Timber has many uses in construction, and it is one of the favourite materials used in homes, offices, commercial sites, and different types of buildings. The comparison of wood with aluminium may be made, but it is better not to compare both. Timber and aluminium are two raw materials used in construction, and their uses are numerous. Aluminium is harder and lasts longer, while timber has a lasting organic and natural look. It gives a more natural and environment-friendly look and attributes to buildings. Therefore, it is better not to compare them both; instead, one should consider the qualities and salient features of the timber.
Preferable Characteristics of Timber:
Wood or timber has some unique features that make it preferable over other types of materials. Timber has better support for it because it is lightweight. It can break lengths because it can support its weight. This quality lacks in other heavy material made of metals and bricks. Therefore, it can cover larger spaces with less level of support needed for building designs.
It has high electrical and heat resistance. This quality is not negligible, especially when many events and defects occur because of an electrical short circuit in today’s world. Some hardwood timber is so strong that they do not easily burn once exposed to fire; and some are treated to enhance this attribute which resulted in a revolutionary type of non-combustible cladding. Moreover, the timber is resistant to electrical conduction as well; therefore, it also has preference over its safety.
Some environmentally friendly attributes of timber make it a preferable choice. Along with its organic and natural attributes, it is also the natural absorber of the sound. It does not reflect or amplify the sound that leads to a reduction in noise. It is an increased point of comfort for constructors.
Beauty and aesthetic sense associated with timber make it for additional comfort. It is available in many designs and shapes those add beauty to a building. Thus, it has varying benefits in construction. It is the material used for making a building, and later, constructors can use it for decoration of the finished building such as in the case of timber facade constructions. This versatility is specific to timber and wood that is unmatchable. Therefore, it is cost-effective, too, over time.
Green Advantage and Renewability:
Ecological concerns and responsibility issues are important where the world is under the negative effects of global warming and climate change. Green products and solutions for buildings are preferable. Critics, therefore, call for not using timber for construction because it leads to deforestation. It is a short-sighted and narrow perspective to protect the environment. Instead, timber is renewable because anyone can manage to grow trees and forests. It does not need extra efforts, but a collective effort at the society level can grow trees. Concrete and steel do not have this attribute that makes timber environment-friendly.
Moreover, the life cycle of timber has a low level of impact on the environment that makes ita production less costly. Some hardwoods do not expire easily, and they may be used as second-hand timber in construction. These features do not support the notion that wood is not renewable and injurious to health to that extent. However, a balanced approach must exist because irresponsible deforestation may distort the environmental equilibrium.
The above points favour the use of timber over other building materials, including aluminium. Again, it is worth explaining that the comparison of aluminium with timber is not suitable because it is the individual preference to use any of the options available. However, timber has many unique, flexible, and environment-friendly characteristics that do not exist in aluminium. So the final decision should be left for constructors and architects as they have to make the ultimate decision.
