Advantages of Wood Construction

There are many advantages to using wood in construction, and it is an increasingly popular choice of material for projects of all types and sizes.

As a leading manufacturer of structural wood systems, we’re well aware of the many benefits of installing timber frames and wood components. However, many people are still sceptical when it comes to choosing to use wood in construction. To help you make up your mind, our specialists are here to present the advantages of using wood for residential, commercial, institutional and agricultural construction projects.

An historic, durable and versatile material

Wood is one of the oldest and most widely used building materials. In fact, it has been used to build some of the world’s most historic buildings. A case in point is the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, one of the oldest wooden buildings in North America, which was erected in 1688. Another impressive example is the Yingxian Pagoda in China. Built in 1056 and reaching a height of 67 metres, it remains the world’s tallest pagoda. Made exclusively of wood, it has survived for nearly a millennium thanks in part to sophisticated construction techniques.

These examples of tall wood structures illustrate how the history that mankind is intertwined with the manufacture of wooden structures, and the strength and durability of this building material.

Wood construction: an economical choice

Timber construction offers numerous economic advantages, making it an attractive choice for many building projects in both the residential and commercial sectors. This is one reason that so many people build their homes with wood. Wood offers considerable benefits in terms of cost and energy efficiency, making it both a sustainable and financially advantageous solution.

Good natural thermal and acoustic insulation performance

Thanks to its natural composition, wood efficiently captures air, creating an insulating barrier that reduces heat transfer between the inside and outside of a building.

These insulating properties permit wood to help reduce heating requirements in the cold months and air-conditioning needs in the summer. This can significantly reduce your hydro bills, making wood components an excellent long-term investment.

In addition to thermal insulation, wood also offers advantages in terms of acoustic insulation. It absorbs and reduces noise to create a quieter, more comfortable indoor environment. For these reasons in particular, wood is often favored for auditoriums.

Quick assembly time

When you build with wood, you can also benefit from significantly reduced assembly times, thanks in particular to the prevalence of prefabricated wood components. This translates into shorter construction times and significant cost savings.

Lower finishing and foundation costs

Because of their light weight, wooden structures require shallower, less extensive foundations than concrete or steel. This translates into lower costs for materials, excavation and site preparation.

A green solution

Wood is a highly environmentally-friendly construction solution, and offers numerous environmental advantages over materials like concrete and steel.

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Wood manufacturing processes emit considerably less greenhouse gases than the equivalent processes for producing concrete and steel. Transforming raw wood into building materials requires relatively low energy inputs and produces fewer pollutants. 

A renewable resource

Wood is a unique building material in that it comes from a renewable resource. Trees used to produce wood can be replanted, so that there a continuous source of materials for future generations. 

What’s more, the forestry industry is a pillar of Quebec’s economy. The province boasts numerous mills that employ nearly 37,000 workers. When you choose to build with wood, you’re also choosing to support the local economy.

Combats global warming

One of wood’s remarkable properties is its ability to store carbon dioxide (CO2). Trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as they grow, and this carbon remains stored in the wood even after it has been processed into building materials. Consequently, timber constructions act as carbon reservoirs, helping to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and mitigate the effects of climate change.

An aesthetic choice

Wood is not only a functional and durable material, it also offers a unique and warm aesthetic.

Each piece of wood has its own grain, knots and color variations, giving every building a unique character. This visual diversity creates welcoming, comfortable interiors, adding a dimension of well-being to living and working spaces.

Wood integrates harmoniously with other building materials like glass, metal and stone, contributing to the creation of innovative, balanced architectural designs. What’s more, wood can be left unfinished, unlike other materials which often require complex surface treatments. Once again, this saves money.

Environments that include wood elements are proven to have a positive effect on psychological well-being. Wood helps to create soothing, inspiring spaces, reducing stress and improving quality of life. This phenomenon is linked to the concept of biophilia, which suggests that humans have an innate need to connect with nature. By integrating wood into construction, we satisfy this need, and can create healthier, more pleasant environments to live in.

Wood is fire-resistant

Contrary to popular belief, wood is highly resistant to fire. When exposed to flames, wood burns slowly and evenly, forming a carbonized layer on its surface. This layer slows down combustion, meaning wood meets the most stringent fire-resistance requirements.

What’s more, modern wood treatment techniques include fire-retardant products that make the material even more fire-resistant than it is naturally. These treatments delay the spread of flames, improving the overall safety of wooden buildings.

Contact Usihome for your wood construction projects

Whatever the type of construction you’re planning, wood is an excellent choice of material. There are many advantages to using timber, as it is cost-effective, good for the environment, aesthetic and safe.

If you’re interested in using wood for your construction project, feel free to contact Usihome. We’ve been experts in the manufacture of prefabricated structural wood components since 1935. 

One of our representatives will be happy to answer your questions and show you our full range of products, starting with roof trusses, floor joists and prefabricated walls.