CLT versus Tongue & Groove
17/12/2020
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CLT versus Tongue & Groove sounds like someone who could be in line for this year’s Christmas number one.
But we’re talking mass timber panels.
CLT (cross-laminated timber) panels are commonly used for roofs, walls and flooring.
There is, however, a lesser-known alternative in tongue and groove glulam elements. These are basically beams turned on their sides with a tongue and groove profile cut into them. They can be up to 40% cheaper per square metre than CLT.
The main pros and cons of the two systems:
| Category | CLT | Tongue & Groove |
|---|---|---|
| Structural | CLT is more flexible for cutting openings and working as a two-way spanning structure. | It’s not so easy to form openings with tongue and groove glulam and it works best for one-way spanning situations. |
| Flexibility on-site | The design usually needs to be 100% finalized. Cutting CLT on-site is not advisable. | Trimming pieces on-site is easier as they are smaller pieces. |
| Cost | Can be expensive especially for smaller projects. | Up to 40% cheaper per square meter than CLT. |
| Appearance | CLT is good for uniform looking slabs. | Very similar looking to CLT except for the joints between the panels are slightly more visible. |
| Availability | Lead times can be quite variable for CLT. | Usually available on a 3-4 week lead time. |
| Install speed | Bigger panels which install quicker. | Smaller pieces so install can be slower. |
If you’re considering CLT for a project and need some technical advice, contact Keith by email keith@bucklandtimber.co.uk or by telephone on 01363 891 363.
CLT (top) versus tongue and groove (bottom) being installed on-site.