What Is Cross-Laminated Timber

Cross-Laminated Timber, also known as CLT, is the technology behind TerraLam site access mats. CLT is an innovative material that originated in Austria in the 1990s as part of the Mass Timber movement. Praised for its strength, sustainability, and performance, CLT quickly gained popularity in building construction across Europe and the U.S., often outperforming steel and concrete in specific applications. Recognizing its potential, Sterling adopted CLT for site access over a decade ago, offering a smarter, more sustainable alternative to traditional hardwood mats. Discover why CLT makes all the difference.

An Engineered Product

CLT is a highly engineered product composed of kiln-dried dimensional lumber and industrial adhesive arranged in a specific manner and produced under strict standards. The known strength and bending values of the base material, adhesives, and finished products allow CLT to have science-backed performance values, unlike other wood mat types.

Cross Laminated Design

A key feature of CLT is the layered wood design where each new layer is comprised of several pieces of dimensional lumber and each next layer is rotated 90 degrees. This mesh-like design allows the layer to support the layers above and below it, providing excellent weight distribution qualities and strength.

Exceptional Strength to Weight

The base material of Sterling’s CLT is grade 2 or better Southern Pine, which itself is a very strong wood, rivaling some hardwoods for strength, but also substantially lighter. The strength of the wood is then augmented by the cross-laminated design of the mat and the adhesive, where the sum of the whole is much greater than the individual pieces.

Able to Absorb Shock and Vibration

The multi-layer design of CLT also gives it amazing shock absorption capabilities, allowing it to withstand seismic activity better than many other building materials. It also meets certain blast resistance standards set by the US military. This translates into a mat that handles the rigors of construction activity incredibly well.

Solid, Yet Lightweight

CLT is essentially a solid piece of wood once it’s fully manufactured. The strength of the adhesive bond is designed, manufactured, and tested to be stronger than the wood itself so it generally acts and performs like a single large piece. But despite the nearly solid nature, it’s incredibly lightweight, up to 50% lighter than other comparably sized wood mats.

Discover the TerraLam Difference

Stronger, lighter, and more durable than traditional wood mats, TerraLam offers a smarter ground protection solution for your job site. Choose the superior access mat to improve safety, efficiency, and cost savings for your project.

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