Commercial buildings
Supermarkets and hypermarkets, shops, retail parks, showrooms, and multifunctional commercial buildings
The use of wooden structures made of glued laminated timber (Glulam / BSH / GLT), cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Kielsteg elements in the construction of commercial buildings offers significant structural, environmental and architectural advantages.
These systems allow large spans to be bridged without internal columns, create open and flexible commercial spaces, and give the building a modern and attractive appearance.
Wooden structural solutions are already being used successfully in projects by international retail chains such as EDEKA, SPAR, Lidl, REWE, and Billa, proving their reliability and effectiveness in large-scale commercial facilities.
Shorter construction times mean faster opening of the facility and earlier return on investment.
Advantages of wooden structures for supermarkets and commercial buildings
Large spans without columns
BSH and LVL beams, as well as roof trusses and Kielsteg panels, are designed as lightweight and highly efficient structural elements for large spans. They allow for the creation of spacious commercial halls without internal columns, which provides maximum flexibility in the design of the areas and the layout of the equipment.
Sustainability and ecology
Wood is a renewable resource that stores carbon dioxide during its growth. Compared to traditional materials such as concrete and steel, the production of wooden components requires significantly less energy, resulting in a better ecological footprint.
Certificates such as PEFC guarantee sustainable management of forest resources.
Aesthetics and a better indoor climate
The natural look of wood creates a pleasant and comfortable shopping atmosphere. Studies show that wooden interiors have a positive effect on customer perception and contribute to a better indoor climate, which benefits both visitors and employees.
Construction efficiency
Wood construction systems are characterised by a high degree of prefabrication. This allows for faster, cleaner, and more efficient assembly on the construction site. The combination of BSH, LVL, CLT, and Kielsteg results in lightweight and optimized solutions for roofs and columns.
Basic structural systems for commercial buildings
Glued laminated timber (GLT / BSH / Glulam)
Glued laminated timber consists of at least three boards or lamellas of coniferous wood, glued together with parallel grain orientation. This structure ensures high strength, stability, and predictable structural behaviour.
Application: It is mainly used for beams and columns in commercial construction when high loads need to be carried and large distances need to be spanned.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT)
CLT is a large-format solid wood product consisting of several layers of boards glued crosswise. This gives the material excellent dimensional stability and load-bearing capacity in different directions.
Application: CLT is suitable for wall, ceiling, and roof elements in supermarkets and commercial buildings, often in combination with other load-bearing systems for the roof structure.
Kielsteg
Kielsteg is an innovative lightweight structural system in the form of multi-wall sheet panels designed for long spans. They consist of upper and lower chords and diagonally arranged ribs between them, which provide high load-bearing capacity at low dead weight.
Application: Kielsteg elements are mainly used in flat and slightly sloping roof structures in supermarkets and other commercial buildings where it is necessary to create large, open spaces without columns.