of Record: SERA Architects
- TRUMPF Education Center (Ditzingen, Germany) | Barkow Leibinger
- Dwelling on the Mountainside: Jiuceng Art Gallery (Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China) | Atelier Lu+Architects
Merit
- Vesterheim Commons (Decorah, IA, USA) | Snøhetta
- DogTrot Magnetawan (Magnetawan, ON) | Williamson Williamson
- Aiken Audubon Research Outpost (Chico Basin Ranch, CO, USA) | ColoradoBuildingWorkshop at CU Denver
Citation
- Walking Dunes (Amagansett, NY, USA) | Bates Masi + Architects
- Timbrelyn (Bethel, NY 12720, USA) | Adel Research Group (ARG)
- sʔitwənx Child Care (Kelowna, BC) | Public Architecture + Design
- Canadian Canoe Museum (Peterborough, ON) | Unity Design Studio
- Greenhill School, Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center (Addison, TX, USA) | Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
- Upper Canada College – Lindsay Boathouse (Toronto, ON) | VJAA Inc. (Lead Design Architect) | RDHA (Architect of Record)
- Winthrop Library (Winthrop, WA, USA) | Johnston Architects (Architect of Record) and Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects (Associate Architect)
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Headquarters (Toronto, ON) | Bucholz McEvoy Architects + ZAS Architects and Interiors
- MUMO (Museum of Motorcycle) (Puerto Octay, North Patagonia, Chile) | DRAA
Sansin Sponsored Award
- Google Borregas (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) | Project Designer: MGA | Michael Green Architecture, Architect of Record: SERA Architects
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Sponsored Awards
- Wahta’ elementary school (Wendake, QC) | DG3A Architecture
- Kreher Preserve & Nature Center Environmental Education Building (Auburn, AL, USA) | Leers Weinzapfel Associates Architects, Inc.
Western Red Cedar Sponsored Awards
- San Juan Islands Residence (Eastsound, WA) | Vandervort Architects
- The Granary at Southlands (Delta (Tsawwassen) – BC) | MOTIV Architects
Wood Preservation Sponsored Award
- Catchacoma Cottage (The Kawarthas, Municipality of Trent Lakes, ON) | Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
WoodWorks Ontario Wood Design Awards
- DogTrot Magnetawan (Magnetawan, ON) | Williamson Williamson
- Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) Headquarters and Multi-Tenant Complex (Toronto, ON) | Moriyama Teshima Architects
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Headquarters (Toronto, ON) | Bucholz McEvoy Architects + ZAS Architects and Interiors
- Upper Canada College – Lindsay Boathouse (Toronto, ON) | VJAA Inc. (Lead Design Architect) | RDHA (Architect of Record)
- 1120 Ossington (Toronto, ON) | mcCallumSather
WoodWorks BC Wood Design Awards
- Fraser Mills Presentation Centre (Coquitlam, BC) | Patkau Architects
- Adams Lake Health + Wellness Centre (Chase, BC) | Unison Architecture Ltd.
- Kin Park Pavilion and Ice Rink (Fort St. John, BC) | Public Architecture + Design
- sʔitwənx Child Care (Kelowna, BC) | Public Architecture + Design
- Point Grey House (Vancouver, BC) | Patkau Architects
WoodWorks Prairie Wood Design Awards
- F Residence (RM of Stanley, MB) | 1×1 architecture inc.
- Riel Construction Office, (Dugald, MB) | Republic Architecture Inc.
- Sam Centre (Calgary, AB) | Diamond Schmitt Architects
- G7 Summit – Interior Renovations (Kananaskis, AB) | 1×1 architecture
VIEW A VIDEO COMPILATION OF THIS YEAR’S WINNERS HERE: https://cwc.ca/WoodDesignandBuildingAwards2025/
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Sarah Hicks
Communications Manager, Canadian Wood Council
1-705-796-3381 | shicks@cwc.ca
Innovative Strategies for Light-Frame Mid-Rise Buildings in High-Seismic Regions presents a detailed design example and practical guidance for engineers and builders responding to rising seismic demands on Canada’s West Coast. With the 2020 National Building Code of Canada significantly increasing seismic forces—particularly in Vancouver and Vancouver Island—conventional light-wood-frame (dimensional lumber) shearwall systems often no longer meet code requirements without costly additions.
This guide, prepared by WHM Structural Engineers for WoodWorks BC and the Canadian Wood Council, explores two high-capacity shearwall solutions: Mid+Std walls, a code-compliant adaptation of Midply construction that achieves roughly 50% greater capacity than standard walls without increasing wall length, and Double Nail walls, a research-based approach using double rows of edge nails to match Mid+Std strength. Combined with lightweight floor topping strategies, these systems enable six-storey light-frame buildings to remain viable and cost-competitive even on poor soils and in the highest seismic regions.
