Cross-laminated timber has been around for some time now, but it’s finally getting some love from the technology industry that is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint.
Microsoft has announced that it will build two new data centers using floors and ceilings made of cross-laminated timber, or CLT. The new centers will still use steel for the framework, and a thin layer of concrete will be applied to waterproof the CLT and increase its life expectancy.
The benefits of CLT are well known. In addition to being climate-friendly, the material is strong, sustainable and highly fire-resistant.
“This is just part of our giant, company-wide mobilization to accelerate the decarbonization of our data centers,” said Sara Neff, Microsoft’s partner/general manager for sustainability, cloud operations and innovation.
The two data centers in Northern Virginia will be the first two data centers constructed largely from CLT. The sheets, which are made of wood stacked cross-grain to add strength and durability, have been in use by the construction industry for some time, including building mid-size skyscrapers.
By using CLT, the two facilities will achieve a carbon reduction of 35% compared to a steel-built facility and 65% compared to a precast concrete building.
Microsoft has been a leader in addressing climate change and committed $1 billion to its Climate Innovation Fund. The fund invests in climate startups, some of which are developing products that directly support the company’s decarbonization efforts. A good example is CarbonCure, which locks carbon dioxide into the concrete and Prometheus Materials, which harnesses microalgae in the concrete it produces.
Though CLT is no longer a new material in the construction industry, challenges remain. There still aren’t a lot of builders who are experienced in using cross-laminated timber. As such, costs still run higher than more traditional building materials.