Useful SitesResources
Timber - The Renewable Resource
Timber – the world’s greatest renewable resource
Trees have provided heat and shelter since prehistoric times. The variety of timber has enabled man to exploit the world’s greatest resource to amazing effect. Every structure built prior to the 20th century in Britain contains a considerable amount of wood even if to all appearances it is built in stone.
In the 1930s, many houses in Britain were built with concrete, which was cheaper and more readily available than timber. Step into a 1930s’ house, today, and the cold can be instantly felt emanating from the concrete walls as soon as the heating is turned off. The windows, in most 1930s’ houses, have metal frames and the combination of metal and concrete can cause massive condensation problems.
Wind the clock back to the Edwardian and Victoria eras and houses were built with wooden floorboards, wooden supporting beams and wooden window frames, complemented by lathe plaster, bricks or stone. The result was and is a much warmer house that uses up less fuel to heat than many, more contemporary dwellings.
There is no doubt that we humans have an affinity with wood. We like the look and feel of wood and we like walking through beautiful woods. But, how does that square with the notion of chopping down trees? There is much talk of sustainable forests and, if managed properly, trees can be removed and replaced to supply timber for generations in the future. Of course, nobody who cares about global warming wants great swathes of the Amazon rainforest chopped down to provide rare hard timber for wealthy people who can afford to pay for superior wood flooring and furniture.
There is, however, a compromise that is currently being worked out so that the rain forest can be properly maintained and preserved by the indigenous peoples earning more money by taking care of the trees than by chopping them down.
Deciduous forests in Europe and Asia are being maintained by the money that is earned from the supply of specially selected hardwood trees such as oak, without causing soil erosion and loss of habitat for wildlife.
Houses that are built with a considerable amount of wood require fewer fossil fuels to heat in winter and to keep cool in summer. In fact, if the world’s forests are properly managed, then houses that have a substantial wood and timber content are more environmentally friendly than buildings constructed with concrete and glass.
People are very sensitive when it comes to their surroundings and animals are too. For example, a stable block that is built with concrete breeze blocks may last a long time but the cold that permeates through the walls can be uncomfortable for both horses and people. For practical reasons, the floors in stables are best made of concrete but there is a good balance if the roof and surrounding walls are constructed with quality wood.
There are numerous examples of buildings that are so much more pleasurable to be in if made predominantly with wood. Can you imagine a summer house or gazebo that is not made with wood? Garden offices and extra school buildings work well for the human condition if constructed with wood. Even metal machinery, such as cars, fairs much better in a wooden garage than one that is built with concrete. Condensation can easily corrode a classic car whereas, in a timber garage, excess moisture is absorbed naturally into the wood. Field shelters for animals that are constructed in timber can be easily towed across a field to offer genuine warmth to spring lambs and other livestock.
If you are looking for a structure that will last for a good number of years, that provides comfort for both people and animals, then well-constructed wood and timber buildings are the simple answer. Whether you are requiring a stable block, an extra school classroom, a summerhouse or garden office, a timber construction is both the simple and ecological solution. And, when the time is right, the wood in years to come will naturally rot into the earth or can be burned.
People love the feel of wood, especially when it is smooth, hard and polished.