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Mass Timber Construction with LIGNOLOC® Wooden Nails

Circular construction without full-surface adhesives and metal

With LIGNOLOC® wooden nails, architects, planners, and timber construction companies have access to an environmentally responsible, efficient, and aesthetically refined alternative to conventional fastening methods in solid timber construction. Manufactured from European beech wood and offering substantial advantages, these wooden fasteners reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 66% compared to steel nails. Thermal bridges in timber structures made of glulam, nail-laminated timber, and log wall systems are eliminated, while corrosion is effectively prevented. The pneumatic driving method not only accelerates the installation process but also eliminates the need for pre-drilling. The LIGNOLOC® system is ideally suited for the production of cross-laminated timber panels and modular timber construction elements. CLT panels and elements are enhanced with the innovative wooden nail system by BECK to create LCLT: LIGNOLOC® cross-laminated timber.

THE INNOVATION: A SOLID TIMBER WALL FASTENED WITH LIGNOLOC® – WITHOUT GLUE OR STEEL NAILS!

Learn more about LIGNOLOC® Wooden Nails

In a timber construction project with LIGNOLOC®, everyone benefits: timber builders, craftsmen, the residents of the buildings – and of course, our environment.

 

 

LCLT VS. CLT

WHY CLIENTS SHOULD CHOOSE LIGNOLOC® CLT (LCLT)

01

Reduction of greenhouse gases

In addition to CO2 storage for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the prefabrication of solid wood elements enables shorter construction times and fewer emissions on the construction site.

02

Reduced construction time and time savings

LIGNOLOC® CLT solid wood elements enable a reduced construction time and thus a significant saving of labor time.

03

No thermal bridges

Solid wood buildings offer high thermal protection and impress with their low energy consumption.

04

Pure circular economy

Solid wood walls made of LIGNOLOC® CLT are completely recyclable and can be returned to the material cycle in a pure form.

05

More residential health

Components made of LCLT are vapor-permeable and naturally regulate the indoor air humidity: residential health at the highest level.

06

Pure Aesthetics and natural atmosphere

Solid wood constructions impress with their pure aesthetics and create a warm, natural atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home.

Cross-Laminated Timber: LIGNOLOC® wooden nails enhance the benefits of CLT Elements

With LIGNOLOC®, cross-laminated timber (CLT) becomes LIGNOLOC® CLT (LCLT): A purely wood-based construction method that, unlike conventional CLT, does not require glue, and unlike NLT (Nail Laminated Timber), does not require metallic connectors. LIGNOLOC® CLT is the answer to the high demand for sustainable wall and ceiling elements in innovative timber construction projects.

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LIGNOLOC® wooden nails are protected by patents and have building approvals for the entire EU and USA, as well as an EPD: The high safety and performance of this fastening method are thus confirmed.

Wooden nails excel both ecologically and technically

Compared to steel nails, they reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 66% and exhibit high tensile and shear strength. Due to their low thermal conductivity, wooden nails improve insulation values and contribute to energy efficiency. In the event of a fire, they form a charred protective layer, which improves their burning behavior.

Mass timber panels made of LIGNOLOC® CLT (LCLT): A circular and disassemblable building material.

By using wooden nails in LCLT components, disassemblability of mass timber walls is significantly improved. The constructions can be easily dismantled at the end of their lifecycle, and the materials can be reused or recycled. The need for surface gluing of wood products, such as ceiling and wall elements, is eliminated. Mass timber modules made of LIGNOLOC® CLT thus support the principles of the circular economy and reduce construction waste by enabling sustainable resource use.

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‟The highlight of our product is its sustainability. Working with pure wood has always been a major focus in timber construction. The aim is to connect wood with wood. This perfectly reflects the spirit of our times.”

Stefan Siemers

Director Research & Development | BECK

Combined benefits: Wooden nails in mass timber construction

In mass timber construction, load-bearing components such as walls, ceilings, and roofs are made from solid wood. Compared to traditional timber frame construction, this building method offers a number of advantages. Interiors in mass timber construction impress with their aesthetic quality. The visible wood radiates a warm and natural atmosphere, which can positively impact the well-being of people inhabiting the space. Wooden nails, as an innovative fastening method, significantly expand the possibilities of mass timber construction.

