“Basically as far as we’re concerned, the safest timber people can buy is plantation pine with FSC certification.” The Wilderness Society say people should consider the following hierarchy when purchasing timber, in descending order of sustainability: 1. Recycled or reclaimed timber, with FSC certification.

Softwood: Sustainable Timber With the speed of growth and yield of softwood being faster and greater than that of hardwood, it is easier to meet the ever-increasing needs of global consumption with FSC certified soft wood.

Which woods are most sustainable? Timber is usually classified as either hardwood, from broad leafed trees, such as Beech and Oak, or softwood from conifers like Pine and Fir. Simply because they’re replaceable, fast-growing species like Pine trees tend to be more sustainable than slow-growing trees like Oak.

Kwila from unsustainable sources has been imported for many years, but now shipments of kwila certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council are coming into New Zealand from Malaysia.

Timber shrinks, swells, twists, cracks and bends over time and different climatic conditions. Most timbers are prone to pest, rot, mold and fungi attacks, some are far better than others but they both require a minimum of LOSP or ACQ treatments for outdoor structures.

The timber frame itself is normally “guaranteed” by the manufacturer for various periods ranging from 10 to 40 years. It is a commonly perceived opinion within the industry that 25 –30 years is a reasonably expected life span for a softwood timber framed building.

2. Timber Framed House – Lifespan: 25 – 30 Years. These days, your average timber-framed house is made from softwood timber, unlike our Tudor ancestors who built with solid hardwood Oak frames that have stood the test of time.

While it takes longer to work with, steel is stronger and lighter than timber. Its strength means it can cover greater spans than timber and its lightness means it is better suited to sites with difficult access. However, timber can undertake various treatments to improve its strength.

Steel houses suffer from relatively poor insulation and energy efficiency: steel conducts heat 300 to 400 times faster than wood and reduces the insulating properties of wall insulation by 60% because of thermal bridging (heat taking the most conductive path to dissipate: steel is an excellent conductor of heat.

Despite timber being dense by itself, timber can be modified to be even denser – hence, stronger. Such recent technological developments mean that timber can be as strong as steel and brick, whilst retaining all of those other cherished qualities: light, sustainable and aesthetically-pleasing.

In areas where erosion and silt accumulate, wood stands up better because it damages brick walls, whereas wood is resistant. Wood is also a great insulator. On cold nights you have a better chance of keeping your heat in and staying warm. Another advantage is that it’s more flexible than brick.

The shift away from structural brick began after World War II. Mid-century consumers wanted suburban homes that looked distinct from their urban counterparts and newer building codes no longer required brick. That, meant less demand for both the material and the masons needed to install it.

While wood is more affordable than brick, according to a 2017 study conducted by RSMeans and the Brick Industry Association, the national average total construction cost of a clay brick-sided home is only two percent more than wood and fiber cement. So it’s cheaper, but not by much.