More energy can be produced from the remnants of timber products than is required to produce the timber products themselves. This is why we are justified in defining timber as a “plus-energy” product. With this benefit, it is clear that timber can outperform any other comparable building material. To some extent, this can be attributed to the fact that timber is a lightweight product with an extraordinary strength and stability. Further to that, the cellular structure of timber serves as a natural insulator by trapping air in its cell walls. Consequently, timber buildings need far less energy than steel and concrete buildings. As the moisture content in timber buildings is balanced naturally, the climate in timber buildings is also very healthy and comfortable.
As a result from these advantages it seems logical that timber is utilised increasingly as a very attractive and energy-efficient building material.