Cross-laminated timber: a state-of-the-art review of moisture, fire, acoustics, and energy-related aspects

Review article, 2025

The increasing use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in construction has encouraged research on moisture, fire, acoustics, and energy performance. These areas are crucial for CLT buildings' functionality and durability and are typically addressed together during design. This study reviewed current knowledge, identifies gaps and explores synergies and conflicts among these areas, while briefly addressing the environmental impact of CLT buildings. Key findings include that airtightness is critical but often overlooked, making field and lab measurements essential. Junctions between CLT elements pose challenges in modeling sound and vibration transfer, and water absorption and removal, necessitating further research on junction robustness. More attention should be given to CLT's limited thermal mass and its impact on overheating risks, cooling demands, and fire development. Enhanced ventilation has a limited impact on off-gassing of volatile organic compounds. Covering CLT panels may be beneficial for energy efficiency, fire safety, and acoustics. Environmental impact assessments of buildings are complex and often neglect operational technical aspects. The aspects identified here are crucial for extending the service life of CLT buildings and enabling the reuse of CLT elements in circular economy value chains. Methodological innovations are needed to enhance evaluation flexibility across entire value chains.