The Mass Timber system, also known as solid or cross-laminated timber, is gaining traction in Latin America as a sustainable, industrialized, and highly efficient construction alternative. This model allows for building with prefabricated wooden panels, which arrive ready for assembly on-site. Countries like Chile and Uruguay lead the adoption of this technology in the region, while Argentina seeks to close the gap.
Mass Timber relies on components such as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue-Laminated Timber (GLT), two engineered products that use structural laminated wood with high-strength adhesives. CLT is made by bonding orthogonal layers of wood, giving it rigidity and stability for walls, roofs, and floors. GLT, on the other hand, consists of glued layers aligned in the same direction, ideal for long-span columns and beams.
Carlos Mazzey, manager of the Mass Timber Technical Office at Arboreal, explained that the main advantage of this system is its prefabrication: "Each piece is designed, machined, and tailored to the project's needs before arriving on-site. This reduces assembly time and enables cleaner, more precise, and lighter constructions."
Using wood as a structural material also represents an environmental advancement. Its production requires less energy than concrete or steel, contributes to carbon storage, and reduces emission footprints. For this reason, this technology has been adopted in various countries as part of sustainable construction strategies.
In Argentina, interest in Mass Timber is growing, but its implementation remains incipient. Unlike Chile and Uruguay, where industrial plants supply the domestic market, the country lacks an active factory producing internationally certified CLT or GLT.
What's Happening in the Region
Chile has a consolidated forestry industry, with companies producing structural wood panels in series. Local regulations already allow the use of these products in multi-story buildings and public projects. In Uruguay, the company Arboreal operates the largest Mass Timber plant in South America. Located in the Tacuarembó department, it has its own sawmill, precision CNC machinery (Computer Numerical Control, a technology that automates cuts and drilling via computer-controlled tools), and certifications that validate the structural quality of its products.
Mazzey explained that this vertical integration allows for custom-made pieces for each project, from walls and floors to roofs and load-bearing elements. "We work with architects and engineers from structural design to production. Each element arrives with pre-cut, drilled, and milled components ready for assembly," he noted.
Foundations and Assembly
Homes built with Mass Timber require foundations similar to traditional ones. Single-story houses use concrete footings, slabs, or beams. For larger-scale constructions, the material's lightness reduces loads and optimizes foundations, potentially lowering costs.
A 80-square-meter house can be assembled in a week with three people. The high level of industrialization and pre-design allows for on-site assembly without cutting. Structural joints are defined from the project's outset and secured with screws and metal fittings, ensuring safety and speed in execution.
Cladding and Finishes
Exterior and interior finishes depend on architectural design. A key factor for durability is moisture control. Facades must protect the wood from weathering through ventilation systems, breathable membranes, and solutions adapted to the local climate. In some cases, exterior cladding with sheet metal, cement boards, or treated wood is applied.
Indoors, CLT or GLT panels can remain exposed. For this, aspects like fireproofing, utility routing, panel joints, and connection details must be planned from the design phase. The system's versatility also allows for customized finishes, guided by aesthetic and technical criteria.
Maintenance and Durability
Maintaining a Mass Timber home requires checks similar to other constructions. The priority is preventing water infiltration into the structure.
Waterproofing and cross-ventilation solutions are applied. The dimensional stability of CLT and GLT, along with their thermal and acoustic properties, ensures the structure remains in good condition for decades, provided technical recommendations are followed.
Cost per Square Meter
The cost of a solid wood-framed home varies based on prefabrication level, design complexity, project scale, and complementary systems.
According to the Argentine Chamber of Timber (CADAMDA), building with wood reduces environmental impact compared to traditional systems. One square meter built with steel emits 40 kg of CO and consumes 143 kWh; with concrete, it’s 27 kg and 80 kWh. In contrast, a wooden structure emits only 4 kg of CO and requires 22 kWh.
Daniel Vier, president of CADAMDA, emphasized that wood is renewable, recyclable, and carbon-neutral. He also highlighted its thermal and acoustic insulation and humidity regulation properties, which enhance comfort and energy efficiency.
Economically, costs are not marginal. According to CADAMDA, building with structural wood in Argentina starts at $1,700 per square meter and can be 60% higher for more sophisticated projects.
While the system offers speed, precision, and waste reduction, Vier noted that the country must optimize the value chain and incentivize investment. "With a robust forestry industry, proper regulations, and financing, wood can help address housing shortages and boost regional economies," he said.
Future Projections
Over the next decade, Mass Timber could expand in Argentina if certain conditions are met: a national industrial-scale plant, specific regulations for its use in homes and buildings, and greater technical training in design and assembly.
Mazzey noted that potential demand exists, especially in segments valuing sustainability and construction speed.
The advancement of structural wood as a building system will also depend on policies promoting sustainable construction, incentives for renewable-component projects, and tighter integration between design, engineering, and production.
In a context where cleaner, lighter, and faster alternatives are sought to address housing deficits, Mass Timber emerges as a viable option. Chile and Uruguay demonstrate that building wooden structures with quality, precision, and international standards is possible.
In Argentina, the challenge is turning this potential into installed capacity. Other local builders have already erected up to three-story buildings across the country, from Patagonia (San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura) to the Litoral region, with growing interest in industrialized, low-environmental-impact solutions. The sector expects taller buildings in the coming years.
Source:Ambito
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