The construction industry loves to talk about “the next big thing.” Yet most of the time, “new” just means tweaking an old method or shaving a few cents off per square foot. But every so often, a material comes along that genuinely changes how we think about building. One such material is quietly making its way from Europe’s skylines to North America’s neighborhoods: Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT).
For years, CLT has been the darling of tall commercial buildings in Austria, Norway, and Germany — but in 2025, it’s starting to elbow its way into the conversation about single-family housing here in the U.S. and Canada. And it’s about time.
From Forest to Future: What Makes CLT So Different
Unlike traditional stick-frame lumber, CLT panels are massive, prefabricated slabs of engineered wood. Layers of planks are glued perpendicular to each other, creating panels that are incredibly strong, dimensionally stable, and structurally rigid in both directions.
They’re precision-cut in factories using Computer numerical control (CNC) machinery, which means less waste, fewer errors, and parts that fit together like puzzle pieces on-site. That also means faster builds, lower labor costs, and far fewer weather delays during assembly.
Architects love them because they allow wide spans, soaring ceilings, and clean exposed-wood aesthetics. Homeowners love them because they bring natural warmth and character to interiors that steel and concrete simply can’t match.
The Sustainability Advantage
CLT isn’t just beautiful — it’s one of the most sustainable structural materials available.
- Carbon storage: Every cubic meter of CLT stores about a ton of CO₂ that trees absorbed while growing.
- Lower embodied energy: It takes far less energy to produce CLT than to manufacture concrete or steel.
- Responsibly sourced: Most CLT today is made from fast-growing softwoods harvested from certified sustainable forests.
In a housing market increasingly shaped by environmental regulations, that’s more than just a feel-good perk — it’s a competitive edge.
Why 2025 Might Be CLT’s Breakthrough Year
While CLT has struggled to compete with stick framing on price, several new developments in 2025 are starting to change the equation:
- Domestic manufacturing expansion: New U.S. CLT plants from firms like SmartLam North America, Structurlam, and Freres Engineered Wood have cut lead times and freight costs dramatically.
- Hybrid design systems: Architects are pairing CLT floor and wall panels with light-frame roofs or modular MEP pods, trimming costs without sacrificing sustainability or aesthetics.
- Code approvals: The 2024 updates to the International Code Council (ICC) building code have made it easier to use CLT in residential structures up to three stories, opening the door for multifamily and even single-family designs.
- AI-driven optimization: New software platforms are using Artificial intelligence to automate CLT panel layouts for maximum yield from raw timber — pushing material costs down and productivity up.
These changes are quietly eroding the old “too expensive” objection.
A Call to Single-Family Architects and Builders
For decades, residential builders have defaulted to stick-frame construction because it’s familiar and cheap. But as younger buyers demand sustainability, speed, and stunning design, it might be time to break that habit.
Imagine homes with solid-wood walls that arrive ready to assemble, offering insulation, structure, and style in one package. Imagine cutting framing schedules from weeks to days while offering buyers a home that feels truly different from the cookie-cutter competition.
That’s the promise of CLT — and it’s no longer just for commercial towers. It’s here, it’s proven, and it’s finally getting affordable enough to matter.
Maybe 2025 is the year we stop asking if CLT belongs in single-family construction — and start asking how soon we can get it on our job sites.
.
With over 9,000 published articles on modular and offsite construction, Gary Fleisher remains one of the most trusted voices in the industry.
.
CLICK HERE to read the latest edition
Contact Gary Fleisher
