Alternatives to Wood in Construction

Wood is a material which is used extensively in construction. It is a durable and plentiful material which is easy to use and can be cut into various lengths and sizes. Wood also provides a number of benefits including:

• Thermal elasticity from temperature changes
• Acoustic properties via sound isolation
• Resistance from electrical charges and oxidation
• Is easy to repair and maintain

While these properties make wood perfect for many different construction applications, such as for the framing of most residential housing, it can also pose a number of structural disadvantages which may affect its use in construction. Wood is known to shrink, swell and deteriorate under certain conditions, as well as produce biological diseases and fungi if not properly treated. Wood is also prone to the elements, including damage from moisture and insects such as termites.

Thankfully there are a number of different alternatives to wood, which not only present a number of alternative strengths, however also mitigate some of the shortcomings that wood may provide.