Timber is massively used in construction of buildings in some countries of the world. In United States of America (USA), timber, often called lumber is used in the construction of many low-rise buildings. Though timber is highly susceptible to fire incidence, its massive use is associated with numerous benefits as follows:
Natural: Timber is not toxic, does not leak chemical vapour into the building and it is safe to handle and touch.
Renewable: Timber is continually being grown in our forests and plantations. As long as new trees are planted to replace those harvested, timber would continue to be available.
Low in Production Energy: It takes very little energy to convert the wood in trees to the timber used in building.
A store for Carbon: Timber is made from carbon drawn from the atmosphere. This carbon would otherwise be adding to the greenhouse effect. Using timber in buildings stores the carbon for as long as the building stands or the timber is used.
A very good Insulator: Timber is a natural insulator and can reduce energy needs especially when it is used in windows, doors and floors.
Readily Available: It is usually near where it is produced. This promotes local economies and reduce energy required to transport materials over long distances.
Easy to Work: Timber is versatile and adaptable. Being light, it is easy to install and can be worked with simple equipment. This also reduces the energy needed in construction.
1 Comment
Thanks for explaining how you could use timber as a construction material because of its durability and versatility. My friend wants to build a summer home where he could stay comfy close to a river. I believe that finding a company that sells timber products for his future house project is a good start.