With global warming at play, we are constantly looking for sustainable alternatives in the construction industry. Wood is a natural product that has little impact on the environment. With timber construction, healthier, more comfortable homes or buildings can be realized, which also contribute to a better environment. After all, the wood material is naturally energy-efficient and reduces CO2 emissions during production and transport. In addition, wood has a unique cell structure with insulating properties.
The source
Of course, timber construction requires felling of trees, although according to experts this does not have to lead to deforestation. They argue that sustainable forestry must be realized in the Netherlands for this. There, trees are selectively felled and trees are replanted at the same time. In this way, biodiversity can be maintained or even improved.
Advantages and disadvantages of timber construction
Why are we increasingly opting for timber construction nowadays? What are the advantages compared to a normal home?
Living healthier
A wooden house feels comfortable. This is because people are naturally attracted to nature. Who doesn’t find a walk in the woods relaxing? A wooden house with natural elements in the house ensures less stress, a lower heart rate and is healthier for the residents.
Environmentally friendly
With the climate agreement and the desired CO2 reduction, it is crucial that the new homes to be built are no longer built traditionally, but with wood. The construction industry is responsible for 5% of global CO2 emissions, with bricks and concrete as the biggest polluters. If you built houses of wood instead of stone and concrete, you would not emit CO2, but you would actually save CO2.
Wood absorbs CO2 during growth, and this remains stored in the wood when a wooden house is built. The felled trees are sustainably replanted in Finland, where sustainable forest management is a requirement. By building in wood you contribute to the environment and to achieving the climate agreement.
Short construction time
Compared to a normal house, the construction time with timber construction is many times shorter. That is certainly the case when you opt for an existing design. The advantage of a shorter construction time? You pay less construction interest, because the construction account runs for a shorter period of time. But you can also move earlier and you will have double burdens for less time.
High insulation value
Compared to a normal house, the insulation value of timber construction is higher. A low insulation value is often referred to as a disadvantage compared to a normal home. This advantage is completely unjustified. So do you want lower heating costs? Then building a so-called barn house or bungalow is a very good choice.
Rot and/or mold of the wood
It is very important that timber frame construction is done properly. Careless construction work can cause rotting of the wood. Rotting affects the strength of the wood and can cause the structure to become so weak that it collapses. It is important to know that rot only occurs when the moist wood comes into contact with oxygen. When a pole is completely submerged in water and thus not exposed to oxygen, no rotting will occur. In addition to rotting, mold is also a common problem in timber frame construction. However, this is again only the case when the construction is placed carelessly.
So the conclusion is simple. Make sure the wood is placed carefully.
Lower accumulative capacity
Accumulative capacity is the ability to absorb heat and cold. As mentioned earlier, this is one of the advantages of timber frame construction.
However, the low accumulative capacity is also a disadvantage. When the temperature rises in the summer, it is very nice when walls absorb some of this heat. With timber frame construction this does not happen and the heat will remain in the room.
Fortunately, this can be prevented if you use enough ventilation and sun protection.
Chance of vermin in the wood skeleton
What you do not suffer from with stone and with wood is pests in the material. Fortunately, this won’t happen very often, but it can.
Again, this only happens when the wood has not been used properly.
Less acoustic power
Thanks to its robustness, a stone inner leaf has less sound transmission. As a result, the acoustic capacity of stone is better than wood.
Conclusion
As with everything in construction, timber frame construction has advantages and disadvantages. Which form of building you choose is actually entirely dependent on your specific choice and renovation. However, always make the choice in consultation with an architect, constructor or contractor. In short, with someone who understands renovation and has experience with timber frame construction.
