Four reasons to build in wood
For centuries, before concrete and steel structures became common place, wood was the building material of choice. Now, with a need for a sustainable alternative and the rapid technological advancements accompanying timber architecture, there has never been a better time to build in wood. Here’s why.
1. It's Sustainable
Wood and other organic materials are the only construction materials that can store carbon dioxide and, therefore, have a negative CO2 balance — even after accounting for the energy required in processing. Concrete and steel, in comparison, hold many times the embodied energy of wood construction. While recycling these products improves their carbon footprint, only timber has the ability to eliminate it.
Timber milled from sustainable forestry — for example FSC or PEFC certified— is also the only major constructing material that is completely renewable. Globally, there is enough of a timber supply to meet the surge in demand. The growth rate of European and Northern American forests, for instance, far exceeds the rate it is currently harvested.
2. It's Efficient
Building in wood saves approximately one third of the building time used in conventional concrete construction. The building is weather-tight upon installation of the prefabricated wooden structure and, as there is no drying or hardening time required, the interior can be installed immediately after. Prefabrication frees the construction process from the uncertainty of weather events and allows for easy construction even in winter months.
There is no reason building in wood should be more expensive than conventional construction and, in fact, can even save money. In particular, the shortened constructing time of prefabricated wood structures reduces the overall building costs. The walls and ceiling surfaces don’t require an extra layer of finish because wood can be directly exposed. As a light construction material, wood can also be built up higher on weaker ground with less foundation.
