Introduction
Today, there is a variety of options allowing to construct buildings in accordance with the population’s needs and modern tendencies, and a range of materials are available for realizing designers’ ideas. Timber is a resource, which has been used since early ages, and it is possible to construct with it without high-tech equipment. However, in the context of present-day developments, architects adhere to applying this material for building modern premises. Comparing to other available options, timber may contribute to saving money in some aspects, have advantageous technique characteristics, and imply ecological benefit.
Economic Considerations
One of the advantages of using timber as a construction material implies its cost-effectiveness. Comparing to other options, the production of timber involves a smaller number of phases, which makes it a budget analog. The reason for it is the fact that timber usage results in the reduction of time devoted to building a constriction. Using this material for building a frame allows to save money on scaffoldings, payments to specialists, crane hire, and site monitoring and controlling. In addition, in the context of commercial premises, the open date becomes significantly sooner.
The cost-effectiveness of timber has been proved by Wood Solutions, the Timber Development Association NSW, and the University of Technology. The organizations conducted a project, which was aimed to compare the expenditures on construction of different four types of buildings using timber, steel, and concrete (Heaton, 2018). The evaluation covered “a medium rise seven-story office building, an eight-story apartment building, a two-story aged care facility and a single story industrial shed” (Heaton, 2018, para. 13). All the premises had similar locations, namely suburban areas of Sydney. The constructions were planned by independent architects, and the expenditures were counted by independent specialists from the Royal Institute of Cost Surveyors (Heaton, 2018, para. 13). The project proved the cost-effectiveness of timber as a construction material for various types of buildings.
However, in order to provide an insight into this issue, it is essential to take into consideration indirect expenditures, such as life cycle and the price for maintenance. In this context, concrete may appear to be more cost-effective. Despite being a pricier material, it requires fewer sums of money for maintaining a building, as concrete is more durable (Heaton, 2018, para. 13). Unlike timber, concrete does not burn, which reduces expenses on fire protection and minimizes the risks (Heaton, 2018, para. 13). Analyzing the construction process, concrete does not require floor coverings and paints. Therefore, it cannot be stated precisely whether timber contributes to saving money (Heaton, 2018, para. 13). A particular case should be observed in order to present a clear conclusion.
Technical Specialties
In order to analyze the advantages or disadvantages of using timber for construction comprehensively, it is vital to observe its technical characteristics. First of all, this material is easy to work with due to its lightweight, and other benefits imply density and grain structure. Secondly, timber is a material, which has been used since ancient time, and, for this reason, the technique of its production is neat (The benefits of timber as a building material, n. d.). Therefore, it is relatively easy to cut timber and prepare it at a fixed size and shape.
Timber may be easily adapted and shaped for different purposes, and designers and architects can realize all their creative ideas on constructing a building. Consequently, timber allows to control the shapes and forms, which makes the final design unique. It is possible to use in decoration facades and making durable structures. Furthermore, there is a variety of timber species and grades, which may match any intention or idea (Švajlenka & Kozlovská, 2020). It is possible to build different types of buildings, from a cottage in the countryside to modern sky-scrappers.
Another benefit implies the fact that timber is a natural insulator. Consequently, it is helpful for keeping a relatively constant temperature inside a construction. On the contrary with steel and concrete, it minimized energy requirements for heating and cooling houses. As a result, timber contributed to the reduction of fossil fuel use by providing thermal efficiency (The benefits of timber as a building material, n. d.). Thus, the technical characteristics of timber appear to be its apparent advantage, comparing to other options.
Ecological Impact
The major advantage of using timber in construction regards its positive impact on the ecological condition. This material appears to be environmentally friendly, as it is a renewable resource. It is proved that “trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide, locking CO2 into the wood forever rather than releasing it into the atmosphere” (The benefits of timber as a building material, n. d., para. 4). Therefore, in case trees are cut when they are mature, the environment fully benefits from timber. Moreover, convention trees to timber requires insignificant energy expenses (The benefits of timber as a building material, n. d.). In the construction process, it needs a considerably fewer number of vehicles, comparing to concrete. Thus, timber is a contraction material, which has the lowest energy ratings among modern alternatives.
Scientifier Review highlight
“For example, a wooden floor beam requires around 80 megajoules (mj) of energy per square metre of floor space and emits 4kg CO2. By comparison, a square metre of floor space supported by a steel beam requires 516mj and emits 40 kg of CO2, while a concrete slab floor requires 290mj and emits 27kg of CO2” (The benefits of timber as a building material, n. d., para. 7).
The majority of countries, which stick to using timber, have a special policy on refilling this resource. After cutting trees, they regrow them, which not only makes them a renewable source but also benefits the environment. The last strong point is the fact that it is possible to plant trees appropriate for timber worldwide (Švajlenka & Kozlovská, 2020). Consequently, it is possible to grow it near the construction site, reducing the distances. It involves minimizing energy expenses and fossil fuel contaminations. These advantages make timber is competitive in the market of construction material market (The benefits of timber as a building material, n. d.). Unlike other options, it is an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and renewable source, and this feature makes it perspective in the long run.
Conclusion
In conclusion, timber appears to be a beneficial option for the construction of a variety of buildings. Its cost efficiency is evident in the construction process, there are numerous questions on its durability and maintenance expenditures. In this context, it may not be competitive among other options. However, it has a range of advantageous techniques specialties, which make modern architects use it. It is easy to work with and may be adopted to any creative idea. It is possible to build different types of premises regardless of size and decorate the facades with timber. It helps to regulate the temperature within the building, minimizing energy consumption. The major benefit of timber implies the fact that it is a renewable and sustainable resource, which does not harm the environment. For this reason, timber will be perspective in the construction material market in the long run.
References
Heaton, A. (2018). Is timber really cheaper?. Sourceable. Web.
The benefits of timber as a building material. (n. d.). Scientifier Review. Web.
Švajlenka, J. & Kozlovská, M. (2020). Evaluation of the efficiency and sustainability of timber-based construction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 259, 120835. Web.