Discussing Timber Myths

Despite the many advantages of building with timber, the mass adoption of timber as a building material is evolving at a rather slow rate. This is due in part to the many misconceptions about building with timber, or common “timber myths”. AMS Institute's newly published booklet ‘Discussing Timber Myths’ dispels the most common of these myths. It simultaneously opens discussions around contested topics such as fire safety of timber construction, wood availability, and forestry best practices.

Why is a shift towards timber construction necessary?

Traditional building materials like concrete, steel, and brick continue to dominate the construction industry, despite their detrimental impact on our climate and environment. However, climate change, material scarcity, and the housing shortage demand the adoption of alternative building materials and technologies that drastically minimize environmental harm caused by the building sector. Building with timber is a suitable alternative: timber can be prefabricated, it provides a healthy indoor climate, causes lower CO2 and nitrogen emissions—rather, it stores carbon—and facilitates circularity and renewability.

AUTHORS: AMS Institute, Pablo van der Lugt, Irene Luque Martin, Joke Dufourmont

DATE: June 2023