composite / Timber-Based Composite / Nail-Laminated Timber
Nail Laminated Timber (NLT), various thicknesses (Specified by timber dimension used)
Mass timber panels formed by nail-fastening dimensional lumber on edge; commonly used for floors and roofs with panel thicknesses tied to lumber size.
Atlas code
COM-TBC-NLT-001
At-a-glance signals
Mass timber panels formed by nail-fastening dimensional lumber on edge; commonly used for floors and roofs with panel thicknesses tied to lumber size.
Overview
Executive summary
Nail-laminated timber (NLT) is made from dimensional lumber (2x4 to 2x12) stacked on edge and fastened together with nails or screws to form structural panels. It is a one-way panel system used for floors, roofs, and sometimes walls, and can be fabricated offsite or assembled on site with standard carpentry tools.
Best when…
- Simple manufacturing process - no adhesives required
- Can be fabricated on-site or prefabricated
- Excellent structural properties with Australian eucalyptus
- Carbon negative over lifecycle (-40 to -60 kg CO₂e/m²)
- 100% recyclable and biodegradable
- Lower cost potential compared to CLT
- Good thermal performance (R0.77-2.48 depending on thickness)
- Compatible with existing timber construction skills
- FSC/PEFC certification available
Top advantages
- 01 Simple manufacturing process - no adhesives required
- 02 Can be fabricated on-site or prefabricated
- 03 Excellent structural properties with Australian eucalyptus
- 04 Carbon negative over lifecycle (-40 to -60 kg CO₂e/m²)
- 05 100% recyclable and biodegradable
Top limitations
- 01 No current Australian manufacturers
- 02 Poor acoustic performance without enhancement
- 03 AS 2082 visual grading unsuitable for young plantation eucalyptus
- 04 Requires moisture content control below 15%
- 05 Limited fire resistance without protection
Technical
Physical ·7
- Density
- 430-545 kg/m3 Typical range for SPF to Douglas-fir at ~12% moisture content.
- Specific gravity
- 0.35-0.48 Typical range for SPF to Douglas-fir at ~12% moisture content.
- Porosity
- 65 %
- UV resistance
- Low // Requires protection for exterior
- Chemical resistance
- Limited // pH dependent, avoid alkaline
- pH tolerance
- 4.5-7.5
- Surface roughness
- 12.5 µm
Mechanical ·6
- Tensile strength
- 14 MPa
- Compressive strength
- 35 MPa
- Flexural strength
- 64-85 MPa Typical MOR range for SPF to Douglas-fir at ~12% moisture content.
- Shear strength
- 2.4 MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.4
- Creep resistance
- Moderate // Standard timber behaviour
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·6
- Embodied carbon
- -1.1
- Carbon footprint
- -50
- Embodied energy
- 3 MJ/kg
- Recycled content
- 0 %
- Renewable content
- 100 %
- Circular score
- 8.5
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·4
- Combustibility class
- Combustible // AS 1530.1:2024
- Fire resistance level
- 30-180 // minutes (protection dependent)
- Ignition temp
- 300 °C
- Smoke dev. index
- 750
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
- Material cost (range)
- 80-120 // $/m² (estimated based on import costs)
- Material cost (per unit)
- 100 // $/m² (mid-range estimate)
- Lead time
- 8-12 weeks // International shipping
- Lifecycle cost
- 150-200 // $/m² (40-year analysis)
- Annual maintenance
- 2-5 // $/m²/year (interior applications)
- Market availability
- Import only // No Australian manufacturers
Service life & durability ·2
- Expected lifespan
- 40+ // years (protected interior)
- Maintenance interval
- 5-10 // years (inspection and recoating)
Layer D
Where it's used
Structural floors (89-286mm thickness)
Roof decking (64mm minimum)
Load-bearing walls
Elevator shafts
Heritage building renovations
Industrial warehouse construction
Educational facilities
Multi-residential buildings (with acoustic treatment)
Exposed ceiling applications