The wooden houses are one of the most ecological alternatives in the world of modern construction. Wood is an element renewable and its use in construction not only has a positive impact on the environment, but also offers natural thermal insulation, which leads to lower energy consumption. Increasingly, building with wood is not only an architectural trend but a necessity to reduce the carbon footprint.
Properties and benefits of wooden houses
Wood is a material with a large number of advantages from the point of view of sustainability and energy efficiencyIts intrinsic properties make it an excellent natural thermal insulator, making it ideal for home construction.
One of its main features is the energy insulation. Wooden structures behave as buffers of thermal change, that is, they retain heat in winter and expel it in summer, which significantly reduces heating or air conditioning consumptionIn fact, this material is up to 6 times more efficient in terms of insulation than brick, 15 times more than concrete and 400 times more than steel.
In addition, wood has a property known as thermal resilience, which means that it responds efficiently to temperature changes. On an acoustic level, it also acts as a natural barrier against noise, providing comfort in the home.
Another advantage is that wooden houses, under proper maintenance conditions, They can have a very long shelf lifeThere are examples in northern Europe where we find wooden constructions that date back more than 200 years. To this we must add that wood, although it is combustible, has a very different behaviour to other materials in the event of a fire, by not emitting toxic gases and allow more time to evacuate the building.
The use of fireproof treatments It is essential to retard combustion. Currently, the treatments available on the market are not only easy to apply, but are also affordable, allowing wooden houses to be just as safe as those made from other materials.
Durability and maintenance of wooden houses
Although there is a myth that wooden houses have a lower durability than other constructions, the reality is that with good maintenance they can last as long as concrete or brick houses. The keys to keeping a wooden house in optimal condition are to carry out a periodic maintenance and apply treatments that protect the wood from the effects of the weather and insects, such as termites.
The development of stains It has revolutionised the sector, allowing wooden houses to only need inspections every 4 or 5 years, depending on the weather, similar to the care that a conventional construction would require.
The incorporation of insulating materials in the structures is another of the requirements of the Technical Building Code (CTE). It requires that the walls have a minimum thickness of 140 mm, which guarantees a more efficient thermal insulation and, therefore, lower energy expenditure.
Ecological and bioclimatic construction
To make a wooden house more ecological, it is not enough to use a renewable material such as wood. It is essential to apply the principles of bioclimatic architecture. This involves considering factors such as orientation of the house, the crossed ventilation, the use of renewable energy and passive strategies for air conditioning.
One of the great advantages of wooden houses is that they are dry constructions. That is, they do not require a large consumption of water during the construction process. The connections between the pieces of wood are made using nails and screws, which speeds up the construction process and also reduces the use of heavy machinery and, therefore, carbon dioxide emissions.
As for the foundation, reinforced concrete is usually used, which gives the structure greater strength and durability. On this base, the wooden structure is erected, which in many cases can be prefabricated, which significantly reduces waste on site.
Advantages and disadvantages of wooden houses
Below is a summary of the main advantages and disadvantages of wooden houses:
- Advantages:
- Renewability of the material.
- Natural thermal and acoustic insulation.
- Speed of construction.
- Lower environmental impact and carbon footprint.
- Relatively easy maintenance with current technology.
- Disadvantages:
- Requires regular maintenance.
- Presence of insects such as termites without good preventive treatment.
- Greater vulnerability to moisture if not properly maintained.
Final thoughts on sustainability
The use of wood in construction not only has direct benefits for the comfort of the inhabitants, but also implies a decisive commitment to the combating climate changeWood is a material that traps CO2 during its growth, and its use in construction means that this carbon will remain “captured” for decades.
Furthermore, most of today's companies that work with wood source their products from sustainably managed forests, meaning that for every tree cut down, several more are planted. In this way, building with wood does not promote deforestation, but rather encourages reforestation and the care of ecosystems.
For owners looking for a ecological alternativeChoosing a wooden house not only implies a lower environmental impact during construction, but also provides a more energy-efficient home over time, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and improving the quality of life of its occupants.
For all these reasons, wooden houses are not just an architectural trend, but a responsible and efficient solution that contributes to sustainability and well-being.