Timber houses and frames can have the lowest carbon footprint of other types of construction. A carbon footprint is a measurement of carbon dioxide released when certain products or other human activities are used.
Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere and is an important contributor to global warming. You can find the best-graded timber wall frames for making strong timber-framed homes.
The ECCM estimates that an 88% reduction in greenhouse gases can be achieved using wooden or timber frames where possible, rather than other conventional building materials.
Greenhouse gas reductions have been achieved by replacing high-energy, carbon-rich materials such as steel and concrete with hardwoods. According to the report, the production of steel and concrete materials accounts for 10% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
These materials have high levels of CO2, which are created during raw material refining, extraction, processing, and manufacturing of the final product. According to a study published by most of the Architects, the energy used to turn timber into timber accounts for about a tenth of steel production.
Another report by the Research Consortium for Renewable Industrial Materials compared four different structures with different wall systems – two timber, one concrete, and one steel system. The study reports that timber structures outperform reinforced concrete houses in terms of energy consumption and impact on air and water quality.