Visual considerations.
Visual considerations.
Visual considerations.
Visual considerations.
Mass timber can serve as both a structural material and a finish material. The design team’s chosen aesthetic will help govern structural decisions and in turn will impact the overall cost of the structure.
Achieving the desired visual appearance requires attention to the surface quality of the mass timber, moisture management, treatment and coatings, connection detailing and hardware selection, and appropriate care and handling of the material on the jobsite.
Mass timber can serve as both a structural material and a finish material. The design team’s chosen aesthetic will help govern structural decisions and in turn will impact the overall cost of the structure.
Achieving the desired visual appearance requires attention to the surface quality of the mass timber, moisture management, treatment and coatings, connection detailing and hardware selection, and appropriate care and handling of the material on the jobsite.
Mass timber can serve as both a structural material and a finish material. The design team’s chosen aesthetic will help govern structural decisions and in turn will impact the overall cost of the structure.
Achieving the desired visual appearance requires attention to the surface quality of the mass timber, moisture management, treatment and coatings, connection detailing and hardware selection, and appropriate care and handling of the material on the jobsite.
Surface quality.
Surface quality.
Surface quality.
Surface quality.
Surface quality is one of the more important aesthetic considerations for mass timber as it sets the tone of the exposed timber sections.
Surface quality is one of the more important aesthetic considerations for mass timber as it sets the tone of the exposed timber sections.
Surface quality is one of the more important aesthetic considerations for mass timber as it sets the tone of the exposed timber sections.
Surface quality options vary by product.
Surface quality options vary by product.
Surface quality options vary by product.
Surface quality options vary by product.
CLT and glulam have different surface quality options. Because CLT has two faces to each panel, each face can be assigned its own surface quality (though you cannot mix surface qualities on the same face of one panel). Glulam, on the other hand, must have the same surface quality on all four sides.
CLT and glulam have different surface quality options. Because CLT has two faces to each panel, each face can be assigned its own surface quality (though you cannot mix surface qualities on the same face of one panel). Glulam, on the other hand, must have the same surface quality on all four sides.
CLT and glulam have different surface quality options. Because CLT has two faces to each panel, each face can be assigned its own surface quality (though you cannot mix surface qualities on the same face of one panel). Glulam, on the other hand, must have the same surface quality on all four sides.
Cross-laminated timber.
Cross-laminated timber.
Cross-laminated timber.
Cross-laminated timber.
Surface quality options
Surface quality options
Surface quality options
Surface quality options
Visual
Visual
Visual
Visual
An architectural finish suitable for applications that require the highest quality visual appearance, such as in wall panels where a person will be right next to the CLT panel.
An architectural finish suitable for applications that require the highest quality visual appearance, such as in wall panels where a person will be right next to the CLT panel.
An architectural finish suitable for applications that require the highest quality visual appearance, such as in wall panels where a person will be right next to the CLT panel.
View photos
View photos
Industrial-visual
Industrial-visual
Industrial-visual
Industrial-visual
A finish suitable for applications where the panel is visible but not necessarily the focal point of the space, such as in most ceiling applications.
A finish suitable for applications where the panel is visible but not necessarily the focal point of the space, such as in most ceiling applications.
A finish suitable for applications where the panel is visible but not necessarily the focal point of the space, such as in most ceiling applications.
View photos
View photos
Non-visual
Non-visual
Non-visual
Non-visual
A finish suitable for spaces where the CLT is encapsulated or where visual quality is not a concern, such as in parking garages, mechanical/utility rooms, or industrial spaces.
A finish suitable for spaces where the CLT is encapsulated or where visual quality is not a concern, such as in parking garages, mechanical/utility rooms, or industrial spaces.
A finish suitable for spaces where the CLT is encapsulated or where visual quality is not a concern, such as in parking garages, mechanical/utility rooms, or industrial spaces.
View photos
View photos
Samples
Samples
Samples
Samples
We offer physical samples of visual-quality CLT. We do not offer samples of the industrial-visual or non-visual qualities because the size of the sample is too small to effectively represent imperfections that may be present in these two categories. Please refer to photos above for examples of industrial-visual and non-visual appearance.
We offer physical samples of visual-quality CLT. We do not offer samples of the industrial-visual or non-visual qualities because the size of the sample is too small to effectively represent imperfections that may be present in these two categories. Please refer to photos above for examples of industrial-visual and non-visual appearance.
We offer physical samples of visual-quality CLT. We do not offer samples of the industrial-visual or non-visual qualities because the size of the sample is too small to effectively represent imperfections that may be present in these two categories. Please refer to photos above for examples of industrial-visual and non-visual appearance.
Request a sample
CLT surface quality table
CLT surface quality table
CLT surface quality table
CLT surface quality table
Visual
Visual
Visual
Industrial-visual
Industrial-visual
Industrial-visual
Non-visual
Non-visual
Non-visual
Best for
Best for
Best for
Applications that require the highest-quality visual appearance.
Applications that require the highest-quality visual appearance.
Applications where panel is visible but not necessarily the focal point.
Applications where panel is visible but not necessarily the focal point.
Applications where visual appearance is not a concern.
Applications where visual appearance is not a concern.
