by Paula Thompson, Technical Commercial Manager at Fleming Timber Structures
Statistics indicate that Scotland is leading the UK in timber frame construction. With approximately 80% of new homes in Scotland built using timber frame, a similar trend may emerge in non-domestic buildings, namely education and healthcare projects.
Using timber in non-domestic buildings in Scotland has seen a significant evolution, particularly in terms of sustainable and technological advancements. A key part of the boom within the domestic sector, these advancements will likely spur growth in timber use across the construction industry over the next few years.
Pressure is on the UK to reach environmental targets, with recent initiatives such as the Timber Development UK government’s Net Zero Roadmap, highlighting the importance of timber in achieving sustainability goals. This roadmap outlines a strategy for the timber industry to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It emphasises improving manufacturer production and distribution efficiency, encouraging the use of electric vehicles to transport finished products and movement of materials within the factory setting.
Increased timber use not only aids in achieving these net-zero targets but also supports the government’s sustainable development goals. As the industry implements the steps outlined in the Net Zero Roadmap, timber is well-situated to become a significant component of eco-friendly construction practice.
Timber also offers several benefits over traditional materials such as steel and concrete. Under correct management, it can provide a renewable material supply without depleting natural reserves, and with a lower embodied energy compared to steel and concrete, timber requires less energy to produce, contributing to lower overall carbon emissions.
In addition, timber sequesters carbon during its growth and when used in buildings, it stores carbon for the long term. This carbon sequestration is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the wider construction industry.
Over the past decade, innovations and advancements in timber technology have been significant. Engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam beams, and open web joists have increased the possibilities for timber in construction, allowing for greater spans, enhanced strength, and increased architectural flexibility.
As a lightweight material, timber reduces the need for heavy foundations, while its natural insulating properties can also lead to energy savings. Timber construction can be faster and safer due to lending itself to prefabrication and offsite construction methods while maintaining quality of construction.
Timber’s current trajectory in Scotland’s non-domestic buildings is also promising, with its technological advancements and benefits over traditional materials positioning it as a key player in sustainable construction and net-zero initiatives.
Finally, timber also looks fantastic. The aesthetic of mass timber, with glulam or CLT often being the main architectural focus of a build. In my opinion, it always pays off.
