An overview on the mechanical and physical properties of cross laminated timber (solid wood panels) in the building industry and its use in timber construction is presented. Structure-property relations for solid wood based materials are discussed. Important properties, such as strength, sorption, diffusion, thermal conductivity in relation to the board structure are presented. By varying the structure, the properties can be optimized over a wide range. The focus of this publication lies on experimental works performed by Swiss researchers at the ETH Zürich.