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Wood as a Building Material

Advantages of Using Wood as a Building Material

The use of wood as a building material has been around for the longest time. However, in the last few decades, people have shifted away from wood to other building materials such as engineered products or metals. The advantages of wood as a building material outweighs the other building materials when it comes to performance and environmental aspect.

Woodden houses can be built as strong and resistant to heat and cold. They also absorb sound and they look attractive as well. Wood has many advantages to the homeowner and to the environment, too.

1.Wood is renewable

Wood is renewable
Wood unlike other building materials such as concrete or metal can be grown and regrown through the natural processes. Wood can also be grown through forestry management programs or replanting. And since forests grow [via solar energy], they naturally remove carbon dioxide from the environment, this is a bonus to wood.

Wood emits low volatile organic compounds

Wood generally emits lower volatile organic compounds [VOCs] and carbon dioxide than aluminum, concrete, steel, and plastics. Their ability to emit lower VOC is beneficial to homes and offices that are occupied daily.Another thing about wood is that it also emits a natural organic compound that relaxes people.

2.It is more readily processed for use

The life cycle of wood has a lower impact on the environment compared to other building materials such as steel or concrete, and so it costs less to produce. In wood manufacturing process, the wastewater and environmental impact is lower compared to steel production.

3.Wood enhances energy efficiency

Wood enhances energy efficiency
The insulation rate of wood is higher than that of plastic or steel because it has a natural cellular structure. This, therefore, means that homes built with wood require less energy in maintaining heating and cooling. Wood can also help in regulating humidity levels to a small degree. In fact, research shows that a hardwood floor that is installed over a wood subfloor gives the same amount of insulin as that of concrete floor.

4.Wood is biodegradable

Wood is biodegradable
One of the biggest shortcomings of building materials such as metal, plastics, and concrete is that in case they are discarded, they take a very long time to decompose. But with wood, when it is exposed to the natural climate conditions, they break down faster and in the process, they replenish the soil.

5.Wood provides a natural air conditioning effect

Wood generally reacts to its surrounding environment. When the humidity is high, it absorbs moisture. And when the humidity is low, it gives off moisture. Wood acts as a natural air conditioner, thus keeping the room temperature constant.

6.Fire performance

Fire performance
Wood is a combustible material but it burns slowly and predictably. This means that wood actually performs strongly in the event of fire compared to other materials. In case of a fire, a charcoal layer will be formed on the surface of the timber, and the layer will contribute to the fire resistance. The charcoal layer insulates the inner part of the wood and slows down