Wood in Construction: The Millennia-Old Material that Challenges Ingenuity!
Using wood to build is nothing new, it actually dates back to the Neolithic period with the sedentarization of populations. Since then, this material, often combined with others, has proven itself in construction.
With its numerous environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits, it is THE renewable component to consider in today’s context of sustainability and innovation.
How about (re)discovering it through some unique characteristics and surprising facts?
The Material with a Thousand Virtues
You may be thinking of your grandma’s solid wood buffet which is impossible to lift? Yet one of wood’s main advantages is its lightness, which makes it easier to handle and use. The icing on the cake — or rather, the varnish on the wood — is that this easy handling also reduces transportation and labour costs. Brilliant!
Did you know that wood has thermal and acoustic insulation properties that allow you to enjoy optimal comfort in indoor spaces? This idyllic picture is completed by wood’s ability to regulate humidity and create a warm atmosphere.
Wood also plays a major role in the sense of well-being when in environments containing natural elements. Studies have confirmed that this feeling, known as “biophilia”, reduces stress among other benefits.
Aiming for Sustainability with Reinvented Wood!
The intrinsic qualities of wood is now at the centre of emerging construction techniques. These properties allow for the creation of large-scale structures with strength comparable to concrete or steel, and exceptional durability.
Glued laminated timber or Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) are among these innovative techniques. Made up of several layers of solid wood glued together, CLT offers notable acoustic, thermal, and fire-resistant performance. With its prefabricated wood panels that are easy to install, wood stands out as a versatile and flexible choice with a rather positive carbon footprint!
From individual homes to office buildings, wood remains an integral part of the innovations that pave the way for ambitious projects.
Challenges and Outlooks
Is wood perfect? Not quite, as using it in construction brings some challenges. Managing forest resources and ensuring sustainable supply doesn’t happen overnight; not to mention its susceptibility to insects and moisture to ensure its longevity.
From a technical standpoint, engineers remain cautious with wood. Limited knowledge of its variability, for instance, and building codes that are not always adapted can be barriers to wooden structures. Finally, despite its proven fire resistance, fire safety regulations remain very strict.
But progress continues, and expertise develops, such as within the teams at CEP Forensic! Despite its flaws, wood allows for great feats. For proof, visit the highest wooden building in the world – Mjøstårnet in Norway, which stands at 85.4 m (280 ft) tall.
The advantage/disadvantage ratio for wood shows that it is more of a promising avenue for the future of construction than a passing trend, and CEP Forensic ‘wood’ agree with this sentiment.
Through CEP’S precise and comprehensive investigations, involving wooden structures, our team of experts is knowledgeable about this material in relation to construction. By combining tradition, innovation, and investigation, they contribute to the (wooden!) structure of technical performance and aesthetic durability.
Wood from a New Angle
- Wood is also essential in music! From the classical violin to the modern guitar, the resonance offered by wooden instruments is crucial.
- If you still have doubts about the durability of wood, take a look at the Horyu-ji temple in Japan. It’s the oldest wooden structure in the world, built in… AD 700.
- 95% of homes in North America are built on a wooden frame. The structure of an average-sized house traps about 29 tons of CO2. Wood proves to be an essential ally in reducing our carbon footprint.