3.1.9 Construction

In modern buildings, adhesives are used almost everywhere because of their ability to combine different materials and offer fully sealed joints. They can be used for applications such as carpet laying, wallpapering, ceramic tiling, lamination of wood panels, bonding and sealing of ventilation and in water and heating systems. Adhesives also play an essential role in the manufacture of windows and doors. Specifically, fire doors use flame retardant adhesives that have passed severe testing.

Mass timber is a structural load-bearing element made from solid lumber glued together to form columns, beams and large format panels. Unlike traditional materials, such as concrete or steel, mass timber is renewable. Mass timber is earthquake resistant, difficult to burn and sequesters (stores) CO². Mass timber can be used to construct virtually anything, including high-rise buildings, multifamily homes, office buildings, factories and warehouses. It is lighter than concrete or steel, so it produces less carbon during transportation. According to industry studies, there is also an emotional benefit: People feel calmer and more productive in wooden buildings than in concrete or steel structures.

An impressive example of ongoing development in engineered timber construction is Brock Commons, the 18-story dormitory block at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. The building is 53 metres high, with accommodations for 404 students. During the construction period of just 66 days, 1,302 glued and laminated timber supports and 464 cross-laminated beams were joined together around two staircases and elevator shafts of concrete to form the load-bearing structure. Using an engineered timber solution allowed the above benefits to be realised and reduced the construction time.