Timber has been used as a construction material for generations.
From building shelters, bridges to luxurious houses and furniture, it is one of the most durable materials used in construction. Still now, the use of timber is increasing significantly for several building projects. In modern building projects, timber has been used as an eco-friendly material to lower the overall cost of building a house.
If you are looking forward to building a new house with timber construction, then visit Hamill Creek Timber Homes to design and craft innovative and beautiful timber homes for yourself and your family.
The durability of Timber as a Construction Material
Timber is strong enough to be used as a construction material, but the primary issue with this material is long-term durability. Being a natural wood, it is always at risk of decaying when exposed to harsh climatic conditions, and with improper care and maintenance, it will just speed up the decaying process.
This can lead to frequent renovations and fixtures. However, with proper care and maintenance, you can alleviate the decaying up to some extent, and you can avoid additional expenses on renovations and fixtures.
The design of the construction also creates a huge difference in the long-lasting durability of the wood. Shaping the building in a manner that will allow the wood to withstand harsh climatic changes and preserve the wood, increasing its durability.
In simpler terms, you must aim to protect major wooden elements that can increase the longevity of timber and prevent exposure to weather conditions that will make the wood decay.
There are modern construction techniques that can help you to prevent the timber structure and framework exposure to moisture hence making the building durable enough for decades.
The Use of Engineered Timber
Nowadays, in modern construction, most wooden buildings are made of engineered wood. The application of engineered wood makes it easy to shape buildings in different exquisite designs to help you build your dream house. There are different types of engineered wood that are strong and durable enough and can last for years with regular maintenance.
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)
CLT is a type of engineered wood that is incredibly strong made by layers of laminated boards. These layers are glued together perpendicularly to the grain, making it strong and durable, providing stability and strength to the wooden structure. This type of engineered wood is used to provide structural support for your house, such as the floor, walls, ceiling, roof, and different designs of furniture.
Glue Laminated Timber (Glulam)
Glulam is another type of engineered wood that is quite popular for building structural elements during construction. Glulam is made similarly to CLT, i.e., by gluing together several layers of wood. The only difference is the layers of boards of Glulam are glued in the same direction with the grain. This type of engineered timber is used in lintels, columns, floor beams, ridge beams, arched bridge supports, and much more.
Importance of Design to Increase Durability
The right design in building a house with timber can increase the durability and longevity of the structure. You can make the structure more durable by keeping them off the ground. Ensure that the structure is built at an elevated position from the ground.
You must cover end grains to prevent moisture traps that can help you to improve the durability of the structure, making it stand strong for a long time. You must also do regular maintenance using wood preservatives to increase the longevity of your house to avoid regular repairs and renovations.
If you know how to maintain and treat your wooden house and build it with the right design, they can be quite strong and durable enough to last for decades.
Benefits of Timber for Constructing Buildings
1. Easy and convenient to build
Constructing a building with timber is quite easy and convenient. You can shape your house in several unique exquisite designs. It is even way quicker than building a house with bricks and stones.
An easy and quick way to build a house made it affordable for almost everyone and priced within your budget. This easy and convenient way to build your house gives you plenty of options to construct your house in different innovative designs.
2. Beautiful aesthetics
Timber houses are quite popular for providing beautiful aesthetic looks to your house. It provides warmth and a comforting vibe as you enter your house. Wooden houses tend to blend in with the landscape of the neighborhood as they can be shaped into various designs as per the surroundings. This beautiful visual impact can be a regular destination for your relatives and friends. Also, the aesthetic looks of wood make it easier to decorate the inside of your house.
4. Good insulation
One of the major benefits of building a house with timber wood is that it provides enough space for good insulation than a house with bricks and stones. Also, wood has natural insulating properties that make it ideal for people with a low budget. A well-insulated house will require less energy to heat and cool, which means you can save additional expenses by saving energy bills.
Using natural ways for insulation also reduces carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
5. Durable and easy to maintain
The major properties of a timber house are that it is durable enough to stand strong for decades, roughly around 50-80 years, and with proper maintenance and care, it can last even longer.
Timber houses are easy and cheap to maintain, especially when you don’t have to worry about painting the walls over time.
The Bottom-line
Timber is the second-most durable material for the construction of domestic and commercial buildings after bricks and stones buildings. But it is an ideal option for those who are low on budget but are looking to build their new home.
Also, it is eco-friendly and can be shaped into various designs along with plenty of other benefits. The modern building techniques make Wooden structures even more strong and increase stability, making them even more durable.
