The advantage of timber frame housing in respect of embodied carbon is marginal

iCon timber frame in Daventry

I read with interest last week鈥檚 article (18 May, page 10) and the 鈥樷�減resumption in favour of using wood鈥� because of its advantages in terms of embodied energy鈥� that has been created by the London Borough.

I would like to draw attention to the report published by NHBC Foundation in October 2011 - Operational and embodied carbon in new build housing: A reappraisal. Based on modelling undertaken by BRE, no significant differences emerged between masonry and timber construction in terms of overall CO2 impact over the 60- and 120-year study periods. The largest difference observed between comparable masonry and timber constructions was 4%. This is because, for low-rise housing, other than the walls, the majority of building elements were similar in both masonry and timber constructions.

All forms of construction have their own advantages but this report would suggest that the advantage of timber frame housing in respect of embodied carbon is marginal.

Neil Smith, research manager, NHBC Foundation

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