Wood Advantages

Building materials are selected based on a number of factors in addition to durability

including, but not limited to, cost, availability, ease of construction, thermal performance,
and aesthetics. Wood performs equally or better compared with other building materials
in all of these categories. As with all materials, wood is susceptible to deterioration under
specific adverse conditions. However, with proper design detailing, good construction
techniques and adequate building maintenance, wood structures can be expected to last
an exceedingly long time. Wood has been used as a durable building material for
thousands of years and the historic wood buildings still standing today are a testament to
that. For more information on Woods Heritage !lic" here.
For buildings where longevity is important, many designers dont consider wood # it is
commonly assumed that wood structures have shorter service lives than buildings made
of other materials. $ur survey data shows that to be incorrect. !lic" here for a study of
demolished buildings showing that structural material isnt a factor in service life. %n fact,
the wood buildings in our demolition survey lasted longer than the others.
%n addition, there are many specific applications where the natural durability properties of
wood ma"e it the material of choice.
Wood is resistant to some of the chemicals destructive to steel and concrete. For
example, wood is often the material of choice when exposed to& organic
compounds, hot or cold solutions of acids or neutral salts, dilute acids, industrial
stac" gases, sea air and high relative humidity. Because of its resistance to
chemicals wood is often used in the following applications&
o 'otash storage buildings
o (alt storage domes
o !ooling towers
o %ndustrial tan"s for various types of chemicals
With thoughtful design and careful wor"manship wood bridges prove to be
remar"ably durable. )hroughout the world, there are numerous examples of long
lasting wooden bridges # both historic and modern. *odern bridge dec"s are
sub+ected to relentless attac" of de#icing chemicals, and wood is gaining
acceptance as a viable option for these applications.
'ilings that are constantly submerged in fresh water have been "nown to last for
centuries. Foundation piles under structures will not decay if the water table
remains higher than the pile tops. *any of the worlds important structures are
built on wood piles including much of the city of ,enice and the -mpire (tate
Building in .ew /or".