To help advance the reuse of timber in construction in the UK, a group of academics and practitioners have created a survey.
As the UK transitions toward a net-zero economy, attention in the construction sector is shifting from simply using low-carbon materials, to ensuring that carbon remains stored in the built environment for as long as possible.
One key strategy to achieve this is the reuse of timber, especially through cascading uses that extend its life across different applications, and through designing for future disassembly and reuse.
Timber naturally stores carbon absorbed during a tree’s growth. When used in buildings, this carbon remains locked away, often for decades. However, when buildings reach end-of-life or undergo refurbishment, the carbon value of that timber can either be preserved – or lost. Reusing timber elements, either in part, or in whole, can help ensure that the carbon will remain locked away for as long as possible.
This practice contributes directly to circular economy goals, reducing reliance on new timber and avoiding the majority of emissions associated with harvesting, processing, and transport. Some studies have shown that reclaimed wood can have a significantly lower carbon footprint than both virgin timber and conventional alternatives like concrete or steel.
Placing greater emphasis on reuse – by keeping a construction product in its original form for as long as possible, or when no longer appropriate, transforming this timber product for another built environment use – also helps support timber security, and can help ease pressure on forests to keep up with demand.
Achieving this balance will be important, particularly with demand for forest products projected to continue to grow.