Cost analysis shows Mid+Std walls incur about a 30% framing cost increase over baseline, while Double Nail walls add about 20%, both more economical than doubling corridor wall lines. The publication includes complete design calculations, construction considerations, and conceptual connection details to help practitioners implement these strategies confidently.
This resource equips designers, contractors, and owners with practical, innovative approaches to maintain the competitiveness of light-frame wood construction while meeting the stringent seismic requirements of the latest building codes.
Industrialized offsite construction, also known as prefabricated or modular construction, is a construction method where building materials and components are manufactured and assembled offsite in factories before being transported to the project site for the final assembly. This approach can improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enhance quality compared to the traditional onsite construction. Industrialized offsite construction results from the reality of labour shortages, as well as the desire to automate manufacturing processes and shorten delivery schedules.
As the construction industry evolves and processes are becoming automated, FPInnovations has been working on industrialized offsite construction for the last decade to ensure that the Canadian wood industry maintains its competitiveness. Guided by a comprehensive roadmap developed by FPInnovations and its partners in 2019 to identify the knowledge gaps, FPInnovations accelerated in the past five years to address the impacts of manufacturing and construction changes across the value chain.
Inside the guide
This in-depth guide on offsite wood construction includes chapters on the following topics:
- Design process associated with offsite construction
- Offsite manufacturing process
- Lumber and engineered wood product portfolio available in Canada for offsite construction
- Performance of buildings manufactured offsite
- Essential activities outside of manufacturing plants for offsite construction
- Environmental impacts of offsite construction
September 15, 2025, Ottawa, ON: The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) welcomes the federal government’s launch of the Build Canada Homes (BCH) agency, announced yesterday by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Backed by a robust $13 billion investment and a plan to allocate federally owned lands for development, BCH will fast-track the delivery of affordable, sustainable housing nationwide.
“This commitment to factory-built housing and prefabricated building components, including both mass timber and light wood frame systems, directly supports the architects, engineers, and builders we work with every day. It enables them to rapidly deploy quality homes at scale, while meeting Canada’s sustainability and affordability goals,” said Rick Jeffery, President and CEO of CWC.
“We’re especially encouraged by BCH’s plan to adopt a ‘Buy Canadian’ policy and streamline permitting for bulk projects.”
BCH’s first projects will be launched in Dartmouth, Longueuil, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Edmonton, with construction expected to begin next year. The agency will also work with the Nunavut Housing Corporation to deliver 700 homes, 30% of which will be built off-site and transported to Nunavut.
In advance of this announcement, the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) with Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) submitted recommendations to the BCH Market Sounding Guide highlighting how wood-based modern methods of construction (MMC)—including mass timber, light wood frame, and modular systems—can reduce build times by up to 50%, cut carbon emissions by 30–60%, and lower long-term operating costs.
The CWC and FPAC urges BCH to implement key recommendations from its submission, including:
- Loan guarantees and concessional financing for factory expansion.
- A national “one-window” approval system for factory-built housing.
- A Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DfMA) pattern library.
- Indigenous equity and workforce development tied to housing pipelines.
The CWC stands ready to champion this effort and ensure design and construction professionals have the information and support they need to rapidly deploy the sustainable, affordable homes Canadians need.
–30–
The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is a leading force in advancing building codes and standards for wood construction, ensuring market access for Canadian wood products, and accelerating the adoption of sustainable, wood-based construction solutions in the marketplace. As a national federation of associations, the CWC serves as the unifying voice for our members, who represent hundreds of manufacturers across the country.
Ottawa, Ontario – September 9, 2025 — The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is pleased to welcome BarrierTEK as a new national partner of its WoodWorks program. This collaboration aligns two organizations committed to supporting safe, innovative, and low-carbon construction practices across Canada through education, technical excellence, and strategic market development.
As the construction sector responds to climate imperatives, shifting societal expectations, and progressive building codes, the role of wood in the built environment continues to expand. By combining traditional wood systems with value-added solutions like fire-retardant treatments, project teams can expand the application of wood in diverse building types without compromising performance or design flexibility. This partnership will help raise awareness of the full range of tools and technologies available to support safe, code-compliant wood construction while reinforcing wood’s reputation as a versatile, safe, high-performance building material.
“WoodWorks is proud to collaborate with BarrierTEK to help build industry knowledge and confidence in the proven fire performance of wood construction,” says Martin Richard, Vice President of Market Development and Communications at the Canadian Wood Council. “This partnership supports our broader goal of advancing wood use in all forms by equipping professionals with practical, performance-based solutions.”
