Pros and Cons of Choosing Mass Timber on Your Construction

Mass timber as a sustainable building material has recently become increasingly popular. But just like other materials, it has some flaws that must be addressed. This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using mass timber in your construction project.

(Photo : Pexels/Eneida Nieves )

Pros of Using Mass Timber

1. Sustainability

Timber frame construction offers equal attention to commercial and environmental factors, another reason sustainable construction is becoming an increasingly significant practice. With the lowest embodied carbon of all construction materials, timber is truly renewable because it stores and absorbs more carbon than it emits throughout processing and installation.

2. Energy Efficiency

Additionally, timber's recyclable and biodegradable properties and the reduction of waste produced on-site through prefabrication contribute to its waste efficiency. Through the delivery of components that are cut to size, there is a reduction in the number of instances of overordering and errors.

The significance of energy efficiency is growing among housebuilders, building proprietors, and occupants. This is especially true when it comes to new construction because new buildings are required to comply with new energy efficiency regulations due to the new standard and the impending Future Homes Standard.

3. Timber Frame Construction & Airtightness

Buildings made of timber frames are well-known for their ability to prevent air from escaping. Due to its superior detailing, a continuous internal vapor control layer is incorporated into structural timber, making it more resistant to air leaks. Increased energy consumption, decreased thermal comfort and air quality, and an increased risk of moisture damage are all consequences of inadequate airtightness.

4. Speed of Construction

Building a comparable brick and block structure can take significantly longer than fabricating a prefabricated timber frame on site. The reduced duration of weather exposure allows for the commencement of interior trades, including electrical wiring and plastering, at an earlier stage in the construction schedule. Before dried plasterboard can be applied to timber frames that have been rendered weathertight, the moisture content of the frames must stabilize. Nevertheless, this is typically shorter than mortar's duration to cure.

Also Read: Construction Innovate Pushes For Sustainable Construction Through Tech, Academic Collaboration

Cons of Using Mass Timber

1. Condensation

Regardless of the type of structure, condensation is a problem that can arise and is notoriously challenging to address. The condensation formation occurs when warm air from the interior comes into contact with a cold wall that has not been adequately insulated. Whenever anything like this takes place in a building made of timber, it has the potential to cause the skeleton of the building to decay.

2. Shrinkage and Swelling

Natural timber can absorb water, which causes it to undergo contraction or expansion. The treatment of wood should always be appropriate, considering its use and exposure; if it is allowed to decay in the presence of water, the quality of the timber may suffer.

3. Vulnerable to Pests

Pests like carpenter ants, woodworms, and termites are significantly more likely to be attracted to timber frame homes than brick or concrete homes. On the other hand, through proper house maintenance, vermin infestations can be prevented. Without prompt sealing, any holes discovered in your home will provide an ideal environment for the proliferation of insects and other pests.

4. Poor Sound Insulation

In contrast to masonry structures, sound transportation is not inhibited in residences featuring timber frames. Your voice will be heard more loudly in a timber frame home than in a concrete one due to the lack of density in timber frames. However, soundproofing a residence is possible by adding insulating or sound-deadening materials to the timber frame.

Related Article: Mass Timber Fire Test Proves Resilience in Different Rare Worst-Case Scenarios