Mass Timber Buildings
Presented by Graham Finch, MASc, P.Eng - Principal, Senior Building Science Specialist RDH Building Science, Victoria, BC
November 26, 2025
Interest in mass timber and its advantages has surged, yet with any innovation comes challenges, and one particular challenge for mass timber buildings is moisture protection during construction. Numerous projects in BC have experienced construction wetting resulting in schedule delays, drying, damage and decay (the 4 wrong D’s) and highlighted the significance of addressing wetting control and drying limitations in mass timber projects.
This presentation will help you understand the risks and impacts associated with moisture exposure of mass timber during the design and construction phases and provide evaluation insights and recommendations for risk reduction. You’ll discover a three-step process for moisture management that emphasizes assembly selection, exposure risk assessment, and material determination for on-site and factory-installed protection. Several local case studies will reinforce these strategies to help you better understand and manage the practical moisture challenges in mass timber construction.
Graham Finch is a building science engineer who specializes in building enclosure design, risk management, research, and investigation work for new and existing buildings. Graham also works with building product manufacturers and other clients on product research and development, and the creation of various industry guidelines and training initiatives. Graham is directly involved with the majority of RDH’s mass timber and high-rise wood building projects and instrumental in leading industry research, risk management, and façade development for these new wood buildings. As a result of this experience, he is regularly invited by various organizations and clients to speak to the practical and technical issues of mass timber façade design and moisture management for mass timber buildings.
November 27th Joint luncheon with BC BEC / Venue is Hotel Grand Pacific
Email vancouverisland@csc-dcc.ca for more information and to register
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