To reduce emissions and achieve net-zero goals, the broader construction industry has been increasingly turning to timber as a building material that can help achieve sustainability objectives, writes Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).
Driven forward by the Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap, which outlines Parliament’s strategy for increasing the safe use of timber within the construction industry, the BWF has long championed the benefits of timber and played a key role in the development of the industry Roadmap.
In fact, research conducted by the BWF on attitudes of homeowners’ and housebuilders’ towards timber products revealed an overwhelmingly positive sentiment. Added to this, our data found that for 60% of people it is important to know that products have been sourced and manufactured in an environmentally friendly way.
With consumers turning toward more sustainable solutions and the Government striving toward net zero, it’s more important than ever to understand the role that timber and timber products can play in helping achieve a lower carbon future.
Here, we explore the benefits of timber and how the BWF is championing its use as a sustainable material.
Timber and sustainability
Wood is the only building material that is inherently renewable. As trees are harvested, new seedlings can be planted and by supporting timber certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), businesses and customers can be reassured that raw timber is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Wood also has a significantly lower embodied carbon footprint (emissions from production through to end of life) as it requires less energy-intensive manufacturing processes compared to other materials. Added to this, as trees grow they sequester atmospheric carbon, and according to The Forestry Commission, the stored carbon is estimated to make up 50% of timber’s dry weight.
Timber products not only boast sustainable credentials but also offer aesthetic appeal and exceptional long-term value.
As new influences impact business and consumer choice, including Government net zero targets, sustainable forestry and the continued focus on health and wellbeing, it’s important that the wide range of benefits of timber are effectively communicated.
Misconceptions surrounding the use of timber
Despite housebuilders and homeowners recognising the appeal of timber, the lack of awareness over its benefits means that myths have continued to persist. This is particularly apparent when looking at timber windows and other high-value assets.
Myth 1: Timber windows are less energy efficient
Timber is a naturally insulating material and timber windows can offer the same thermal performance as alternatives. However, the energy efficiency of a window is much more than just the frame. The glazing and draft-proofing also have a major impact on performance.
Myth 2: Timber is more expensive than alternative materials
In our ‘Challenging misconceptions, homeowner and housebuilder attitudes to timber windows and doors’ survey, cost was highlighted as one of the main reasons why housebuilders are deterred from using timber in windows . While materials such as uPVC tend to be cheaper than timber in the short term, the improved durability of timber window frames means that they exceed the lifespan of alternatives.
Timber windows can achieve lifespans of up to 50 years and beyond, while other popular window materials average just 20-30 years and still require maintenance to achieve this.
The improved durability of wood window frames means that they can last longer and therefore actually provide better value over their lifetime. Not only can wood window frames have a long service life but they also offer lower through-life costs when maintenance and replacement are factored in.
Myth 3. Timber products require a great deal of maintenance
Maintenance was listed as the top misconception among homeowners and housebuilders. Though 49% of housebuilders indicated that the length of product guarantee for their windows was the most important factor, modern wood window frames actually require much less maintenance than commonly believed. In addition, window manufacturers provide industry-standard warranties.
In fact, many BWF members offer 10-year guarantees on products with an opaque finish and seven years for products with a translucent finish.
BWF’s commitment to promoting timber and driving sustainable best practice
As a champion of timber, the BWF is committed to highlighting the benefits of wood through our Build It Better with Wood messaging and ongoing educational awareness campaigns. In addition, our involvement in the development of the Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap will help bolster the use of wood within the construction industry and shape the future of our sector.
We are also helping our members advance their sustainable practices. Our BWF Code of Conduct includes an eight-point assessment with a strong focus on sustainability. As well as this, the new 2024 BWF Sustainability Award celebrates those in our sector who are leading sustainable practices. Through these initiatives, we support our members in their goals to help the industry achieve net-zero goals.
Timber will play an essential role in helping the construction industry and the Government meet its net zero ambitions, and together as a sector, we can champion its use while working toward our individual carbon reduction ambitions.