Mini-glossary

• What is Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT)?

  Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT) is a building material made of stacked wood boards that are connected by nails. The boards are aligned parallel to each other.

• What is Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)?

  Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a composite material made of several layers of wood that are glued together in a crosswise pattern to increase structural stability. The layers are alternately oriented in different directions.

• What is LIGNOLOC® Cross-Laminated Timber (LCLT)?

  With LIGNOLOC® CLT (LCLT), wood is connected with wood: The crosswise or diagonally arranged wood layers are not joined with metal nails or adhesives, but instead are connected by driving in LIGNOLOC® Wooden Nails. This results in pure solid wood walls and ceilings made of 100% wood.

The ecological benefits are clear: LIGNOLOC® Wooden Nails and LIGNOLOC® CLT (LCLT) represent an environmentally friendly construction method.

Compared to steel nails, the production of wooden nails causes up to 66% less CO₂ emissions. This significant difference makes them a preferred choice for environmentally conscious construction. The nails are made from European beech, a renewable resource. This choice supports sustainable forestry and reduces environmental impact.

LIGNOLOC® in mass timber construction

The technical advantages of a sustainable construction method.

01

MECHANICAL PROPTERTIES AND PROCESSING

Wooden nails are distinguished by their remarkable strength, offering high tensile and shear strength, which is essential for the stability of mass timber constructions.

02

THE WORLD'S FIRST SHOOTABLE WOODEN NAIL

The installation of LIGNOLOC® nails is efficient and time-saving. They are pneumatically driven into the wood using user-friendly handheld tools. As no pre-drilling or gluing is required, the construction process is significantly accelerated.

03

INSULATION VALUES, FIRE BEHAVIOR, AND DURABILITY

The low thermal conductivity of the beech wooden nails improves the insulation values of the entire mass timber wall. In addition, wooden nails are corrosion-resistant. They form a charred layer on the surface, which protects the underlying material from further damage.

04

PATENTED VERSATILITY WITH EU AND US APPROVALS + EPD

The safety and performance of the wooden nails have been confirmed since 2020 through the building approval of LIGNOLOC® wooden nails in load-bearing structures by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt). Additionally, LIGNOLOC® has approvals in the EU and USA, as well as an EPD.

The lignin adhesion effect

Lignin adhesion occurs when two or more wooden pieces or parts of other lignin-rich materials are briefly heated to about 180°C or higher and then compressed together. The heat alters the lignin in the material, making it soft and sticky. Upon cooling, the lignin hardens again. The two lignin-rich layers that were compressed during this time remain bonded together by adhesive forces.

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When does lignin adhesion occur?

The process of lignin adhesion occurs particularly when driving wooden nails into wood. The resulting surface friction between the nail and the wood matrix heats the surface to over 180°C. The nail displaces the wood matrix, which ‟pushes back” in response to the driven nail, thus enhancing the adhesion. When driving in LIGNOLOC® Wooden Nails, ideal conditions with high temperature and flank pressure are created to trigger lignin adhesion. The wooden nails are fastened with twice the withdrawal resistance of a geometrically comparable steel nail.

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Diverse design options and flexibility in interior spaces

Timber builders know: Furniture can be easily and securely mounted on solid wood walls. Thanks to the solid structure of the walls, heavy objects can be fixed directly into the wall attachment, making them ideal for shelves and cabinets. Another advantage of solid wood walls is the flexibility in design: Even after construction, openings for windows or doors can be incorporated without compromising the structural integrity of the wall. The use of LIGNOLOC® CLT enhances these benefits: Solid wood walls made entirely of wood and without metal elements provide a uniform and natural appearance – a clear advantage for interior design and decoration. Machine cutting into cross-laminated timber (CLT) walls nailed with LIGNOLOC® is possible without risk or tool wear.

More about solid wood construction with LIGNOLOC®

Solid wood constructions for all types of buildings

The applications of LIGNOLOC® CLT range from single-layer and three-layer panels, load-bearing and non-load-bearing wall panels, ceiling panels, to interior wall cladding in various thicknesses. Whether for new buildings or renovations, regardless of the building project’s typology, as demonstrated by example references. Solid wood constructions can be used for a variety of building types: from classic single-family homes to multi-story residential buildings, they provide a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing solution that enhances living comfort and meets today’s ecological requirements.

