Revolutionizing Construction with Advanced engineered Wood Flooring
Buildings contribute considerably to global carbon emissions even before they are occupied. The manufacturing of construction materials combined with the building process accounts for nearly 11% of worldwide carbon emissions, underscoring the critical need for sustainable alternatives in modern architecture.
Emerging Trends in Hybrid Timber Architecture
Although timber skyscrapers have recently captured attention by redefining urban skylines, wood is unlikely to entirely replace steel and concrete in tall buildings anytime soon. Rather, innovative hybrid designs that integrate wood with other materials are gaining traction as a way to enhance both environmental sustainability and structural performance.
A Chilean Innovation: Strong by Form’s Engineered Wood Panels
A pioneering startup from Chile, Strong by Form, has developed an engineered wood product aimed at replacing conventional concrete and steel components within floor systems. This breakthrough allows architects to design lighter structures that significantly reduce carbon footprints without sacrificing strength or durability.
The company’s CEO highlights their focus on hybrid construction rather than purely wooden buildings. Their patented floor panels can span up to 10 meters (approximately 33 feet), nearly twice the length achievable by conventional cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors which typically max out around 5 meters.
The Science Behind This Next-Generation Wood Technology
At first glance, these panels resemble standard CLT slabs commonly used on job sites; however, their internal structure is fundamentally different. Instead of solid layers of wood throughout,the core contains carefully engineered cavities filled with compressed wood shavings shaped into wave-like boards optimized for load-bearing capacity.
This concept builds upon oriented strand board (OSB) technology but advances it through proprietary software that meticulously controls flake size and orientation paired with an environmentally amiable adhesive binder-resulting in a structurally enhanced OSB variant tailored specifically for demanding architectural applications.
The Advantages of Reduced Weight in Construction
The lightweight nature of these engineered floors enables builders to minimize reliance on heavy steel or concrete framing elements across entire structures. By lowering overall mass while meeting rigorous standards-including fire resistance and load-bearing certifications-Strong by form achieves cost competitiveness comparable to traditional concrete solutions despite higher initial material expenses.
- Lighter flooring reduces stress on foundations
- Decreased need for extensive steel reinforcement within frames
- Simplified installation compatible with existing CLT connection techniques
Expanding Uses Beyond Structural Flooring Panels
Beyond structural applications, Strong by Form has created ultra-thin panels measuring just three millimeters thick designed as interior finishes rather than load-bearing components. These subtly textured surfaces are currently being tested inside passenger train cars where they improve aesthetics while reducing vehicle weight-a key factor enhancing energy efficiency during transit operations globally.
Paving the Way Toward Large-Scale Production and Industry Impact
The startup is rigorously testing it’s long-span floor panels against stringent engineering benchmarks before scaling production through upcoming investment rounds aimed at launching pilot manufacturing facilities. Their vision centers on widespread adoption within commercial construction projects where cutting embodied carbon can substantially advance climate goals worldwide.
