Timber

Timber is the only truly sustainable building resource - provided it comes from well managed forests.

It is naturally renewable, strong, and easily recyclable, and it also offers a simple way to reduce CO2 emissions, thanks to:
The carbon sink effect of the forests.

There is no other commonly used building material that requires so little energy to produce as timber, and its life-span can be extended thanks to huge potential for re-use and recycling.

There is a strong market for reclaimed timber, either in the same form or put to use in other products such as shingles, garden sheds, decking or fencing.

Beyond that, it is simple to recycle too: sawmill by-products, for example, are used in particleboard - a trend that has risen from 33% in 1970 to over 75% today.

Facts about Timber

• Timber is carbon neutral -because trees absorb one tonne of CO2 for every cubic metre of growth.
• It has the lowest embodied energy and best thermal insulation properties of any mainstream building material.
• Certified timber and timber products can help you achieve higher star ratings in the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Timber as a building material

As well as its sustainable credentials, timber has many benefits as a building material:

• Flexibility - lightweight, easy to work with.
• Durability - resistant to heat, frost, corrosion and pollution.
• Thermal Insulation - a highly effective insulator, creating excellent living conditions.

Developments in engineered timber technology also now mean timber can be used in place of materials such as steel and concrete in structural applications. For further information on how engineered timber can provide enhanced performance to your project click here.