Wood – The Building Material of the Future

General information about building with wood

• Why should I use wood for my construction projects?

  Wood is a sustainable, renewable resource that stores co₂ and provides a warm, welcoming aesthetic. It is lightweight yet strong, facilitating and accelerating the construction process.

  Longevity of wood

• What is glulam (BSH)?

  Glulam is an industrially manufactured product for load-bearing structures. It consists of several (at least three) layers of wood glued together in parallel. Glulam is highly dimensionally stable and meets high surface quality standards. This technology allows for larger spans and higher load capacities compared to solid wood.

• What are the advantages of wood compared to other materials?

  Wood is lighter than concrete and steel but offers high load capacity and design flexibility. It is also environmentally friendly and provides excellent thermal and sound insulation.

• Is building with wood really expensive?

  The initial investment costs for timber construction are often comparable to conventional buildings. However, when considering the entire lifecycle (LCA) of the building, the advantages become evident: shorter construction times, more space through slim designs, and positive health impacts for occupants. Moreover, wood is a natural, healthy, and sustainable material that offers long-term value through its reuse and circular potential.

  Learn more about sustainability and lifecycle analysis (LCA).

• What is timber hybrid construction?

  Timber hybrid construction combines the strengths of wood, concrete, and steel in multi-story buildings. Wood is used as a sustainable material and load-bearing element, while concrete is employed for foundations, staircases, elevator shafts, and concrete slabs. This resource-efficient approach enables the optimal combination of concrete and timber for residential and commercial buildings

• How does wood compare to other materials in hall construction?

  Timber structures offer ideal conditions for large spans with their low weight and high strength. They have smooth surfaces resistant to pollutants like salt air. Despite being combustible, they maintain long load-bearing capacity in fire situations. Steel structures provide high strength with minimal dimensions but require increased maintenance in salty or humid environments to prevent corrosion. Concrete-steel structures combine the strengths of steel and concrete but are heavier, which limits their use in large spans unless using prestressed concrete.

  Every material has specific pros and cons, requiring careful consideration based on weight, span, fire resistance, and environmental conditions.

Planning and Design

• What support does LIGNA systems offer for planning and construction?

  Depending on your needs, we provide either comprehensive solutions through our specially developed system construction method or support our local construction partners by advising on client management. We help you find the ideal regional construction partner to accompany you throughout the project, offering advice and managing the assembly of the hall with LIGNA systems timber structures until completion.

  From the concept phase to installation, you can rely on the expertise of our engineering office for your planning and execution needs. We offer comprehensive consulting services, including structural calculations, digital BIM modeling, and technical documentation.

  Learn more about the project phases here.

• What does BIM – Building Information Modeling mean?

  Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an intelligent, 3D model-based process that provides architects, engineers, and contractors with tools and information for the efficient planning, design, construction, and management of buildings and infrastructure.

  LIGNA systems plans and designs every project in 3D from the outset and can provide all construction stakeholders with the corresponding 3D model at any time. Through visual control (WYSIWYG), difficulties or collisions are detected early, and potential errors are minimized. Each component can be seamlessly tracked from planning to installation.

• What should I consider when building timber halls with large spans?

  When planning and constructing roof structures for wide-span timber buildings, it is crucial to understand the properties of materials, building physics, and static relationships. This includes accounting for all loads acting on the structure, such as snow and wind.

• Can I build multi-story buildings from wood? Are there restrictions?

  Yes, constructing multi-story buildings from wood is generally possible. Legal frameworks for using wood in high-rise buildings have been largely harmonized in many countries. There is a clear political will to promote sustainable and climate-positive construction methods. For specific information on the current regulations in your country, our representatives are happy to assist you.

Technical details and standards

• How fire-safe are timber structures?

  Wood burns in a controlled manner, forming a protective char layer that maintains structural integrity. It complies with current fire safety regulations and offers excellent security.

• What environmental certifications does LIGNA systems have for its timber structures?

  Our timber structures are all FSC® CERTIFIED.
  FSC® stands for “Forest Stewardship Council®” and is the world’s most trusted label for sustainable forestry. FSC-certified wood comes from responsibly managed forests.

  LIGNA systems is also a DGNB MEMBER – Europe’s largest network for sustainable construction.
  The DGNB system provides manufacturers with a criteria catalog that outlines how building products impact the sustainability of an overall project. Products can then be specifically developed and optimized with sustainability in mind. The focus is on evaluating the entire lifecycle and ensuring the long-term quality of construction products.

  Learn more about our sustainability efforts in the Sustainability section.

• Can load-bearing capacity be affected by climatic factors, and how can I prevent this?

  Every structure is at risk from water, as prolonged moisture weakens materials like wood and can lead to fungal decay. Steel components rust, and the reinforcement steel in concrete is prone to corrosion. Effective structural protection is needed to keep water out, and regular maintenance is essential to ensure roofs and walls remain intact.

  Frost has similar effects to water, as penetrating water can freeze in cracks, causing materials like concrete to break or wood to split. It is crucial to design structures that prevent moisture intrusion.

  Heat within normal ranges does not significantly affect construction materials, but steel or reinforced concrete lose their strength rapidly at very high temperatures of around 500 degrees Celsius and can collapse. In the event of a fire, timber structures demonstrate their strengths: the outer charred layer acts as insulation, protecting the inner, load-bearing core of the structure.
  Learn more about the durability of timber constructions.

Logistics and Installation

• How are the structures delivered?

  We deliver just-in-time, in assembly sequence, directly to the construction site. Our logistics experts ensure smooth delivery.

• How long does the installation of timber structures take?

  The installation time varies depending on the project scope, but it is typically faster than conventional building materials.

  Construction times of 4–12 weeks (from the alignment of the anchors) are common.

Maintenance and Lifespan

• How do I maintain and care for timber structures?

  Regular inspections and protection against moisture are crucial. We are happy to advise you on maintaining timber structures.

• How long do timber structures last?

  With proper care and maintenance, timber structures can last for decades, if not centuries. When kept dry, their lifespan is virtually unlimited.

  Learn more about the durability of wood in our information sheet.