Choosing to build with timber offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond aesthetics. From its sustainability as a renewable resource to its structural versatility, building with timber is a smart and responsible choice. Mid-Atlantic Timberframes explains five benefits of building with timber.

Sustainability and Environmental Benefits

Timber framing offers a multitude of sustainability and environmental benefits, making it an eco-friendly choice for construction. One key advantage is its renewability; timber comes from responsibly managed forests, where new trees are planted to replace those harvested. This process ensures a continuous supply of building material without depleting natural resources. Additionally, timber acts as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon dioxide throughout its lifecycle, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Aesthetic Appeal and Design Versatility

Timber framing offers unparalleled aesthetic appeal and design versatility, making it a popular choice for architectural enthusiasts and designers alike. The natural beauty of exposed timber beams and posts imparts a timeless charm and warmth to any space. The organic textures and grains of the wood create a sense of authenticity, bringing a touch of nature indoors and creating a comforting ambiance.

Biophilia

Timber framing aligns perfectly with the biophilic design principles, harnessing the innate human connection with nature to create harmonious and health-promoting spaces. Biophilia recognizes the profound psychological and physiological benefits of incorporating natural elements into the built environment. Timber, as a natural material, embodies biophilia’s essence by bringing the outdoors inside.

Structural Strength and Durability

The inherent strength of wood, especially when using high-quality hardwoods or engineered timber products, allows timber frame structures to withstand significant loads and stresses. Timber’s excellent load-bearing capacity makes it suitable for both small residential dwellings and large commercial buildings. Additionally, timber possesses a natural ability to flex and distribute loads, enabling it to endure seismic movements and extreme weather conditions.

Energy Efficiency and Insulation

Timber framing excels in energy efficiency and insulation, offering significant advantages for eco-conscious builders and occupants alike. The natural insulating properties of wood create a thermal barrier, reducing heat transfer and energy consumption. Timber frame structures boast excellent thermal performance, maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the year.

Customization and Personalization

From the initial planning stages, timber frame structures can be tailored to suit specific needs and preferences. Clients can collaborate with architects and designers to create custom floor plans that reflect their lifestyle and optimize the use of space. The open concept of timber frame construction provides the flexibility to accommodate various interior layouts, ensuring each room serves its intended purpose seamlessly. RB

Mid-Atlantic Timberframes (matfllc.com) is a timber manufacturer located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. MATF crafts heavy and mass timber, designs timber frames, and builds timber frame structures for a variety of projects, including commercial and municipal buildings, high-end custom homes, and equestrian facilities. As an authority on timber manufacturing, Mid-Atlantic Timberframes lends the expertise of third-generation woodworkers and craftspeople, designers, CNC machine operators, and timber framers to client projects, industry education gatherings, and trade association collaborations.

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5 Codes and Standards in Building With Timber

Build more efficiently and sustainably with off-site fabrication

The building and construction industry continues to face stringent decarbonization policies and unpredictable scheduling disruptions. Timber framing provides a solution that supports sustainability while using off-site fabrication to reduce construction times. Although the popularity of both commercial and residential timber construction continues to rise, understanding the unique building requirements surrounding the material can be a complex challenge. Mid-Atlantic Timberframes, manufacturers of heavy and mass timber structural framing, shares five codes and regulations builders should know before approaching a timber frame project.  

International Building Code (IBC): Guided by the International Code Council, IBC regulations provide specific building allowances and fire safety requirements for the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT), heavy timber, mass timber, and tall mass timber construction including the application of energy, sound transmission, and structural loads. The 2021 IBC guidelines provided allowances for fire resistance in timber buildings based on structural height: 18 stories, 12 stories, and 9 stories. In their 2024 update, the codes reflect new allowances for exposed timber walls and ceilings. 

American Wood Council (AWC) Standards: The AWC publishes standards and guidelines for wood construction in buildings. Its specifications help calculate the structural capacities of heavy timber.

Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^® C164575) Certification: The FSC^® (FSC^® C164575) is an international, nongovernmental organization that promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Partnering with an FSC^®-certified timber supplier can help to enhance the environmental qualities of a project and can contribute to LEED points.   

Local Building Codes: Local building codes may adopt specific provisions related to heavy timber construction. Additionally, local building officials and authorities having jurisdiction play a crucial role in interpreting and enforcing these codes based on regional variations and specific project conditions. Engage with local officials as early in the building design process as possible.

National Fire Protection Association^® (NFPA) Standards: NFPA standards require fire resistance and noncombustible protection unique to timber construction in relation to building height. This includes the protection of shafts, exterior walls, concealed spaces, and connections with noncombustible materials.

As codes and regulations continue to evolve around mass timber, heavy timber, and timber framing, it is important that all involved parties stay informed.