“At BarrierTEK, our mission has always been to make fire safety more accessible without compromising the sustainability or affordability of wood construction,” says Ewan Davie, VP Sales at BarrierTEK. “Working alongside WoodWorks allows us to contribute to the national conversation on wood construction and demonstrate how innovation in fireperformance can enhance—not limit—wood’s role in shaping modern construction practices.”
Through shared outreach, resource development, and technical education across the country, this national partnership aims to equip architects, builders, and developers with the knowledge they need to confidently design and build with wood.
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, our members represent hundreds of manufacturers across the country. Our mission is to support our members by accelerating market demand for wood products and championing responsible leadership through excellence in codes, standards, and regulations. We also deliver technical support and knowledge transfer for the construction sector through our 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.
About BarrierTEK
BarrierTEK is a Canadian company based near Edmonton, Alberta, at the forefront of enhanced fire performance of wood construction since 2010. Their team of chemists, engineers, and researchers collaborates with builders, code officials, and fire prevention authorities to develop cost-effective, non-toxic, factory-applied fire-retardant treatments for dimensional lumber, I-joists, OSB/plywood panels, attic trusses, and sheathing. These solutions meet or exceed Canadian and NFPA fire safety standards—while being LEED‑compliant and compatible with conventional construction processes—and are designed to reduce the risk and severity of high‑intensity fires in both single‑family and multi‑family wood buildings, delivering measurable benefits like lower insurance premiums and enhanced community safety.
Ottawa, ON — September 4, 2025 — The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to accelerate the adoption of steel-timber hybrid structural solutions in Canada.
Steel-timber hybrid construction is emerging as a sustainable and efficient approach to modern building design. By combining the strength and durability of steel with the renewable, low-carbon benefits of wood, hybrid systems—such as steel-timber composite floors—can deliver superior structural performance, improved cost efficiency, and faster construction timelines. These benefits are particularly valuable for larger and taller buildings where structural demands are greatest.
To advance this opportunity, CWC and CISC have established a joint Technical Steering Committee. This committee will oversee the strategic use of funds contributed by both organizations to maximize industry impact. Its primary mandate is to support designers, engineers, and builders by developing technical guidance, best practices, and publications that will enable practical, code-compliant solutions for hybrid systems.
“By working together, we aim to provide the industry with the resources it needs to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable building solutions,” said Robert Jonkman, Vice-President, Engineering, Canadian Wood Council.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing construction practices that meet today’s affordability and performance challenges,” added Logan Callele, Director of Engineering, Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.
Further details on upcoming resources, publications, and industry engagement opportunities will be shared in the coming months.
For more information, visit: www.cwc.ca
For media inquiries, please contact:
Martin Richard,
VP, Communications and Market Development
Canadian Wood Council
mrichard@cwc.ca | 1-613-725-4339
About the Canadian Wood Council (CWC)
The Canadian Wood Council is the national association representing manufacturers of Canadian wood products used in construction. Through technical expertise, market development, and education, CWC promotes the responsible use of wood, advancing building practices that are innovative, sustainable, and aligned with Canada’s climate goals.
About the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC)
The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction is the national industry organization representing the structural steel, open web steel joist, and steel plate fabrication industries. CISC works to advance the use of steel in construction through advocacy, education, research, and the development of design and construction resources.
- Stay tuned for details regarding ticket prices and availability! WoodWorks is once again partnering with BUILDEX Vancouver in 2026 to deliver WoodWorks @ BUILDEX — a dedicated program that brings together wood design innovation, technical expertise, and industry perspectives from across Western Canada. This two-day collaboration within BUILDEX will feature 12 education sessions designed to equip architects, engineers, developers, and builders with the latest strategies, technologies, and lessons learned from the field. Some topics include… Business and construction case studies (demonstrating successful projects or processes) Tackling common construction site challenges (installation best practices, moisture mitigation, sequencing strategies) Applied sustainable forestry and sourcing (reclaimed lumber, design for deconstruction, local supply chain solutions) Affordable housing and innovative delivery models Seismic innovations for light-frame mid-rise buildings Hybrid systems combining wood with steel or concrete Prefab and modular applications (light-frame and mass timber) Industry forecasting and economic viability studies Call for Speakers Whether you’ve led a groundbreaking project, developed new approaches to common challenges, or have insights into where the industry is headed, we want to hear from you. Share your expertise as a speaker at WoodWorks @ BUILDEX 2026. The Call for Speakers is open until September 3, 2025. Submit your proposal here. About BUILDEX Vancouver BUILDEX is Western Canada’s largest building and construction event, connecting thousands of design, construction, and real estate professionals. Over two days, attendees explore 350+ exhibits, hear from 200+ industry experts, and discover products, services, and ideas that are shaping the built environment.
