Myths and realities
Myth: It harms the environment.
In recent years, the numerous environmental benefits of building with wood have been proven. These include the ability to mitigate the carbon footprint and reduce waste, as well as the use of non-renewable materials. Therefore, wood contributes actively and passively to the preservation of the environment. A tree has the ability to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere and release oxygen simultaneously. Once harvested and transformed for industrial use, wood helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing materials with a higher carbon emission, which also depend on non-renewable raw materials. This is especially relevant given that industry, by consuming approximately 50% of the resources extracted from the planet, is rapidly depleting resources such as lead, copper and zinc, whose extraction is increasingly invasive and requires a greater amount of energy.
In short, building with wood offers a double benefit for the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. On the one hand, the production of 1 m³ of wood generates less CO₂ equivalent than that of concrete or steel. On the other hand, the tree from which the wood is obtained absorbs CO₂ from the environment, storing it within itself and in the soil. For these reasons, wood is the only material with a positive balance in terms of polluting emissions.
MYTH: It is not suitable for seismic zones.
Throughout history, wood has been a fundamental material in construction in various cultures around the world, some standing out for their exceptional skill in its use, which has resulted in structures of great stability and resistance. Evidence of this mastery endures in thousand-year-old and century-old buildings that still stand, even in regions with notable seismic activity, such as Japan and Chile.
With current technological advances, tests have been carried out on wooden structures against simulated seismic movements, confirming the material’s ability to withstand these phenomena in a stable manner.
MITO: Mantenimiento.
Todas las estructuras requieren mantenimiento, independientemente del material utilizado. En climas más tropicales, como la mayoría de los países latinoamericanos, la madera está más expuesta a factores ambientales y microbianos, lo que requiere una atención especial. Afortunadamente, existen recubrimientos diseñados específicamente para proteger la madera de estos elementos.
MYTH: Rustic construction.
In many parts of the world, there is a common misconception that timber construction is primitive and rustic, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Today, thanks to modern construction systems, timber offers the same potential as concrete and steel in terms of construction. One only needs to look at the leading international industry standards to understand that timber deserves far more recognition than it is often given. In addition, we have exemplary international architects, such as Shigeru Ban and Andrew Waugh, who continue to prove that timber can be the material of the 21st century.
MYTH: It is more expensive.
It is true that, compared to other materials, wood construction can be up to 15% more expensive initially. However, when analyzing the entire process, it is revealed that a wooden construction is cheaper overall. This is because, being prefabricated by nature, it reduces construction times by up to 40%. In addition, its lightness implies less need for reinforcements in the foundation, which contributes to savings in construction.
Myth: It is combustible.
It is true that wood is combustible, but its reaction to fire is remarkably stable. Interestingly, it is steel that is the material most susceptible to fire, leading to the fact that, by law, all steel structures must be protected with fireproof elements to delay damage and allow the safe evacuation of occupants. In contrast, wood exhibits a different behaviour thanks to a natural peculiarity: it develops a layer of carbon that acts as a barrier, burning while preserving the integrity of the rest of the material.
Both steel and wood can be protected by coating with plaster elements to delay the spread of fire. Full-scale tests have been carried out on building models, with extraordinary results that have provided security and confidence to developers and authorities to approve their use in construction. Interestingly, during these tests it was identified that metal connections were the most vulnerable points to fire, which led to the conclusion of reinforcing these connections… with more wood!
MYTH: Bad acoustics.
Perspectives vary depending on who you ask. In the United States, current homes comply with government regulations, although they have so far been relatively lenient when it comes to sound insulation. However, with the advancement of CLT in Europe, weaknesses in these construction systems have been identified, which has allowed them to be corrected and the user experience to be greatly improved. Because wood is so light, mass must be added to improve its sound insulation capacity.
MYTH: Durability.
Although there are several examples around the world of timber structures dating back centuries and even millennia, they are quite rare compared to stone monuments such as pyramids and walls, which are abundant. This has led to us not naturally associating wood with durability. However, thanks to new technologies and advances in engineering, we have managed to extend the resistance, strength, rigidity and lifespan of timber structural elements.
Engineered wood and technologies such as GLT and CLT have allowed wood to be reinforced and its dimensions increased, making it possible to construct ever larger buildings. This has led to wood being a viable alternative to steel and concrete, significantly extending the lifespan of structures, which can now last from 50 to over 200 years. This advance puts wood on an equal footing with its traditional competitors.
MYTH: Availability of wood.
Wood, as a forest resource, is potentially infinite if managed properly. Building with wood means working closely with responsible and, above all, certified sources. At a global level, there are organizations that have done an exceptional job in certifying these forests, such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). These entities are responsible for ensuring that forests are exploited sustainably, ensuring that resources are obtained responsibly and replenished immediately, using the appropriate species so as not to disturb the natural balance of the ecosystem.
The joint effort of these certifiers and the sustainable obtaining of wood resources has contributed to the expansion of forest area in regions such as North America and Europe.