Benefits of wood in construction
Wood is a natural material. This means that its readily available, recyclable and reusable. Wood is a more environmentally friendly alternative to steel, which is more expensive and labor-intensive to obtain. It uses fewer energy resources throughout the entire construction process. The following outlines the key benefits of wood in construction:
Thermal insulation
Wood is preferred for construction in areas with colder climates because it keeps spaces warm and comfortable. When used throughout a project, wood can sustainably lower a building’s energy consumption. In addition to preserving the environment, this prevents landlords from having to pay exorbitant electricity bills.
Acoustic insulation
Wood absorbs sound and echo. This qualifies it as a good building material for homes, businesses, and sound stages. It maintains privacy and leads to harmonious neighborhoods and workspaces.
Adaptability
Wood has diverse applications in construction. Woodworkers can easily recycle and reuse it for other builds because it’s a natural material. As an illustration, old door wood can be processed and repurposed as furniture. The adaptability of wood is a crucial quality in today’s environmentally conscious society.
Health benefits
Wooden structures help moderate humidity levels, encouraging easier breathing. Research has demonstrated that bringing nature indoors through wood enhances emotional wellbeing in addition to physical health. It induces feelings of warmth and comfort in your environment. Long-term reductions in blood pressure and stress levels result from this.
Easy to manufacture
Wood is easily accessible in our environment, unlike steel, which requires a time-consuming and complicated manufacturing process. This makes building with the material relatively reasonable. Wooden homes are also inexpensive to maintain, resulting in long-term cost savings.
Better resistance to fire
Despite being combustible, wood burns slowly and predictably. A layer of charcoal forms on the wood during a fire, which actually increases fire resistance. It insulates the inner core of the wood, slowing heat penetration and extending the time that it can carry its load over steel. This built-in fire protection system increases the likelihood that a wooden building will survive a fire.
When to use wood in construction
In order to prepare for an eco-friendly future, architects have modified their designs to incorporate wood in construction as industry professionals become more aware of climate change. However, wood in construction is not a novel concept. Carpenters and woodworkers used wood to improve the structural integrity of construction projects before steel became popular. Engineers classify wood into two distinct categories, softwood and hardwood. Heres how it impacts the functionality of wood in construction:
Hardwood
Hardwood is an appropriate material for use in building projects because it is frequently heavier than softwood. Contractors will use hardwood to create ceilings, walls and floors. Its power and toughness make it perfect for long-lasting builds.
The highest grade of hardwood contains 83% usable material. It is therefore a high-end, pricey option for interior joinery, solid wood moldings, and opulent home furnishings.
Softwood
Softwood is used by carpenters to build internal frameworks, including doors, window frames, and hardwood frames. Its also a common building material to create furniture. Softwood closely adheres to the form meets function design principle because it is much denser than hardwood. For instance, a softwood door is both resilient and maneuverable enough to last for years.
Types of softwood in construction
The following are the key types of softwood in construction:
Pinewood
Pinewood naturally has a light yellow hue that woodworkers can easily stain to suit the needs of various projects. Pinewood’s resistance to warping, swelling, and shrinkage makes it a desirable material for doors, windows, and flooring, despite the fact that it decomposes quickly near soil. Additionally, it is easily accessible, growing in the majority of the northern hemisphere.
Cedar wood
The color of cedar wood is light-brown, and it has a pattern of thin stripes. Due to its exotic appearance, decorative furniture items like drawers, chests, and closets are frequently made of this material. Cedar wood is suitable for storage-related items because it is also decay-resistant. Western Himalayan mountains and the Mediterranean region are home to native cedar forests.
Firwood
Firwood has a rich reddish-brown color. It is much harder than other softwoods, so staining it is more difficult. Usually, it is used in raw form for interior structures and furniture. Its found in North America and Europe.
Spruce wood
Spruce wood is strong softwood. Due to its light beige hue, it is frequently chosen for high-end construction projects like ship masts and airplane spars. Spruce wood can be challenging to work with because, without proper maintenance, it deteriorates even though it produces a high-quality finish. Spruce wood is most common in America, Canada and Europe.
Hemlock wood
Hemlock wood’s strength and light weight make it an affordable alternative for construction. Its ease of availability throughout the northern hemisphere makes it a good wood choice for planks, doors, and joinery despite being quite susceptible to decay.
Types of hardwood in construction
Here is a list of the standard hardwood construction types:
Teakwood
Teak is the most widely used hardwood in construction. Because of its light brown hue, it makes an attractive material for indoor structures and furniture. Teakwood has many desirable properties too. It quite strong against different weather and decay. Teakwood is a premium option for construction because it is so resilient and does not burn as easily.
Rosewood
Rosewood’s deep reddish-brown hue and floral scent are what give it its name. However, to maintain its composition, it needs a lot of upkeep and polishing. Rosewood, which originates in Brazil and India, is frequently expensive to obtain and process. Due to this, it is only employed to create decorative furniture and musical instruments.
Oakwood
Oakwood comes in two different varieties, red and white. The red variety has a unique grain and finish. Oak is simple to mold and shape, and it is resilient to moisture and fungus. Oakwood, which can be found almost everywhere in the world, is frequently used to make furniture like cabinets and bookcases.
Maplewood
Maplewood is incredibly strong and beautiful. It is a good wood choice for furniture because of its light beige color, which stains well and is simple to clean. Maplewood also has great durability. Its shock-resistant properties are often used to construct strong pathways. Although there are many different species of maple trees, they are most common in North America, Canada, and Europe.
Ashwood
Ashwood is frequently used by contractors to construct furniture, cabinets, flooring, millwork, and moldings. Because of its durability, light weight, and stunning light brown color, it is a crucial resource in the lumber industry. Its density and grain are comparable to oakwood’s, but it is less expensive to obtain.
Mahogany wood
Mahogany is a straight-grain, reddish-brown type of wood. Native to the Americas, the mahogany tree is renowned for its enormous size. It is a popular option for furniture because it makes a high-quality finish and makes an excellent carving wood. Carpenters also use mahogany for many underwater projects because it doesn’t warp, swell, or shrink.
Beechwood
Beech trees, which can be found all over the Northern Hemisphere, produce beechwood. It has a pale color that is ideal for staining. Despite its strength, beechwood is lighter and more easily cut than most other hardwoods. Beechwood is frequently used to make flooring because it has a variety of useful qualities. It also makes good firewood.
Cherry wood
Because of its deep, rich tones, cherry wood is frequently used by woodworkers to create cabinets and furniture for decorative purposes. Its easy to polish and resists warping. In hilly areas of Asia and Europe, cherry wood is a native species.
Walnut wood
Smooth surfaces make walnut wood relatively simple to work with for a variety of woodworking tasks, including carving and profiling. The wood of walnut trees can differ from its traditional dark chocolate hue depending on the species. For instance, European walnut trees typically weigh less than their American equivalents. Due to its weight and durability, walnut wood is a good option for dining tables, musical instruments, and other decorative objects.
What Kind of Wood Should You Build With? | WOODWORKING BASICS
FAQ
What are 3 types of wood?
Hardwood, softwood, or engineered wood are the three main types of wood used in home construction. Examples of softwood include spruce, pine, fir, cedar, and hemlock. Hardwood includes oak, teak, maple, mahogany, cherry, and walnut. Examples of engineered wood include plywood, MDF board, and composite board.
Which wood is best for house construction?
The Three Main Types of Wood. It’s important to comprehend the three primary types of wood you might encounter before we discuss all of the different wood varieties and their typical uses. These three types are: softwoods, hardwoods, and engineered wood.
