03-04-2023 in Sustainability

Wood as a traditional building material - the future of construction?

Appropriate use can slow down climate change

The construction industry is responsible for a significant proportion of global CO2 emissions. Rethinking concrete and steel, which are energy-intensive to produce, in favor of more sustainable alternatives such as wood is an important step towards slowing down climate change and creating a sustainable future. Wood is therefore experiencing a boom as a versatile, natural and, above all, renewable raw material and is becoming increasingly popular as a climate-friendly building material. As a carbon sink, wood can help to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

Wood has many advantages. Thanks to the high degree of prefabrication, including modular construction, timber is already being used in commercial, residential and administrative buildings. Cutting and production in the factory, sorting and delivery – just in time – enable fast and precise assembly on site. The low thermal conductivity of wood also means that insulation material can be saved. Overall, this shortens the construction time and reduces costs on the construction site. Wood also has an excellent ecological balance at the end of the building cycle because it can be dismantled, returned to the cycle and reused. Alternatively, it is available as an energy source.

However, even wood cannot cover all requirements. Other materials can be used more resource-efficiently, particularly with regard to fire protection, sound insulation and the bracing of buildings. It is therefore particularly important to take a close look at the material and use it consciously and appropriately. The solution must be a hybrid construction method that utilizes the respective characteristics of the material used and thus makes construction easier, faster and more economical. Otherwise, we run the risk of sliding into the next crisis through the uncontrolled use of wood by depleting the global wood supply too quickly. Furthermore, the choice of wood should come from a sustainable source – from local, certified forests or a recycled source – in order to make the entire supply chain sustainable and reduce transportation routes.

Ultimately, the rethink in the construction industry can only succeed if we work together. Building with wood can make an important contribution here.