Why Wood Works for Commercial Buildings

By any measure, wood works hard when it comes to satisfying the needs of commercial builders, developers, architects and owners.

Flexibility — Engineered wood products such as Glu-Lam and laminated veneer lumber combine strength with flexible design characteristics. This allows architects to design spaces that include large open spans. Engineered beams can be designed in sweeping curves, trusses and a variety of other forms and then finished to reveal their natural beauty.

Affordability — Wood has always been a cost-effective alternative to conventional commercial construction materials. But recent hikes in steel prices make wood more affordable than ever.

Environmentally Friendly — A growing trend in commercial building is the use of "green" materials. Not only is wood renewable and sustainable over the long term, engineered wood products are made using all parts of the tree—which minimizes waste and makes responsible use of the resource. Wood products also require less energy during manufacture and help to reduce energy costs when used inside the building.