Mass timber in the market: for today’s project challenges, wood construction has solutions

As Canada is asking builders to deliver structures that rise out of the ground faster, hit sharper budgets and perform like never before, mass timber is spreading into the mainstream. And delivering results.

The experts in mass timber engineering, architecture, manufacturing and assembly who are pushing this effort forward are brimming with knowledge — and they’re eager to share it. As such, WoodWorks BC has partnered with BUILDEX Vancouver 2026 (Feb 11-12, 2026, at Vancouver Convention Centre West) to facilitate further education and exploration, bringing innovative ideas to the wood construction industry.

“We’re focusing on practical solutions,” said WoodWorks BC Executive Director Annabelle Hamilton. “[The event’s conversations will] feature individuals in the industry who are delivering projects, and attendees can hear about lessons learned, best practices, and more. [The insight] will really help advise them on how to deliver lightwood frame and mass timber projects successfully.” 

WoodWorks — the market development program of the Canadian Wood Council — is staffed by architects, engineers, and construction experts who help teams identify and realize wood solutions for their projects. The non-profit organization’s services include free project support for multi-family residential, commercial and non residential building, a robust nationwide continuing education program, and a wide range of on demand resources.

Hamilton explained that B.C.’s wood industry has been growing and innovating for decades, but as pressure mounts to build faster and better, the business case for mass timber and other wood products is having a breakout moment. This is, in part, thanks to more acceptance in building codes. 

Hamilton noted that in 2024, encapsulated mass timber codes opened office and residential buildings up to 18 storeys, introduced new occupancies, and updated encapsulation rules to create more opportunities for exposing mass timber. 

“With these codes, there is an opportunity for new markets to develop,” said Hamilton.

For mass timber, this creates a unique and specific window for possibility: the 7- to 18-storey range. Reason-being, concrete projects generally stretch far taller, while wood frame structures are capped at 6 storeys. 

“This [range] is exactly where mass timber is positioned to do really well. It’s where the schedule can be optimized and costs are competitive with conventional materials,” said Hamilton. “We see a really big opportunity for mass timber to go mainstream, and come into the private sector where, historically, it hasn’t been used as frequently.” 

The latest data from WoodWorks shows that when these structures are planned with mass timber in mind, the costs are competitive, risks are manageable and minimized, and the projects demonstrate added value through local economic development and lower environmental impact than conventional materials. 

“There are many opportunities to optimize the design, layout, structural system, installation approach, and the overall project schedule,” Hamilton said, noting that many of these advantages stem from the prefabricated nature of mass timber — which is produced offsite and then delivered for rapid assembly. 

Another big signal of mass timber adoption is the notable ramp up in mass timber manufacturing capacity. Major producers, including Kalesnikoff, Western Archrib and Spearhead Timberworks, have recently made large investments in factories, suggesting they expect demand to continue rising. 

Who’s building with engineered wood products is also shifting. Years ago, mass timber was primarily used by the institutional sector, which was an early adopter in wood technology. But now, housing providers in the private sector are also showing interest — and that interest is growing. 

Case in point, local governments across BC are embedding stronger support for mass timber through multiple policy levers; including density bonus pathways, design variances, and updates to Official Community Plan policies that explicitly identify and allow for mass timber construction. 

Further, The Exchange in Kelowna and The Hive in Vancouver are examples of how mass timber is rising up in the commercial and office markets. 

“We’re excited about the adoption of tall residential for mass timber, and we’ve started to see a lot of interest from the non-profit and affordable housing sector, who are looking for a more standardized approach,” said Hamilton. 

This sentiment plugs into the broader movement of industrialized construction, and the kit-of-parts approach that is picking up momentum across Canada today.

For those interested in learning more, for this year’s rendition of BUILDEX, WoodWorks has curated 10 hours of accredited educational seminars dedicated to wood product construction. 

This includes two BUILDEX Main Stage Keynotes featuring pioneering voices from the mass timber, urban design, and development communities. Attendees will also have direct access to technical expertise from suppliers, manufacturers, and wood engineering consultants.

To get hands on with materials, attendees can also visit the “WoodWorks Pavilion”, an experience dedicated to structural and finishing wood products made in Western Canada. 

To learn more about B.C. wood construction and to gain exclusive insights from industry leaders, sign up for WoodWorks at BUILDEX.