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‟Flexibility, aesthetics, and sustainability: In solid timber construction, LIGNOLOC® wooden nails do not only offer technical and ecological advantages but open up entirely new possibilities in architecture and interior design.”

Michaela Beck

Marketing Director | BECK

FAQ's

What is Mass Timber Construction?

Mass timber construction refers to building methods using large-format, solid wood elements such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glued laminated timber (glulam), or timber frame construction. Unlike traditional timber frame construction, load-bearing and bracing functions in mass timber construction are performed by solid wood components. This approach enables multi-storey buildings and offers outstanding structural, fire protection, and building physics performance.

What is the difference between Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)?

• Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT | Cross Laminated Timber) consists of crosswise bonded layers of wood (3, 5, or 7 layers), providing high strength in all directions. Ideal for walls and floors.
• Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) consists of parallel-bonded timber laminations, optimized for high load-bearing capacity in one direction. Ideal for beams and columns.
• LIGNOLOC® CLT (LCLT) is CLT in which the layers are connected with LIGNOLOC® wooden nails instead of adhesive – completely metal-free and demountable.

How do wood connections work without metal?

LIGNOLOC® wooden nails connect timber components through mechanical fixation without metal elements. During pneumatic driving, temperatures exceeding 180°C are generated, activating the wood’s natural lignin. After cooling, a permanent wood-to-wood bond is created through lignin adhesion – comparable to molecular welding.

Advantages compared to metal fasteners:

• No thermal bridges (improved energy efficiency)
• No corrosion (longer service life)
• Fully demountable (circular economy)
• 66% lower CO₂ emissions

 

What are modern timber connections?

Modern timber connections combine traditional craftsmanship with innovative technologies:

• Mechanical connections: LIGNOLOC® wooden nails, wooden dowels, self-drilling wood screws
• Metal-free systems: Reduce thermal bridges and enable mono-material circular construction
• Adhesive-free connections: Facilitate deconstruction and recycling
• Digital manufacturing: CNC-milled joints, robotic-assisted assembly
  
  LIGNOLOC® wooden nails can be pneumatically installed, offer high strength, are sustainable, and are ETA-approved.

What are the advantages of CLT panels with wooden nails?

CLT panels (Cross-Laminated Timber panels) with LIGNOLOC® wooden nails offer:

• Energy efficiency: No metallic thermal bridges and up to 15% better U-values
• Circular economy: Separately recyclable, fully recyclable
• Faster installation: Prefabricated solid timber elements save time and cost
• Indoor comfort: Vapor diffusion capability, natural moisture regulation
• Fire protection: Wooden nails behave like solid timber in fire and do not fail abruptly
• Climate protection: 66% lower CO₂ emissions compared to steel nails

Which building types are suitable for mass timber construction with LIGNOLOC®?

• Residential buildings: Single-family homes, multi-family homes, terraced homes
• Multi-storey timber construction: Residential complexes, student housing
• Non-residential buildings: Office buildings, schools, kindergartens, sports halls
• Special applications: Solid timber walls (load-bearing and non-load-bearing) and timber high-rise buildings (prestige projects)

Is mass timber construction circular and easy to disassemble?

Yes – especially with LIGNOLOC® wooden nails by BECK.

• Mono-material circular economy:
  No metal, no full-surface adhesive bonding required
  Easy separation by wood type
  High-quality recycling possible
• Disassembly:
  LIGNOLOC® wooden nails can be removed
  CLT panels can be dismantled without destruction
  Reuse possible (urban mining)
  Design for Disassembly principle
• Cradle-to-Cradle potential:
  Biological cycle: Composting possible
  Technical cycle: Upcycling into new wood products
  Energy recovery: As a final step (CO₂-neutral).

Why are thermal bridges important?

Thermal bridges are weak points in the building envelope:

• Metallic fasteners conduct heat 200 times better than wood
• Increased energy consumption (heating/cooling)
• Risk of condensation and mold

LIGNOLOC® prevents thermal bridges:

• Wooden nails have the same thermal conductivity as surrounding timber
• Thermal separation without additional insulation
• Up to 15% better energy performance
• Compliance with highest energy standards (Passive House, etc.)

Would you like to learn more about LIGNOLOC® Wooden Nails?

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