Building with Timber

Why is timber a great choice of material?

Timber is often a very popular choice when it comes to building materials, this is because it is highly versatile, inexpensive and long lasting. Timber is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective, making it an appealing option for both residential and commercial construction projects.

One of the main advantages of using timber in construction is its flexibility. It can quite easily be cut into the desired shape you need unlike concrete or steel, and it can be easily adapted to each project you undertake. This means that there really are no limits and architects, and builders go really go to town when designing with timber.

Another benefit of using timber is its insulating properties. Timber is an excellent insulator, helping to keep buildings warm in winter and cool in summer. This helps to reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and improve the comfort fir anyone inside the building. With the huge rise in energy prices that we are seeing at the moment, this is a significant advantage.

Because timber is also quite light, it makes it easier to handle and transport to other locations than many other building materials. This helps to reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects and is especially important for multi-story buildings, where the weight of the structure can have a significant impact on the overall design and construction process.

One thing to consider when using timber as a building material is the maintenance. Unfortunately, like many natural materials, timber is prone to decay and can also suffer from insect damage, which can lead to making the structure unstable if it is not identified and properly managed. To mitigate these risks, builders typically use treated timber or specify specific species of timber that are naturally resistant to decay and damage from insects.

Once you fully understand all of its values, you can see why it is such a popular choice when it comes to buildings. It has been used for many years and is likely to be used for years to come. Over the lockdown period there was a shortage of timber coming in to the UK but this has slowly been rectified and supply seems ok again at the moment.

Timber has many benefits, including its versatility, affordability, sustainability, and thermal performance. As long as it is treated correctly to start with and looked after it can be a robust and environmentally friendly choice for a wide range of construction projects. Whether you are looking to  build a small log cabin or a large commercial building, the use of timber can help to create structures that are both functional and beautiful to look at.