Sterling Structural Releases Comprehensive Mass Timber Design Manual
Free technical resource provides architects, engineers and builders with practical guidance for efficient mass timber and hybrid project design
PHOENIX, Ill., Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sterling Structural, a leading manufacturer of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels and systems in North America, today announced the availability of its comprehensive Design Manual. The free technical resource provides architects, engineers, designers and builders with practical guidance for designing and building with Sterling's TerraLam® CLT and other building materials across commercial, industrial and residential construction projects.
The 48-page guide addresses the growing demand for mass timber education as more construction professionals seek to incorporate sustainable, domestically produced building materials into their projects. With CLT construction techniques still emerging in the U.S. market, the guide serves as an essential reference for both newcomers to mass timber and experienced professionals looking to optimize their designs.
"As mass timber adoption accelerates, we're seeing tremendous interest from design professionals who want to utilize CLT but need practical guidance on how to drive to cost-effective outcomes," said Michaela Harms, Vice President of Mass Timber at Sterling Structural. "This design guide is part of our commitment to making mass timber accessible beyond high-end architecture. By sharing our manufacturing expertise and proven design strategies, we're helping more projects succeed while advancing the industry as a whole."
The design guide covers essential topics for successful CLT implementation, including standardized panel dimensions, span tables, optimal grid layouts for different building types, material specifications, and detailed connection strategies. The guide emphasizes practical design principles that reduce material waste, improve construction efficiency, and optimize structural performance.
A key section includes machining tolerances for MEP coordination, door opening recommendations and roof overhang best practice as well as other helpful tools. The guide also covers tolerance requirements, machining capabilities, and preferred connection details that have been proven in real-world applications.
"We've distilled years of manufacturing experience and project learnings into actionable design strategies," Harms added. "From optimal grids to connection details, we're sharing the knowledge that ensures successful project outcomes while making mass timber more predictable and accessible for contractors and developers. This design guide is the work of hundreds of hours from many team members – all with the goal to advance the adoption of domestically grown, sourced, and manufactured mass timber."
The design guide includes case studies from completed Sterling projects, demonstrating how thoughtful CLT design has delivered both sustainability and cost benefits across various project types. Featured projects include Star Lofts in Des Moines, Iowa—Iowa's first Zero Carbon-certified building—and the Jesup Memorial Library renovation in Bar Harbor, Maine, which utilized regionally-sourced Eastern Hemlock and SPF-S lumber.
Sterling's TerraLam® structural product line provides a competitively priced, mass timber panel that is designed for seamless integration into wall, floor, and roof applications. Sterling Structural serves as a one-stop shop for mass timber or a hybrid structural shell. Its panels are certified to the PRG 320 performance standard by the International Code Council and have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) third-party verified by EPD Hub.
The TerraLam® CLT Design Guide is available for free download at https://sterlingstructural.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/202500818_Sterling-Design-Manual_web.pdf.
About Sterling Solutions
Sterling Solutions is America's leading manufacturer of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats, panels and systems. Our TerraLam line of products is sustainably-sourced, domestically-produced, high-quality and cost-effective.
Our Structural unit delivers cost-effective, pre-fabricated mass timber and hybrid structural systems complemented by exceptional technical expertise and project management for seamless delivery making mass timber accessible to the wider AEC industry.
Our Site Access unit provides full-service matting and bridging solutions to the utility, civil, and commercial construction industries, including Site Access Planning, Environmental Compliance and other consulting services. In some markets, we offer Right of Way Site Preparation and Restoration, Access Road & Pad Construction, Staging & Laydown Yards.
For more than 75 years, Sterling has innovated and delivered sustainable solutions that meet customer needs, create jobs and economic opportunity across the supply chain, and reduce the risk & environmental impact of industrial, commercial and residential construction projects.
More information is available at www.sterlingsolutions.com.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a61de27e-607f-4a8c-b49d-a2d92755c7b7
Media Contact John Williams, Scoville PR for Sterling +1-206-660-5503, jwilliams@scovillepr.com
Sterling Structural Releases Mass Timber Construction Design Manual
Sterling Structural announces the availability of its comprehensive Mass Timber Design Manual. The free technical resource provides architects, engineers, designers and builders with practical guidance for designing and building with Sterling’s TerraLam® CLT and other building materials across commercial, industrial and residential construction projects.
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