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Mass timber set for faster growth as Congress moves to expand use
A bipartisan bill before the House would prioritize mass timber in certain federal projects and includes a $200M grant program to update state building codes.
Mass timber is poised for faster growth as Big Tech interest and federal action converge, according to Bisnow. Relatively stable lumber prices, compared with other rising construction inputs, are helping developers feel more comfortable adopting the engineered-wood material.
Bisnow reports that annual growth for mass timber construction is expected to top 20% to 30%, with the market reaching $5.7B by 2030, versus about $2B today, citing Grand View Research data. The material has been used since the mid-2010s for projects seeking lower carbon footprints, faster assembly, and a different aesthetic, but adoption was slowed by height restrictions and limited supply chains.
Industry director Dean Lewis of Skanska USA says the shift is driven by improved supply chains and broader familiarity with how to use mass timber. Bisnow adds that regulatory changes at federal and local levels are enabling larger projects, with use expanding across offices, multifamily, hotels, data centers, and education.
The Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act, submitted to the House on May 29, would incentivize mass timber for public housing, military projects, and federal buildings, Bisnow reports. The bill would require federal construction projects under five stories to prioritize mass timber systems when life cycle cost analyses show cost competitiveness, and it would create a $200M grant program to help states update building codes to align with the 2024 International Building Code, which allows timber buildings up to 18 stories.