Engineered timber has become popular over the last 10 years. It’s used as additional material for steel or concrete constructions. For example, the tallest buildings in the world are Mjøstårnet by Voll Arkitekter in Brumunddal (Norway), Australian 25 King (Brisbane).
What’s the reason for the popularity of timber in the building industry? Is it a material of the latest generation or just a short-term trend?
Advantages of Timber
Significant technological achievements in timber structures design are:
- CLT (cross-laminated timber).
- Glulam (glue-laminated).
These products optimized the options of supply.
Characteristics
- According to researches, using natural construction elements is caused by an increased level of wellbeing and productivity. Human’s attempt to seek ways to merge with nature is determined biologically.
- Timber is the only naturally renewable material. That’s why it provides ecological sustainability which is a huge contribution to environmental protection. Besides, this material is carbon saving, same are the constructions.
- Timber increases the speed of the building process. It’s safe due to waste shortening. Off-site prefabrication helps to optimize on-site construction up to 50 percent. There is no need to set back-popping for timber objects. That’s a great benefit to reduce the overall building period.
- Timber is much lighter in comparison to steel and concrete. It’s the best option when it’s required to reduce the weight of construction and its elements.
- Prefabrication helps to reduce the workforce. Timber is the smart solution for sites with limited space where building activity can be a challenge due to various factors.
- Up to 10 percent of CO2 emissions worldwide are caused by the cement production industry. Using timber elements instead of concrete structures will reduce the impact of factors that lead to global warming. Taking into count the level of carbon for timber objects, it’s possible to can get a carbon positive building.
As a matter of fact, there are several disadvantages that also have to be considered. First, strict fire requirements. Second is the negative impact of termites or high moisture. Luckily, all those disadvantages can be resolved with the help of flame retardants.
Moreover, all the issues can be removed by quality approaches of design. For this, it’s essential to deeply understand all the aspects of the industry.
