5 Environmental Benefits of Structural Timber

Posted on: 8 December 2021

With concerns over deforestation at an all-time high, many people are questioning the use of timber products in construction. However, structural timber can be a much more environmentally friendly choice than other building materials, such as concrete or steel. As long as the timber comes from a sustainable source, it has many benefits, including the ones listed here.

1. Timber Captures and Stores Carbon

While trees are growing, they absorb carbon dioxide through a process called photosynthesis. They use this carbon to fuel their growth, with the result that it ends up trapped inside the wood that is produced when the tree is eventually cut down. Growing and using structural timber can actually remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to limit the rate of climate change.

2. Timber Has Low Embodied Energy

Embodied energy is the amount of energy that is used in the production, processing and transport of a product. For structural timber, the embodied energy is much lower than it is for concrete, aluminium or steel. The processing of timber products also creates lower amounts of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxides and other harmful byproducts than the processing of other construction materials.

3. Timber is Renewable

Timber is a truly renewable resource. Whereas the amount of metal ore in the ground is limited, it is always possible to create more timber by planting more trees. Growing a tree to full size takes only a couple of decades, whereas creating more oil-based materials, such as plastic, takes thousands of years.

4. Timber is Durable

Construction contractors use structural timber to create strong buildings that have very long lifespans. Timber frame buildings can last for hundreds of years. As long as it is treated in the correct way, timber can resist fire, moisture and other environmental hazards.

5. Timber Frame Buildings are Easy to Insulate

The design of a building with a timber frame leaves plenty of space for insulation to be packed into the walls and roof. The more insulation a building has, the less energy you need to use to heat and cool it to keep it at a comfortable temperature all year round. Timber itself has good insulating properties, contributing to the energy efficiency of buildings created using this natural material. If you are looking to construct a building that is cheap to heat and cool, then structural timber is a great material to use for the frame.

For more information about using structural timber, contact a local supplier.