What a Wonderful Wood

The Importance of Wood Through the Ages

Throughout human history, wood has played an incredibly significant role. We often categorize different periods of history based on the materials we have learned to utilize. For example, we have the Stone Age, the Iron Age, the Bronze Age, the Age of Reason, the Industrial Age, and the Information Age. However, there is no specific “Wood Age” because wood has been a fundamental component in every era.

Wood has been a central building material since the dawn of civilization. The unique properties of wood make it an ideal material for construction. Its strength, durability, workability, and renewability have allowed humans to build shelters, homes, and entire cities using this versatile material.

Throughout history, the ability to work with wood has marked major advancements in architecture and construction. Wood framing enabled more complex buildings as civilizations developed. Even as we entered the age of concrete, steel, and glass, wood remains a core structural material for home and building construction today.

Why Does Wood Endure?

In this era of sustainability, some may question why we still rely on wood for construction. Shouldn’t we be moving on to more advanced materials? Aren’t we harming the planet by continuing to use wood? Is there a better alternative? While it is likely that we will eventually discover new materials that are more efficient, cost-effective, stronger, and longer-lasting, for now, the answer is NO. Wood remains at the forefront of our building endeavors due to its abundance and versatility.

Wood has a rare combination of strengths that makes it suitable for structural applications:

– High strength-to-weight ratio: Wood is very strong relative to its low density. This makes it lightweight yet able to bear considerable loads. Its strength-to-weight ratio surpasses that of other lightweight materials. Carbon fiber, for instance, can be configured to have higher tensile strength and be lighter than wood, but it lacks wood’s ability to withstand high levels of pressure.

– Renewability: With responsible forestry practices, wood can be harvested sustainably over relatively short timescales. This makes it a renewable resource.

– Workability: The cellular structure of wood makes it easy to cut, shape, join, and otherwise manipulate using both hand and power tools. This workability allows complex wooden structures.

– Affordability: As an abundant natural material, wood is generally cheaper than alternatives like steel, concrete, and engineered products. This makes wood framing economically favorable. Despite the confusion caused by the availability of cheaper metal studs in stores, those studs are non-structural and primarily used for partition walls in commercial buildings. They cannot bear significant weight like the structural steel used in high-rise buildings. Constructing an entire house out of structural steel is very expensive. Also, treating wood for termites and mold is relatively inexpensive compared to a termite-free steel house.

– Wood has excellent insulating properties. Unlike steel, wood resists transferring heat, cold, electricity, and sound.

– Carbon capture: As trees grow, they sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Using wood in buildings continues to keep this carbon out of the atmosphere.

Alternatives and Innovations

While wood has yet to be displaced as the primary framing material, alternatives and wood-based innovations continue to emerge:

– Engineered wood products like oriented strand board (OSB) allow more efficient use of each harvested tree. Composite wood materials reduce waste while retaining strength. Companies like Boise Cascade and Weyerhaeuser offer products like Versa Stud and Timber Strand, respectively, which are made from compressed wood fibers. These products are dimensionally accurate, flexible, and straight, similar to steel studs but made of wood. Currently, they are more expensive than regular Douglas fir studs but offer better quality. The future of the industry lies in working with wood more efficiently, rather than shifting away from it. Wood alternatives, although popular for decking and siding, are not yet suitable for structural purposes.

– Non-structural applications like decking and siding have seen growth in alternative materials like bamboo, recycled plastics and agricultural fibers. These materials complement wood’s structural dominance.  Bamboo (which grows quickly and is renewable) is another natural alternative. However, bamboo is not as versatile as wood and has limitations in terms of shape and smoothness. Processing bamboo into usable studs is currently more costly than using wood. Additionally, bamboo is not as water or termite resistant as wood. Bamboo farming is also more suitable for warmer climates, making it less feasible in North America. Most wood alternatives in the construction industry are used for non-structural purposes such as decking and siding. Despite advancements, wood remains the primary choice for building houses due to its strength and versatility.

– Modifications like thermal treatment can enhance wood’s durability and fire resistance. Advanced fasteners and truss systems also boost structural capabilities. Innovation will enable smarter wood use.

The Future of Wood

Wood has endured the test of time as a beloved building material. As we look to build in an increasingly sustainable world, wood and its emerging alternatives will continue to transform construction while respecting the planet’s finite resources. The future remains bright for innovative, responsible wood use.