Timber Structures

Timber structures offer a number of advantages. The first is that typically timber
constructions are quicker to erect than steel ones with reduced labour required to do so.
This quicker erection means that timber structures can be built in shorter good-weather
periods whilst the reduced labour can lead to significant cost savings. Another
advantage of timber structures is that they can offer a lower impact on energy
consumption, especially if constructed using locally sourced timber.

Further advantages include the fact that timber structures are more energy efficient
when constructed and allow faster heating due to a low thermal mass. Research also
shows that timber structures allow for more flexibility of movement, making them safer
in low impact earthquakes.
However timber structures also have a number of disadvantages. The first is that to
ensure enough timber for construction, there is a negative impact on the environment
through logging. If the timber is not locally sourced, there may be a greater carbon
footprint on it due to transportation too, which can also effect the environment. Timber
structures can also require additional design and engineering time as well as more
quality control as timber can contain natural imperfections. Another disadvantage of
timber structures to that they have a greater chance of combustibility and may be
subject to decay when exposure to the elements.

Steel Structures
Steel structures also offer a number of advantages. Firstly steel offers a longer life span
than timber, making it more cost effective in the long run as fewer repairs are likely to
be required. Secondly, steel is more durable than timber, reducing the risk of warping or
distortion as well as no potential for bug infestation which can hamper the durability of
timber. Another advantage of steel is that it offers less impact on the natural
environment as it does not use trees. As steel is man-made it is also usually more
readily available in the western world which reduces transportation emissions. Finally,

steel structures can be designed to withstand several weather extremes such as

hurricanes and earthquakes.

Steel structures also have a number of

disadvantages too. The first is that it is relatively more expensive to buy than timber
due to the construction method involved. The manufacturing process of steel also
means that it uses a lot of energy to produce. Steel construction takes longer than
timber construction which can lead to more labour hours required and therefore more
construction costs. Steel structures are also harder to insulate as the steel offers no
insulation which means additional insulation methods are required, again increasing the
costs involved. With a myriad of advantages and disadvantages of both construction
methods, the decision to use timber or steel will depend on the end use of the building
and the budget available