- This workshop will present the latest technical information available on our Simpson Strong-Tie product line. This includes the soon-to-be released Strong-Rod Systems catalogue, the recently released 2025 Wood Construction Connectors catalogue, the 2021 Strong-Wall® Shearwalls catalogue, and technical bulletins for Simpson structural fasteners and Simpson concrete anchoring products. Join us for a special, all-day training event. Breakfast, Lunch, and continuing education credits will be provided.
- Join us for a unique house tour showcasing a home constructed with cutting-edge mass timber technology. Witness how this remarkable structure was erected in just 4 days using mass timber panels, revolutionizing traditional construction timelines. Our presentation will highlight the innovation behind this build before guiding you through each level of the home. Enjoy light snacks, engage with our team to learn more about the project, and receive a professional development certificate. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the future of construction!
August 5, 2025 – (Ottawa, ON) The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) welcomes today’s announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney in Kelowna, unveiling a $1.2 billion investment to support Canada’s forest sector and accelerate the use of Canadian wood in domestic construction.
The measures – including $700 million in loan guarantees and $500 million to advance innovation, workforce development, and market diversification – send a strong signal of support for sustainable construction and domestic manufacturing. CWC is encouraged to see federal action aligned with the priorities it has long championed through its technical work in codes and standards and resource program delivery.
“This announcement reinforces the critical role that wood-based solutions can play in meeting Canada’s housing and climate goals,” said Rick Jeffery, President and CEO of the Canadian Wood Council. “The focus on innovation, capacity expansion, and domestic use of wood aligns well with technical insights we’ve shared over many years through our work with government, industry, and the architects, engineers, construction professionals, and developers (AECD) community.”
CWC has worked closely with federal departments and agencies, including Natural Resources Canada, on initiatives such as the Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program, which has demonstrated the ability to de-risk early projects and help scale up Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). These approaches, such as mass timber and prefabrication, are essential to accelerating housing starts while reducing carbon emissions and supporting rural economies across Canada.
“With the Build Canada Homes plan targeting 500,000 new units annually, today’s announcement provides important tools to help scale construction innovation,” Jeffery added. “Ensuring that Canadian wood products are part of the solution is a smart investment in housing, climate action, and economic resilience.”
CWC will continue its work providing technical assistance, education, and data-driven insight to support the successful implementation of federal initiatives. The organization remains committed to working with all levels of government and industry partners to help increase the use of sustainable wood systems in construction.
What does it take to deliver better buildings? In this issue, we explore that question from a couple of different angles—primarily through a look at standout wood projects that demonstrate wood design excellence, but also through a thoughtful feature on offsite prefabrication that invites the construction industry to think critically about how we build and what it will take to build better. Through enhanced collaboration and the expanded use of technology, prefabricated construction—an approach especially well-suited to wood—is transforming the way we design and deliver buildings.
This fall, the Canadian Wood Council is proud to support Woodrise 2025, an international conference coming to Vancouver, British Columbia. As part of this event, the 5th International Congress on tall wood construction, we’ve curated nine immersive tours that offer attendees a unique opportunity to step inside some of the region’s most compelling wood projects for a firsthand look at the leadership and innovation happening here.
If you believe one of the best ways to learn about a building is to walk through it—this is your chance. The full tour lineup is available now at www.woodrise2025.com/offsite-tours. Join us to explore everything from sustainable forest management and advanced manufacturing to some of the region’s most iconic mass timber buildings – experiences that bring together the people, materials, and design approaches shaping the future of low-carbon construction in B.C. and beyond.
We hope this issue inspires you to keep exploring what’s possible with wood—whether in your own projects or out with us on tour.
- 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 what is possible in 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 superior aesthetic appeal. The insights from these two projects present stakeholders with helpful considerations and valuable strategies for integrating mass timber into future developments. Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn how to create flexible, multi-tenant industrial layouts using mass timber systems that are able to accommodate evolving tenant needs. Participants will gain insight into how early-stage collaboration with mass timber suppliers streamlines design, engineering, and construction processes. Participants will gain insight into the role of mass timber in biophilic design, and how its visual warmth and natural materials contribute to wellness-centred spaces that appeal to tenants. Participants will understand how mass timber can be a cost-competitive alternative to steel, especially in volatile markets, and assess its impact on embodied carbon and sustainability goals.
