Timber offers a range of environmental benefits as a construction material. Good design practice ensures that timber's thermal and energy-efficient properties are maximised.
The following resources offer some guidelines and information regarding environmental considerations and timber design and construction:
Environmental benefits of building with timber - construction design can contribute greatly to maximising comfort and to minimising non-renewable energy consumption. Timber frame buildings are now being designed to meet low energy construction standards, as timber has a high standard of thermal comfort while consuming minimal non-renewable energy.
Environmental timber housing - environmentally friendly housing design principles using traditional timber construction aid informed decision making by designers, architects, builders, developers, home buyers and building authorities.
Thermal and energy efficiency - timber is a very energy efficient building material. Its low thermal conductivity minimises the potential for thermal bridging, which makes timber a great material for energy efficient designs.