**Abstract**

Engineered wood products (EWP) have gained popularity and recognition in Malaysia's construction industry. These products refer to a category of wood products that are manufactured by bonding or combining wood strands, veneers, or fibers with adhesives to create a stronger and more stable material compared to solid wood. In Malaysia, the use of EWP, such as plywood, laminated veneer lumber, glued laminated timber, and particleboard, has been growing steadily. These products offer several advantages over traditional solid wood, including improved strength, dimensional stability, and resistance to warping and splitting. EWP is also often used as a sustainable alternative to solid wood because it utilizes smaller, fast-growing trees and reduces waste. EWP find applications in various construction projects, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They are commonly used for interior and exterior structural elements, such as beams, columns, trusses, and flooring systems. EWP, such as plywood and particleboard, are also used extensively for wall and roof sheathing, furniture manufacturing, and decorative applications. The Malaysian construction industry has recognized the benefits of EWP in terms of cost-effectiveness, design flexibility, and environmental sustainability. As a result, there has been increased adoption of these products in both large-scale projects and smaller construction ventures.

**Keywords:** planted tropical wood species, engineered wood products, economic aspect, designs of engineered wood houses, components for house construction

## **1. Introduction**

Engineered wood made from a variety of wood types, such as recycled woods, hardwoods, and softwoods. In addition to being utilized for furniture and cabinetry, it is frequently employed as a building material for walls, roofs, and floors. The strength and stability of engineered wood, which is less prone to warping, cracking, and shrinking than conventional solid wood, is one of its advantages. Additionally, because it utilizes fewer natural resources and can be made from recycled wood, it has a smaller environmental impact than solid wood [1, 2]. In comparison with

conventional solid wood [3, 4] and other building materials like concrete [5], engineered wood products have a number of advantages.

Products made of engineered wood are designed to be more durable and sturdier than those of solid wood. Using adhesives, wood strands, veneers, or fibers are bonded or layered together throughout the manufacturing process to produce a material with consistent strength and dimensional stability. Engineered wood is less likely to twist, warp, or split, resulting in greater long-term performance [6–8].

Some of the key advantages of the engineered wood include that it can be produced in a range of dimensions, forms, and arrangements to satisfy particular design and building specifications. It makes architectural design more flexible and makes it possible to build intricate, cutting-edge structures. Engineered wood products, such as glulam (glue-laminated timber), allow architectural versatility by being built into vast spans and curved shapes [9].

The engineered wood products are often considered more environmentally friendly than solid wood as they make efficient use of timber resources by utilizing smaller, fast-growing trees and incorporating by-products and residues from the wood industry. Engineered wood also reduces waste since it can be manufactured in large panels or beams, minimizing the need for cutting down large trees. Furthermore, the manufacturing process can utilize adhesives with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, contributing to improved indoor air quality [10].

In addition, the engineered wood products go through meticulous manufacturing procedures to guarantee reliability and consistency. Engineered wood products, in contrast to natural solid wood, are designed to satisfy particular performance criteria and may be tested and certified in accordance with those standards. Natural solid wood can vary naturally in strength and features. It is possible to better plan the construction process and design structures thanks to the predictability of material qualities.

Products made of engineered wood are frequently more affordable than those made of solid wood. Smaller trees, which are typically more economical and accessible, can be used to make them. Large panels or beams can also be made from engineered wood, which eliminates the need for intricate joinery or assembly. Over time, engineered wood's greater dimensional stability also results in less waste and cheaper maintenance expenses [11, 12].

Certain types of engineered wood products, such as fire-rated plywood or fireresistant particleboard, can offer improved fire resistance compared to solid wood. These products are designed to meet specific fire safety regulations and can be used in applications where fire protection is a concern [13, 14].

It is important to note that the benefits of engineered wood products can vary depending on the specific product and its intended application. It is always recommended to consult industry professionals and adhere to relevant standards and guidelines when using engineered wood in construction projects [14].

