Ten advantages of wood!

In this article, we'll share what we believe are the ten most outstanding advantages of wood construction. We're not just focusing on wooden houses here, but also on the use of wood in design and architectural design. Wood is a fantastic material; we hope you agree.

1. Super insulating material

Some building materials, such as steel, are non-combustible, inorganic materials that expand when heated, weakening and causing the structure to collapse. Wood reacts almost in the opposite way. When larger cross-sectional dimensions are heated, the wood dries out and actually becomes harder, forming a carbonized layer on the surface that further resists flame penetration.

Let's do some comparisons here: Glass conducts heat 23 times faster than wood, marble 90 times, steel 1,650 times, and aluminum 7,000 times.

This means that if you want to keep your home warm and save money on cooling and heating bills, wood is a great alternative to brick, concrete, or stone. Compared to other building materials, wood is definitely the most economical insulation material.

Figure: Wall composition of a typical wood-frame building

2. Fast construction and cost saving

Some skilled builders can construct a 100-square-meter log house on-site in just seven days. Compared to brick, stone, or concrete, wood construction is significantly faster, saving significant on-site labor. This is particularly true in adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, and icy conditions, as wood construction can continue unrestricted due to the lack of wet work. Furthermore, with the maturity and widespread adoption of prefabricated wood construction technology, a large number of wooden components, such as walls, roofs, floor slabs, beams, and columns, can be prefabricated in factories and transported directly to site for installation.

At the same time, timber frame homes can be easily modified during and after construction due to its ease of use, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular and competitively priced option.

3. Environmental protection

Building homes out of wood is sustainable, renewable, and environmentally friendly. Did you know that wood absorbs and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it carbon-neutral even after taking into account transportation and processing? (In fact, it's the only carbon-neutral building material and the only naturally renewable one.)

Fact: Every cubic meter of wood used in construction saves 0.8 tons of carbon emissions. Therefore, if a house uses 20 cubic meters of wood, 16 tons of carbon are saved. Using wood in construction can indeed have a positive impact on climate change. If trees are not harvested when they reach maturity, they die and release carbon dioxide again, which is not good for the environment. However, new trees absorb even more carbon dioxide, making sustainable forest planting and management a virtuous cycle.

Most Westernized countries have legislation requiring the planting of at least one tree for every tree planted. This is important because it means more wood for the planet, which means more carbon sequestration. Let's not be like the ostriches who think deforestation is a depressing and environmentally unhealthy reality. The only thing you need to be sure of is that the wood you source and use comes from sustainably managed forests or is third-party certified.

4. Architectural Aesthetics

No one can deny the aesthetic qualities of wood. The grain within each piece of wood is one of nature's most mesmerizing designs, with varying hues and textures creating a captivating dance where no single piece is repeated. Some of the world's most breathtaking architectural designs have wood as a central element.

Wood can be painted any color, waxed and varnished, and can have a personalized finish. It can be carved, cut, glued and stapled.

Wood is so versatile and aesthetically pleasing that the only limit to our use of it is our imagination. As Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

5. Processing and mechanical properties

When it comes to wood's workability, few materials can surpass it. Wood can be machined to the highest precision and finish, with advanced machining tools even capable of recreating the intricate mortise and tenon joints of our ancestors. Furthermore, wood is incredibly easy to maintain and repair, so if problems arise, they can be easily patched by cutting or gluing.

6.Safe, lightweight, strong and durable

Despite tremendous advancements in engineering excellence, one of the many reasons wood is still used today is its durability and safety. Wooden buildings are one-seventh the weight of concrete, and during disasters like earthquakes, this light weight means less seismic force. Furthermore, wood is a resilient material, and when a building's frame shakes, this flexible structure absorbs the force, ensuring its safety.

7. Natural Health

Have you ever experienced the sting of static electricity on metal in the winter? Static charge is considered somewhat unhealthy. The good news is that wood has zero static charge, so you won't feel any sting in the winter.

If a room is decorated with wood, it helps regulate humidity. Furthermore, studies have shown that the appearance of wood can be relaxing and soothe the nervous system, reducing sensitivity. For these reasons, wood is considered a healthier alternative to metal, plastic, and other materials.

8. Acoustic characteristics

While wood isn’t a perfect soundproofing material, it is an excellent material that absorbs sound waves effectively, allowing them to diffuse and reflect. This is why wood is used in many concert halls around the world, as it helps create the perfect pitch within the room.