Living in a mass timber building: your questions, our answers

What is CLT mass timber?

CLT (cross-laminated timber) is made of layers of boards glued at right angles, then pressed into large, very rigid panels. At ANDAS, the floors are five-ply CLT panels made in Quebec by Nordic Structures. They rest on wood beams and columns, with steel bracing. The garage and the ground-floor slab are concrete.

Is it safe in case of fire?

Yes. A mass timber member does not burn like a 2 x 4: its surface forms a charred layer that protects the core of the wood and slows combustion. The building was designed to the requirements of the Quebec Construction Code. It is protected by sprinklers and by a fire alarm system linked to the other phases of the project.

Can you hear your neighbours?

Noise is the most common question, and the building was designed for it, with an acoustic engineer (HGC) involved from the design stage:

• The floors combine the 175 mm CLT panel, an acoustic dry screed and flooring laid over a soundproofing underlay.

• The walls between units have two layers of drywall on each side, with insulation between the studs.

The best test is still a visit: come and hear it for yourself.

Why leave the wood exposed?

Wood ceilings and beams are visible in every unit. Wood brings warmth, and several studies link natural materials to lower stress, a principle called biophilia. With 9.5-foot ceilings (11.5 feet in the penthouses), the effect is striking.

Is it better for the environment?

Wood stores carbon for the whole life of the building, and making it generally emits less greenhouse gas than concrete or steel. The ANDAS structure comes from responsibly managed, FSC®-certified forests.

How long did construction take?

Work began in July 2024 and the building was delivered in summer 2025, about one year. The factory-made panels go up quickly on site.

Visit ANDAS

The best way to understand mass timber is to see it. Visits are by appointment, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 425 18th Avenue. Call us at 514-265-5471.