The wood from the trees: Timber a route to low-carbon construction

Timber, as a low-carbon construction material, presents a compelling opportunity to rapidly increase housing supply while at the same time taking action on climate change targets

Timber houses are 30% faster to build than those of traditional bricks and mortar. Yet, less than a quarter of homes built here are of timber frame construction. Picture: iStock

A drive is underway to increase the use of timber in the construction industry, both as a means of speeding up our supply of new homes and creating more carbon storage.

Timber houses are 30% faster to build than those of traditional bricks and mortar. Yet, less than a quarter of homes built here are of timber frame construction, about half of the rate in the rest of the developed world.

Another advantage of timber is that it can be repurposed and recycled at the end of a building’s lifespan. It can also be reused repeatedly in short-lived projects, as illustrated by the experience of GP Wood, a company with sawmills in Enniskeane and Lissarda, Co Cork.

The company’s home-grown, Irish Douglas fir timber was used in the construction of part of the Irish Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo, in Osaka, Japan.

The same timber is now being repurposed in a new, main entrance gate at the International Horticultural Expo, a major trade show, also in Japan, next year. The gate’s exteriors will reuse 1,000 pieces of the timber, preserving its original form as much as possible.

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB

GP Wood sales manager, Michael O’Regan, commented: “From a circular economy perspective, every cubic metre of timber used in long-life construction keeps valuable natural materials in use for decades and creates opportunities for reuse and recycling at the end of a building's life.’’ 

According to Forest Industries Ireland, our construction and built environment sector accounts for around 37% of total greenhouse gas emissions, a figure signaling a need for major change.

Dual challenge

In an effort to maximise timber use, especially that grown here, the Government set up the Timber In Construction Steering Group which reported recently.

Prof Owen Lewis, who chaired the group, said the construction sector is now at a pivotal juncture and is facing a dual challenge — the need to rapidly increase housing supply while at the same time taking action to meet climate change targets.

“Timber, as a low-carbon construction material, presents a compelling opportunity to address both challenges,’’ he emphasised.

Not enough timber has been used up to now, despite it being a low-carbon material. Also needed are a reform of building regulations and investment in necessary education and skills.

Potential to create a new timber economy in Ireland has been highlighted by Prof Michael Morris, of the Amber Research Centre, TCD.

Today, we export around 80% of our home-grown timber, to be used in construction overseas, but that timber could be put to better use in the building of hundreds of thousands of new homes that are needed here now, he maintains.