### **2. Literature review**

The development of engineered wood products in Malaysia dates back to the middle of the twentieth century, when the nation started looking into alternatives to solid wood for use in the building and furniture sectors. Here is a general history of

*Engineered Wood Products from Planted Tropical Timber Species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112203*

engineered wood products in Malaysia, albeit the precise timeframe and milestones may differ [15, 16].

In Malaysia, plywood, one of the earliest types of engineered wood, became well-liked in the 1950s. Utilizing adhesive, thin veneer layers of wood are bonded together to create plywood. The local construction sector benefited greatly from its importation, which was initially done to accommodate the rising demand for building supplies [17].

In the 1960s and 1970s, particleboard emerged as another engineered wood product in Malaysia. Particleboard is produced by compressing wood particles or chips with resin under heat and pressure. It provided an alternative to solid wood in furniture manufacturing and interior applications.

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) gained prominence in Malaysia in the 1990s. LVL is made by bonding veneer sheets together with adhesives to create strong and dimensionally stable structural members. LVL found applications in beams, columns, and other load-bearing elements in construction.

Early in the new millennium, glue-laminated timber, or glulam, gained popularity in Malaysia. In order to construct larger, stronger, and more visually beautiful structural elements, glulam involves bonding layers of solid wood together. Curved beams and arches were among the architectural and structural uses for glulam.

The engineered wood product known as cross-laminated timber, or CLT, is relatively new and has attracted interest on a global scale. CLT panels, which are formed by stacking and gluing many layers of wood at right angles, have been utilized in construction projects all over the world because of their strength and sustainability, albeit the specific adoption of CLT in Malaysia may differ.

The adoption of engineered wood products over the years in Malaysia has been driven by factors such as the availability of raw materials, advancements in manufacturing technologies, and the desire for sustainable and cost-effective construction solutions. Malaysian manufacturers have invested in production facilities and research to enhance the quality and range of engineered wood products available in the local market. It is important to note that the specific milestones and advancements in engineered wood products in Malaysia beyond my knowledge cut-off in September 2021 may require more up-to-date sources or industry reports to provide the most accurate and recent information.

### **3. The economic of engineered wood for construction**

Engineered wood as shown in **Figure 1**, also known as composite wood, is a type of wood product made by joining wood fibers, strands, or veneers together with adhesives, resins, or other materials. It is used in many different applications, such as construction, furniture, and flooring. Engineered wood has grown in popularity as a housing building material in the recent years. This is due to a variety of factors, including its strength and durability, low cost compared to traditional wood, and environmental friendliness. [3, 18, 19].

One of the main advantages of engineered wood for housing is its strength and durability. Because it is manufactured using a combination of wood fibers and adhesives, engineered wood is less susceptible to warping, cracking, and splitting than traditional wood. It is also less likely to be affected by moisture, insects, and other environmental factors that can damage wood [20].

**Figure 1.** *Some of the engineered wood components used in Malaysia.*

#### **Figure 2.**

*Engineered wood components for large and medium construction works.*

Another advantage of engineered wood is its cost-effectiveness. While traditional wood can be expensive, especially if it is of high quality or sourced from remote locations, engineered wood can be manufactured using a wide range of materials and techniques (**Figures 1** and **2**), making it more affordable and accessible to builders and homeowners.

Moreover, engineered wood is also eco-friendly because it is made from wood fibers and other materials that are often derived from sustainable sources, and it is a renewable resource that can help to reduce the environmental impact of housing construction. Additionally, it is proved by manufacturing using fewer raw materials and less energy than traditional wood, and it is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option overall [19].

The economic benefits of using engineered wood for housing are significant. From its strength and durability to its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness, it offers a range of advantages that make it an ideal building material for modern homes. As such, it is likely to continue to grow in popularity and become an increasingly important part of the housing industry in the years to come [21].
