The uses of wood are endless. Be it furniture, houses, industrial halls, bridges or towers – wood has accompanied humankind for many thousands of years. And not without reason. Because its advantages over other materials are beyond dispute. Here are just a few examples:
Non-ageing qualities
Wood that has been protected against weathering will not age. That’s why – with correct maintenance – buildings will not lose their value. You only need to think of old half-timbered structures dating from the 13th century.
Great heat-retention capacities
Its particular cell structure makes wood a poor conductor of heat. This is why it is ideal as thermal insulation and at the same time creates a warm and cosy atmosphere.
Better fire resistance
With the proper structural measures to provide protection against fire, wood will, for instance, resist the effects of fire longer than steel beams and concrete structures are able to.
Maximum earthquake resistance
Because wood is very light, the forces acting on the supporting structure of a building are lower during an earthquake. What’s more, its high elasticity means it can absorb seismic waves better.
Renewable resources
Wood grows back again. It is therefore an inexhaustible source and comes with an impressive ecological record to boot.
Compliant with current CO2 requirements
One cubic metre of installed “Weinberger-best-of-holz” stores one ton of CO2.
This is just another reason why it satisfies the current CO2 building regulations for the construction of public buildings such as exist in several countries and some of which are already prescribed by law.
These are a few reasons why timber is such a good material for construction. But because we’re also able to enhance its properties, there are also many more reasons. But find out for yourself!
