Many new building products and systems are developed every year; but which ones are best for building in timber?
A recent FWPA funded project (FWPA also fund WoodSolutions) reviewed and rated over 40 emerging technologies relevant to timber residential construction from North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
The new technologies that scored highest include: structural floor/wall/roof timber systems; improved wood that is dimensionally stable with improved durability in terms of weather, fungal and termite resistance; and building information modelling (BIM) systems where 3D designs are linked to building costs and production information, as well as strategically setting out the site during construction.
The report recommends high-scoring new technologies be given special consideration for future research and development, dependent on industry support. In addition, the report advises Australian industry to build active liaisons with timber related institutions and companies overseas, finding state-of-the-art timber construction technologies more quickly and reducing overlap and waste in the research and development process.
