One of the most common questions we get at the start of a project is "brick or timber?" The answer is almost never that one is better than the other — it is that one fits the need at hand better.
The strengths of traditional construction
Brick-and-concrete construction is a decades-old, well-understood technology. Its advantages are durability and the fact that every step of construction can still be adjusted flexibly on site, even while building is under way. With modern, well-insulating bricks, its energy performance is competitive too.
The strengths of CLT
CLT technology means prefabricated, millimetre-precise panels that deliver a faster build time, less waste on site, and excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. Because most of the structure is made in the factory, there is less uncertainty on site.
An important difference: CLT construction asks for its decisions in the design phase, while traditional construction still allows fine-tuning during the build itself. That is not an advantage or a drawback in itself — it depends on how much you want to have settled before construction even starts.
Which one is the right choice, and when?
- Is a short build time the goal? CLT typically allows a faster structural build.
- Do you expect a lot of on-site changes along the way? Traditional masonry is more flexible here.
- Is sustainability and stored carbon important? CLT has a clear advantage on this front.
- Looking for a familiar, tried-and-tested feel? Traditional construction is a solution generations have known well.
The common denominator: good design
Whichever technology you choose, the quality of the result depends on how thorough the design was and how disciplined the construction is. That is why we always recommend that the choice of technology be one of the first conversations with your designer, not the last.
