One of US Framing’s recent projects was Fifty West Realty’s signature property in Clermont, Florida. We had the privilege of working with the developer to complete its three-story custom commercial building. Its ground floor could be used as a medical, professional, or retail space, while the second and third floors can be transformed into modern office spaces.
About the 50 West Building
The state-of-the-art Fifty West Building is the first of its kind in Central Florida. It was constructed out of cross-laminated timber, showcased 14ft ceilings, and featured an exterior glass enclosure. Fifty West developers took sustainable, low carbon, and high-performance building applications into serious consideration during the building’s design and planning phases. According to Tom Kovatch (Fifty West Realty Principal), the real estate developer wanted to build something special in their community. In addition to developing an original and beautiful property, they did so while advocating a green and socially responsible alternative to commercial construction.
50 West Building featured structural timber elements with glass wrapped shells, custom exterior LED lighting systems, and class A amenities. As a result, the building had a unique blend of modern elements, ample sunlight, and a natural design. The developers even installed a probiotic environmental system throughout the property to clean the air and surface area, to maintain a healthy microbiome for tenants and visitors.
What is Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)?
Cross-laminated timber first made its appearance in Europe. Due to a joint research in Austria, CLT was produced in its modern form in the mid-1990s. CLT is widely used in Europe because of its lightweight properties, strength, sustainability, and ease of use. Builders could use the material in a wide variety of construction applications. CLT is usually created by finger jointing dimensional lumber (kiln-dried) and gluing parts in perpendicular layers. The layering process is repeated until the desired thickness is achieved (i.e., between three and seven layers). These CLT panels are then compressed and left to dry.
Today, cross-laminated timber is useful in an array of construction applications. Its panels have been used for roofs, floors, and walls in both non-load-bearing and load-bearing structures. In addition, the material can be used to construct low-, mid-, and high-rise properties (up to 30 floors).
Why Use Cross-Laminated Timber?
CLT is more stable than other types of hardwood; it eliminates the inconsistencies normally found in unmodified wood. Thanks to the panels’ cross-grain layers, CLT is less likely to deform under the effects of moisture. The good thing about cross-laminated timber is that it can be prefabricated off-site and then assembled on site. This significantly speeds up the construction process, reduces waste, and releases less pollutants like dust and noise. Compared to concrete, it requires half the energy to manufacture and erect CLT structures.
US Framing is One of the Leading Mass Timber Contractors for Cross-Laminated Timber
At US Framing, we have years of experience providing wood and CLT framing solutions for multifamily properties, adult living facilities, hotels, student housing, and retirement communities. With our expertise in all types of wood framing construction, we will guide clients every step of the way to ensure a successful wood frame project.
For more information about our CLT framing solutions, feel free to contact us today.
