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Wood as a building material - Why build with wood?

Advantages of wood as a building material - 10 reasons to build your house from wood

What are the advantages of wood as a building material? If you're asking yourself this question, you've come to the right place! For us, a home is more than just a place to live. In the wake of increased environmental awareness, many people want a house that is aesthetic, stable and ecological at the same time. This demand has brought the natural building material wood back into the focus of the construction industry. A development that benefits people and nature in equal measure.

In this article, I would like to introduce you to the 10 decisive reasons for building with wood. Let's go!

In advance you can find here already a short Overview about the advantages:

  1. Sustainability
  2. Modernity
  3. Environmental friendliness
  4. Shoring capability
  5. Indoor climate
  6. Versatility
  7. Insulation
  8. Longevity
  9. Aesthetics
  10. Recovery

Important Notice: Primarily due to the Corona crisis, the Lumber prices explode. But of course that doesn't change the fact that wood is a great, sustainable building material, which is why I'm leaving the costs out of the equation here.

10 advantages - Why is wood a good building material?

Now we come straight to the heart of this article. What makes wood a good building material for your own home? sustainable house building? Here are the most important advantages that will help you decide in favor of the Building with wood should make things a little easier.

1. it is sustainable

In this country, spruce and pine are the preferred woods for the construction of wooden houses. Birch is very popular for furniture and interior paneling. All these varieties are native to Germany and grow rapidly. Our forests produce the amount of wood required to build a house in just a few seconds.

2. it is modern

Woman in front of modern wooden house

People were already using wood as a building material in the Stone Age. This continued in the Middle Ages until steel and concrete became the new favorites of builders in the 19th century. But of course the material is not old-fashioned. Take a look at these innovative wooden houses in the free eBook to see that the natural product easily compatible with the modern architectural style is.

3. it is environmentally friendly

The regional origin of the wood used from sustainable forestry is also reflected in the positive ecological balance of the natural building material. Only a small amount of CO2 is produced during the short transportation from the forest to the sawmill. In addition, wood is only dried and then used untreated. Chemical varnishes and environmentally harmful additives are usually not used. 

Notice: The Deforestation of (rain)forests is one of the biggest environmental problems of our time. However, the main reason for this is the creation of pastureland and arable land for the cultivation of animal feed - in other words, our consumption of animal-based foods.

4. it is easy to get and install

In the best case, the material originates from Germany and is produced at a German Timber trade This means that long transportation routes can be avoided. Wood was not the preferred building material of our ancestors for nothing. Despite its high stability, it has a Lower dead weight than steel and concreteso that the use of heavy equipment is not necessary for construction. It can also be assembled quickly and evenly without long drying times.

5. it improves the indoor climate

Houses made of natural wood benefit from the advantageous properties of the building material. Thanks to its special structure, it is able to positively influence the temperature and humidity of the rooms. In winter it prevents heat from escaping, in summer it ensures a pleasant, cool climate in the living and sleeping areas.

6. it is versatile

Building with wood is sustainable

Constructions are possible with wood that would be unthinkable with steel and concrete. The so-called Modular construction is becoming increasingly popular with architects and builders. It enables the construction of houses that can be flexibly extended or reduced in size. The modern timber house grows or shrinks with the living conditions of its occupants. The Flexibility is therefore a decisive advantage of wood as a building material.

7. it provides natural insulating material

The material used to insulate houses is a major burden on the environment. Styrofoam and polyurethane are by-products that are created during the extraction of the non-renewable fossil fuel crude oil. Their production is associated with high energy consumption. In addition, they cannot be decomposed by nature. Natural Insulation material made from sawdust - such as those produced in the manufacture of wooden houses and furniture - are a sustainable, biodegradable alternative.

8. it is durable

In many parts of Germany, half-timbered houses from the 14th century are representative of the above-average lifespan of this natural material. Steel and concrete quickly develop cracks when exposed to moisture and extreme weather changes. This requires regular, costly maintenance. As a natural material Wood accustomed to all weather conditions. Wooden buildings can withstand rain and cold without damage. 

9. it is aesthetic

Building with wood in aesthetic design

Buildings made of steel and concrete seem cold and forbidding. The sight of a hut or a house made of wood, on the other hand, fills us with Warmth and security. One reason for this effect is the natural grain, which is clearly visible on many types of wood. Wood as a building material adapts harmoniously to any furnishing style. from classic to neutral to futuristic.

10. it can be 100 percent recycled

Fortunately, the raw material wood is part of the natural cycle and is materially recyclable. So if a wooden house has reached the end of its life at some point, it can be used for energy. In this case, it usually produces more electricity than its extraction, further processing and construction took.

Wood as the building material of the future

Wood as a building material is environmentally friendly, versatile and cost-effective. The raw material always comes from regional forests where it grows back quickly. Treatment with chemical additives is not necessary. In addition, no waste is produced during timber production, as the chips serve as a natural insulating material. The return to this sustainable building material confirms what our ancestors already knew: Wood is a material for eternity.

I hope that I have been able to give you an understanding of the benefits of this renewable raw material for building your home. Do you have any questions, tips or your own experiences with building with wood that you would like to share here? Then I look forward to your comments under this post.

Stay sustainable,

Christoph from CareElite - Plastic-free living

PS: Wood is a renewable and therefore fundamentally sustainable raw material. However, neither houses nor smaller objects such as tables, chairs or barbecue charcoal should be made of tropical wood. Below Save rainforest you will now learn crucial everyday tips to protect the tropical forests!

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* Links with asterisks are so-called Affiliate linksIf you click on it and buy something, you automatically and actively support my work with CareElite.de, as I receive a small share of the proceeds - and of course nothing changes in the product price. Many thanks for your support and best regards, Christoph!

Christoph Schulz

Christoph Schulz

I'm Christoph, an environmental scientist and author - and here at CareElite I'm campaigning against plastic waste in the environment, climate change and all the other major environmental problems of our time. Together with other environmentally conscious bloggers, I want to give you tips & tricks for a naturally healthy, sustainable life as well as your personal development.

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