Wood is a very traditional construction material with a range of benefits, particularly when it comes to sustainability and environmental friendliness. It can also be energy-efficient if you use the right designs and techniques when building.
Wood’s Insulating Properties
Part of the reason that wood is valued in house-building is its naturally insulating properties. It is not a strong conductor of heat, particularly compared to materials such as steel, because of the small pockets of air that make up part of its structure. This means your house should heat quickly and remain warm without the heat escaping through the wood into the outside. You will need less energy to heat your home and should therefore also see a reduction in costs.
Advantages of a Timber Frame Construction
Wood can be used in construction in a variety of ways. Its versatility is one of the reasons for its popularity, along with the fact that it is a natural, easy-to-grow material. Trees are also an important part of reducing the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. This explains why the government has been attempting to increase the use of timber in construction more generally.
In the case of constructions with wooden frames such as those built by Merlin Timber Frame, there is a specific advantage regarding energy efficiency simply because they include space to incorporate additional insulation. It is much simpler to pack insulating materials between two wooden beams than to try and insert it into gaps in the masonry. An inner stud wall will cover the insulation. It is important that every part of the void is filled and that the frame fits snugly together. A wooden house that is not airtight will not be able to maintain the maximum energy efficiency.
The combination of wood’s naturally insulating properties combined with the ease of inserting additional insulation into a timber-framed building should keep your property warm in the winter and cool in the summer without having to rely on expensive, energy-guzzling heating and cooling systems. Your energy expenditure should drop and with it your energy bills.
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