Surface finish
Surface finish
Surface finish
Sanded
Sanded
Sanded
Sanded
≤ 10% of the surface may not be sanded
≤ 10% of the surface may not be sanded
Wood species
Wood species
Wood species
One single species
One single species
One single species
One single species
Addition of other timber species permitted
Addition of other timber species permitted
Moisture content
Moisture content
Moisture content
≤ 11%
≤ 11%
≤ 15%
≤ 15%
≤ 15%
≤ 15%
Narrow side bonding
Narrow side bonding
Narrow side bonding
Occasional open joints permitted
≤ 1/16" (1 mm)
Occasional open joints permitted
≤ 1/16" (1 mm)
Occasional open joints permitted
≤ 1/16" (2 mm)
Occasional open joints permitted
≤ 1/16" (2 mm)
Occasional open joints permitted
≤ 1/18" (3 mm)
Occasional open joints permitted
≤ 1/18" (3 mm)
Discoloration
Discoloration
Discoloration
Slight discoloration permitted ≤ 1%
Slight discoloration permitted ≤ 1%
Slight discoloration permitted ≤ 3%
Slight discoloration permitted ≤ 3%
Permitted
Permitted
Knots - sound
Knots - sound
Knots - sound
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Permitted
Knots - black
Knots - black
Knots - black
Occasional occurrences permitted ≤ 9/16" (15 mm)
Occasional occurrences permitted ≤ 9/16" (15 mm)
Permitted ≤ 1 3/16" (30 mm)
Permitted ≤ 1 3/16" (30 mm)
Permitted
Permitted
The above table refers to surface qualities for Stora Enso CLT only.
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Glulam.
Glulam.
Glulam.
Glulam.
We offer two surface quality options for our glulam columns and beams:
We offer two surface quality options for our glulam columns and beams:
We offer two surface quality options for our glulam columns and beams:
Visual
Visual
Visual
Visual
An architectural finish suitable for applications that require the highest quality visual appearance such as in exposed columns and beams where people will be right next to the glulam material. This quality matches the CLT visual surface quality.
An architectural finish suitable for applications that require the highest quality visual appearance such as in exposed columns and beams where people will be right next to the glulam material. This quality matches the CLT visual surface quality.
An architectural finish suitable for applications that require the highest quality visual appearance such as in exposed columns and beams where people will be right next to the glulam material. This quality matches the CLT visual surface quality.
Non-visual
Non-visual
Non-visual
Non-visual
A finish suitable for spaces where the glulam is encapsulated or where visual quality is not a concern, such as in parking garages, mechanical/utility rooms, or industrial spaces. This quality matches the CLT non-visual surface quality.
A finish suitable for spaces where the glulam is encapsulated or where visual quality is not a concern, such as in parking garages, mechanical/utility rooms, or industrial spaces. This quality matches the CLT non-visual surface quality.
A finish suitable for spaces where the glulam is encapsulated or where visual quality is not a concern, such as in parking garages, mechanical/utility rooms, or industrial spaces. This quality matches the CLT non-visual surface quality.
Coatings and color.
Coatings and color.
Coatings and color.
Coatings and color.
We offer several options for factory-applied coatings and a range of color to both protect the mass timber during installation and alter the color depending on the design team’s chosen aesthetic.
We offer several options for factory-applied coatings and a range of color to both protect the mass timber during installation and alter the color depending on the design team’s chosen aesthetic.
We offer several options for factory-applied coatings and a range of color to both protect the mass timber during installation and alter the color depending on the design team’s chosen aesthetic.
Protective coatings.
Protective coatings.
Protective coatings.
Protective coatings.
Hydrophobic
Hydrophobic
Hydrophobic
Hydrophobic
Helps protect the mass timber from moisture penetration during construction and provides both visual and structural benefits.
Helps protect the mass timber from moisture penetration during construction and provides both visual and structural benefits.
Helps protect the mass timber from moisture penetration during construction and provides both visual and structural benefits.
UV Hydrophobic
UV Hydrophobic
UV Hydrophobic
UV Hydrophobic
Helps protect the mass timber from uneven coloring that can occur from exposure to sunlight.
Helps protect the mass timber from uneven coloring that can occur from exposure to sunlight.
Helps protect the mass timber from uneven coloring that can occur from exposure to sunlight.
UV Hydrophobic examples
Color.
Color.
Color.
Color.
Coatings are available in three options pictured below and can be combined with UV protection.
Coatings are available in three options pictured below and can be combined with UV protection.
Coatings are available in three options pictured below and can be combined with UV protection.
Photo: Stora Enso
Photo: Stora Enso
Factory-applied coatings for maximum quality and efficiency.
Factory-applied coatings for maximum quality and efficiency.
Factory-applied coatings for maximum quality and efficiency.
Factory-applied coatings for maximum quality and efficiency.
Advanced coating technology employed by Stora Enso ensures even application, minimal waste, and eliminates challenges posed by field-application such as introduction of contaminates to the panel surface during application on the jobsite.
Advanced coating technology employed by Stora Enso ensures even application, minimal waste, and eliminates challenges posed by field-application such as introduction of contaminates to the panel surface during application on the jobsite.
Advanced coating technology employed by Stora Enso ensures even application, minimal waste, and eliminates challenges posed by field-application such as introduction of contaminates to the panel surface during application on the jobsite.
Consider visual options early.
Consider visual options early.
Consider visual options early.
Consider visual options early.
When it comes to the visual appearance of your mass timber structure, you’ve got options! We’ll work closely with you to make sure the visible structure lives up to the design team’s expectations.
When it comes to the visual appearance of your mass timber structure, you’ve got options! We’ll work closely with you to make sure the visible structure lives up to the design team’s expectations.
When it comes to the visual appearance of your mass timber structure, you’ve got options! We’ll work closely with you to make sure the visible structure lives up to the design team’s expectations.
© Fort Point Timber Inc.
build@fortpointtimber.com
75 Federal St Ste 1300
Boston, MA 02110
© Fort Point Timber Inc.
build@fortpointtimber.com
75 Federal St Ste 1300
Boston, MA 02110
© Fort Point Timber Inc.
build@fortpointtimber.com
75 Federal St Ste 1300
Boston, MA 02110
© Fort Point Timber Inc.
build@fortpointtimber.com
75 Federal St Ste 1300
Boston, MA 02110