What are the Benefits of Building an Industrial Or Commercial Building with Timber?

Canadian Timberframes, commercial and industrial designer and manufacturer of heavy timber, has seen first hand, the benefits of utilizing heavy timber and mass timber. Our clients and partners have experienced the cost and time savings, timber has brought to their projects as well as an ambience unimaginable without timber.

Benefits of Heavy Timber in Commercial Structures:

• Heavy timber construction can achieve more complex & creative structures, at a better cost than steel
• Off-site premanufactured heavy timber frame allows for shorter construction times & maximized potential production
• Timber frame buildings consume the least energy during production; create healthier environments and better workplaces
• Timber is a renewable resource, sourced from sustainably managed forests, LEED & Green built compatible; timber reduces your carbon footprint

Read the Case Study on Heavy Timber Alaska Cruise Terminal

How Can Canadian Timberframes Be A Part of Your Commercial Build?

For almost 2 decades Canadian Timberframes has been a leader in heavy timber construction and involved in designing, manufacturing and installing many large commercial timber projects.

We have the capability of meeting production schedules, preparing detailed bid proposals for fixed rate contracts, contract administration and meeting or exceeding contracted engineering and construction specifications.

Canadian Timberframes' extensive experience in timber selection and processing, utilization of design software and computerized manufacturing equipment facilitates the speed and accuracy of the timber and connections.

The impressive timber structure has an immense effect upon the human senses; in the same way beautiful scenery or pleasant smells or fine art affect us – the natural beauty of wood evokes the same way. A thoughtfully well-designed space can create the same impression and creating this unique, visually appealing and creative interior can help you stand out from your competitors and makes your retail experience more memorable.

We would be happy to help you out with your next commercial project or quote a set of plans.

Contact Canadian Timberframes

Canadian Timberframes Wall Panel Enclosure System vs Structured Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Wall panels are designed to the exact specifications of your project and are pre cut for windows and doors. Once installed they provide an energy efficient and well-insulated timber frame home.

How do Wall Panel Enclosure Systems Work?

A wall panel enclosure system is a prefabricated exterior wall enclosure system developed to create the thermal envelope that is fastened to the timber frame structure.

All of the timber frame and wall components are designed in one 3D model and detailed shop drawings are produced for each wall panel, this way assembly onsite will be as straight forward as possible. These drawings are utilized for both fabrication at our facility and for assembly on site.

The CTF wall panel is designed and manufactured specifically for each individual project meaning they are pre-cut to interface with the timber structure, beam notches, point loads, windows and doors. Spec & orientation of sidings are also anticipated before manufacturing allowing all wall systems to be detailed & manufactured to accept a variety of exterior siding applications. Interior wall cavities are left open for ease of standard plumbing/ electrical/ mechanical installations. These cavities can then be insulated, vapor retarded & finished to suit using standard construction techniques and to meet a variety of energy/ insulation requirements.

Benefits of our Wall Panel Enclosure System?

• Efficient onsite installation
• Flexible plumbing, electrical and mechanical installation
• Energy efficient, well insulated and air tight
• Designed and manufactured to interface with your timber frame structure
• Less material

Want to know more about our Timber Frame packages that include our Wall Panel Enclosure Systems?

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Just six miles out of Sitka, Alaska lies the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, formerly known as the Old Sitka Dock on Halibut Point Marine. The deep-water port hosts large vessels up to 1,100 ft including cruise ships, yachts, and commercial vessels. With a rise in tourism and forecasted growth over the next ten years, a new terminal was proposed to host the steady increase of visitors to Sitka.

Objective

Create a Terminal Bay that is natural in feeling to compliment the scenic location, is inviting to guests, memorable & cost-efficient.

Design Description

The Sitka Cruise Terminal is a hybrid timber frame structure comprised of glulam and #1 grade Douglas fir timber. Canadian Timberframes used building information modelling (BIM) to create a 3-D model indicating member sizes and connection arrangements. Model information was used to create shop drawings and to control the computer numerical control (CNC) router used to fabricate the timber components.

During the design phase, close communication between the design team (Canadian Timberframes), structural engineers (Fire Tower Engineered Timber), the contractor (McG Constructors), and the supplier (Canadian Timberframes) all worked in partnership to troubleshoot and avoid future installation problems.

“We love the look and feel of the large wood timbers and have many comments from people who have seen the facility. They have all been very positive.” ~Chuck McGraw, McG Contructors

The large-scale timbers are proportionate to the scale of the project and give the space a warm, contemporary and tactile feel, that connects with the natural environment surrounding the terminal.

Building Materials

The timber was grade stamped at Canadian Timberframes in-house sawmill, the timber was cut and stained in the shop, allowing for speedy erection once on site.  Erection went seamlessly McG Constructors, who mentioned it took a similar amount of time as it would have with a steel structure. 

Considerations

The new cruise terminal was originally designed as a steel building. The cost of the steel structure was unappealing to the owners. Canadian Timberframes was brought in by McG Constructors and consulted on the project and the possibility of a heavy timber construction to be considered as a cost-effective solution.

Result

When McG Constructors, Inc compared the two quotes: one using steel for construction materials and the other using heavy timber and glulam for construction, the answer was clear. Heavy timber & glulam supplied by Canadian Timberframes was the way to go. It achieved their objectives and saved them approximately 50% in their construction materials.

Conclusion

The Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal on Halibut Point was originally designed as a steel structure. The heavy timber structure was cost-effective and resulted in a more desirable aesthetic building for tourist traffic. To see the various stages of design and construction of this Terminal please check out the project page.