The use of timber in construction has seen a resurgence in the last few years as companies seek to offer sustainability and eco-friendly options to customers. The use of engineered wood products adds another dimension to the natural benefits of the wood that make them worth considering for a range of building elements.
Versatility of engineered wood
Engineered wood is highly versatile and this means it can be used in a wide range of ways. Examples such as laminated veneer lumber or LVL can hold surprisingly heavy loads and is able to do so with longer lengths than standard timber can manage. The engineering process removes knots that naturally weaken wood and therefore means it is an excellent option for an open floor plan design. It also works well for curved walls and other architectural features.
While there are some types of engineered wood that are aimed at specific jobs, there are others that are more general purpose. Particle board is an example of something that can be used for jobs as diverse as sheathing or furniture making.
Durability
Because these woods are made using engineering techniques, they are highly durable and very strong. They are made to meet the latest building standards and use heavy duty glues to bond the particles or veneers together. In addition to the durability, these glues make the wood less prone to rot, mould or insect infestation and give it additional waterproofing.
Sustainable Option
Because sustainability is an important factor for many modern building projects, this is something that engineered wood can also offer. When making engineered wood products, wood is used that would normally be wasted or burned. This means that fewer trees are required to create these products that with traditional lumber products and this reduces the environmental impact of these construction products.
Example of EWP Application
One of the most popular applications for engineered wood is for flooring and there is a host of reasons for this. For example:
- Floor stiffness can be increased with joist depth so a 25% increase can result in a 50% improvement in floor stiffness
- Longer spans can be used for load bearing walls
- Glueing added stiffness to the flooring by up to 70%
Using engineered wood for flooring means that the floor will not shrink, twist or bow as it can do with normal timber products. This makes for accurate product sizes and no waste or shrinkage once it is in place. The stiffer floors also mean less noise between levels of the property.
The use of engineered wood products adds a host of benefits to any number of construction projects that can improve quality and efficiency of the building. The environmentally sustainable qualities of the wood fulfil requirements for this kind of benefit from the modern property without sacrificing durability and versatility. And these different wood products have such a diverse number of applications that they can be used in everything from structural work to the creation of furniture within a property.