The SLB Is Growing Lumber Demand Across Multifamily, Commercial, Education, and Industrial Markets

The SLB has released its Q3 2025 Report, highlighting significant progress tied to its new strategic plan. This quarter, SLB-funded programs advanced a coordinated strategy centered on high-opportunity sectors—1-8 story multifamily, commercial, K-12 education, and the fast-growing industrial segment—while accelerating project conversions, strengthening building code support, scaling post-secondary education, and expanding outreach in key cities.

Key Q3 highlights include:

• SLB-funded programs generated 396 MM BF of incremental lumber demand, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,149 MM BF. Light-frame continues to lead overall volume, representing 67% of new demand.
• The SLB’s new strategic plan focuses investment where wood already wins, accelerating growth in 1-8 story multifamily and commercial, education, and high-potential industrial markets.
• SLB Education advanced its mission to shape future architects and engineers, with hands-on programs like Timber in the City, BuildFest, and expanded faculty workshops preparing the next generation to confidently design with wood.
• WoodWorks delivered strong project conversion results, influencing 111 projects directly, resulting in 149 MM BF of incremental lumber this quarter. Growth in warehouse and data center applications signals expanding opportunity beyond traditional building segments.
• Think Wood continued driving market preference through high-quality design content and resources, adding nearly 5,000 new contacts and generating strong engagement with its Attainable Housing LookBook and new case studies.
• The AWC strengthened wood’s position in codes and standards, advancing proposals that could save builders more than $100 million annually, making wood an even more cost-efficient and desirable choice.
• The SLB and USDA Forest Service announced the winners of the 2025 Mass Timber Competition: Building Sustainable Schools, awarding $1.8M to accelerate mass-timber adoption in K-12 environments. This year’s winning projects showcase how biophilic, timber-rich design can strengthen student outcomes and create more resilient learning spaces nationwide.

For full program updates, additional stories, and more detail on Q3 results, view the Q3 2025 Report below. As always, we welcome industry feedback at info@softwoodlumberboard.org.

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