Wood is a certainly a very versatile material – easy to work with yet resistant when adequately protected and cared for. The production process of wood is also carbon-lean, which means the carbon footprint of wood-based products is relatively low, compared to alternatives such as plastic and metal products.
Wood’s value lies in its beauty, strength, flexibility and practicality. It can be easily cut, carved, planed, milled, bent, joined, glued, nailed, bolted, laminated, spliced and weathered.
It can be part of a load-bearing structure, finished material, or exterior cladding. Wood is easily adapted as part of a building structure, inexpensive to reused or recycled. Wood construction has long been used for energy-efficient design and provides some of the world’s most affordable and comfortable housing.
Wood as part of affordable, prefabricated and low-carbon construction
Wood can be a great alternative to other more carbon-intensive materials. It is well suited to rapid all-season prefabricated construction that is quieter, cleaner, lighter to transport and saves time. This means less noise and disruption in dense urban settings during construction projects.
Wood materials can make building more energy-efficient. Wood construction is economical and convenient. Wood material can often be locally sourced and manufactured. Its smaller environmental footprint means it can meet the anticipated regulatory requirements for buildings to achieve carbon targets. This combined with its lighter weight can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted during transportation to construction sites. This reduction in weight lessens the need for more costly foundation work and in some cases, in poor soil conditions, timber buildings can be built taller than steel and concrete.
The benefits of wood beyond cost savings and design efficiencies
Wood has less embodied energy, reduces air and water pollution, and has a smaller carbon footprint, when considered over its lifetime – from the harvest of raw materials through manufacturing, transportation, construction, disposal or recycling. Wood construction materials can help maximize a building’s energy efficiency. Building with locally sourced wood can also support communities, jobs and the economy.
Wood building materials as insulation
Wood is a natural insulator due to its structure. The dead cells in wood have plenty of air pockets that trap air bubbles. Wood is 1770 times better than aluminum at insulation; it is 400 times better than steel and 15 times better than concrete and masonry. Wood reduces cost related to cooling and heating a building.
The strength of wood as part of building construction
Some kinds of timber are known to be 20% percent stronger than steel when their weight is accounted for. This type of wood is up to 5 times stronger than compressed non-reinforced concrete.
The durability of wood
There are many historical structures consisting of mainly wood materials. Wood is a highly durable material suitable for both residential and commercial buildings. When properly maintained, wood can last for hundreds of years, while modern wood preservatives extend this lifespan even further.
Our trained staff can assist you with competitive pricing and advice for your next project. Get in touch with us today, to enquire about our Tanalith or untreated Timber material.
Sources:
https://www.naturallywood.com/wood-performance/value-versatility/
https://www.billwarch.com/blog/wood-a-versatile-material-in-residential-building/
