Debate

Why timber?
Point 1: Timber has a low carbon impact and low resource use and contributes in
reducing global warming levels.
Evidence and Explanation: Carbon, and especially CO2 emissions, are recognized
as a key factor in climate change. In the UK 40% of all carbon emissions come
from buildings, split evenly between domestic and commercial. There is a drive
to 2016 for the Zero Carbon house. Timber can contribute significantly with the
carbon sink effect of the forests, the carbon storage of the timber and as
substitution for carbon intensive materials.
Every 1m3 of timber absorbs 1 tonne of CO2
Timber energy is CO2 neutral (only the CO2 absorbed is returned back to the
atmosphere)
There is little waste in manufacturing, as the by-products can be used for
energy generation in bio-mass power plants, which can be used to generate
power for the site or the grid.
Link: When you use timber structures youre actively helping to reduce the
effects of global warming.
Point 2:

Wood is the only renewable commercial building material and as a modern method of
construction is effectively carbon neutral as per the results of the life cycle assessment.

Evidence and Explanation: Life cycle assessment measures the environmental impacts of a
building component right the way through its life. It takes into account where the material comes
from and how it is used, all the way through to disposal or recycling.
There are 3 phases: Production phase or embodied energy: timber has the lowest embodied energy of any
commonly used building material.

How wood products slow global warming NET emissions of CO 2 including

carbon sink effect

 in use phase: timber buildings can be most cost effective in constructing energy efficient
buildings.

CO2 Emissions from different house constructions

A 2001 Swedish study showed the difference to be equivalent to 27 years heating, or driving a
Volvo s80 130,000km!

CO2 emissions from different wall constructions

End of life: if the timber cannot be recycled it can be used as a substitute for fossil fuels,
providing renewable energy. CO2 can be saved using timber over the whole life cycle.
Substituting 1m3 of timber for other construction materials can result in savings of up to 1 tonne
of CO2 This combined with the carbon storage, means that 1m3 of timber stores and substitutes
2 tonnes of CO2
Net CO2 life cycle emissions of construction materials

Point 2: Timber Structures have great efficiencies and allow tremendously high
speeds of construction as compared to other construction materials.
Evidence and Explanation: UNDP predicts that by 2050, 60% of the world
population will be living in urban areas.

Why building with timber is not sustainable

1. High energy requirement compared to concrete (8.5 vs 5.55 MJ/Kg)
2. High cost per tonne compared with concrete (2.25 vs 0.2)
3. Illegal timber leads to deforestation, enough manged forest now to sustain
current timber use, but if the government was to begin demanding timber
usage would there then be enough? Amazon rainforest
4. Timber takes a long time to grow
5. Structural concerns
6. Fire
7. Creep-Loses Elasticity with sustained loading
8. Moisture effect
9. Attack by Insects

Rebukes
1. High energy yes, but much lower CO 2 output vs concrete (0.46 vs 0.96).
Plus forests act as carbon sinks, a single acre of mature trees absorbs
around about 13.5metric tonnes of CO 2, the equivalent to 2.7 acres CO 2
annual production. Timber buildings also absorb CO 2, a timber frame
house absorbs around 10 tonnes of CO 2, and that is just a framed house.
Also due to biomass, the by-products could be used to create cleaner fuel
2. Once timber becomes common practice, the price will drop as new
technologies will be invested in, as the large companies take command of
the new construction expectations. Solar panels have dropped in price by
80% over the last 10 years in the US as the technology and methods of

3.

4.
5.

6.

carrying out the practice has improved. Plus there is no need for expensive
carbon capturing material
Individual tree farms are becoming common practice around the world,
particularly developing countries. Farmers are turning their back on the
traditional crops and moving to tree farming. In Kenya, the number of
small 2-4 farms planting trees has risen dramatically. The one acre tree
fund designed by the government affirms farmers to grow trees. It also
reduces the flooding and erosion problems and limits illegal logging
occurring.
True, however, the importation of the Eucalyptus tree which grows to
maturity takes 8-10 years
Timber has higher structural efficiency as carried load per unit weight
compared to reinforced concrete and steel structures. A common stud
used in house construction has similar compressive strength to general
purpose concrete. Many timbers are either naturally durable or can be
easily treated to make very durable. Timber used internally provides a
healthier environment for occupants as it helps maintain a better relative
humidity
A false perception, timber is good in fire, maintain its structure far better
than steel, due the charring effect. This charring effect can also be
designed into the timber to enhance its ability under extreme heat. For
example, in a fire, a thick plank of wood will char on the outside, sealing the
interior and protecting it from damage. Wood burns slowly at approximately 0.02
inches/minute and the char created on the wood surface as it burns helps protect
and insulate the unburnt wood below and maintain the structure. This is because
the build-up of carbon on the surface will limit the oxygen supply to the wood
below and act as insulator. Therefore, the wood below the charred level will be
cool and retain 85 to 90 per cent of its structural integrity. Metal, on the other
hand, begins to melt when it reaches a critical temperature (around 1300 degrees
C) so will fail catastrophically. B.J. Yeah, from APA described steel being like
spaghetti at this stage. Concrete structures generally perform very well in fires.
However, concrete is a complex material and its properties can dramatically
change when exposed to high temperatures. For example, while the compressive
strength of concrete is quickly lost beyond extreme temperatures (anything above
600 degrees C), much like steel, and the structural effectiveness isnt affected
until the bulk of the material reaches the same temperature.
Modern fire retardant treatments are also available that reduce the risk
further still i.e. they help control the rapid spread of fire in timber
structures.

http://www.timberqueensland.com.au/Docs/Benefits%20of%20Timber/MicrosoftWord-FACT-SHEET-TIMBER-CLIMATE-BENEFITSv4.pdf

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/04/science/how-many-pounds-of-carbondioxide-does-our-forest-absorb.html
https://sourceable.net/timber-vs-steel-vs-concrete-structures/#
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Farmers-show-money-can-grow-ontrees/-/1248928/2477164/-/1394ci0z/-/index.html
http://www.fao.org/docrep/u8995e/u8995e03.htm
https://www.oneacrefund.org/blogs/tag/trees/251
http://www.internationaltimber.com/news/timber/how-does-timber-handle-firecompared-to-steel-and-concrete-