{"id":11080,"date":"2022-07-19T10:02:09","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T15:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imegcorp.com\/?p=11080"},"modified":"2023-04-06T14:38:46","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T19:38:46","slug":"environmental-advantages-lead-benefit-of-mass-timber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imegcorp.com\/insights\/blog\/environmental-advantages-lead-benefit-of-mass-timber\/","title":{"rendered":"Environmental advantages are the leading benefits of mass timber construction"},"content":{"rendered":"
Third in a series based on the IMEG executive guide, <\/span><\/i>\u201cMass Timber 101: A Guide to the Hottest Sustainable Building Material.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By Heather Heidenreich<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mass timber, comprised of multiple solid wood panels nailed or glued together, is an exceptionally strong and stable building material that boasts safety benefits for fire protection. But it\u2019s also attractive to many architects and owners because it is a renewable resource with a low environmental impact, and it can create a warm and inviting aesthetic when left exposed. This also means fewer finishes are required in a building \u2013 a cost-saving benefit to owners.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The biggest benefit of mass timber construction comes from its environmental advantages, which include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Though this sustainable forestry cycle shows a promising outlook for mass timber construction, it\u2019s important to realize the other environmental factors involved in the entire manufacturing and building process. Yes, mass timber is a renewable resource, but the production process does emit carbon dioxide, as it takes energy to cut down forests, manufacture the raw materials into lumber ready for building, and transport these materials to the site. However, when compared to other building materials, mass timber still results in lower overall carbon emissions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are some limiting factors to using mass timber \u2013 fire ratings requiring the wood materials to be covered; closer grid spacing; the need for a concrete topping on the floor panels (and potentially still requiring steel or concrete for the lateral systems); and deforestation concerns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite these limitations, mass timber continues to be a cost-effective and sustainable choice. As more owners, designers, and contractors understand mass timber\u2019s contributions toward sustainable goals, its use will continue to expand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Also in this series: <\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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