How Does Timber Help Achieve Bioclimatic Design?
As sustainability takes centre stage on how we live our lives, the way people build their homes is changing more than ever. One new way of building is called bioclimatic design. This type of design helps make buildings more eco-friendly by working with nature, not against it. In this article, we’ll explain timber’s vital role in bioclimatic design and why it stands out for energy-saving, environmentally friendly buildings.
At NORclad, we have over 40 years of experience in timber cladding. We offer eco-friendly, certified timber that helps buildings save energy and blend with nature. Our products improve insulation and work well for green architecture. In this blog we’ll discuss what bioclimatic design is, and how timber cladding helps to achieve it.
To find out how we can help with your project, contact us today.
What is Bioclimatic Design?
Bioclimatic design is a method of building that makes use of a building’s local weather and environment. Instead of using electricity for heating and cooling, buildings make the most of natural resources, such as the sun, wind, and shade.
One of the main ideas in bioclimatic design is using ‘passive systems’. These are sustainable systems that don’t use extra energy. For example, the heat from the sun can be used to warm up a building in the winter, and the wind can help cool it down in the summer.
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How Does Timber Cladding Help Achieve a Bioclimatic Design?
Timber is a natural insulator, which means it keeps heat from passing through easily. So, when timber cladding is added to the outside of a building, it adds an extra layer of protection. This helps keep the inside of the building warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, reducing need for heating and air conditioning.
Bioclimatic design also focuses on using natural ventilation, which means allowing fresh air to flow through the building to keep it cool. Timber helps make this easier by freeing designers to include features like large windows, sliding doors, and walls that let air flow freely. Plus, some types of timber can even help manage the humidity in the air. Woods such as cedar, oak and pine absorb extra moisture when the air is humid and release it when it is dry.
During a construction project, heavy materials like steel take up a lot of resources to move and put in place. Due to its lighter weight, timber takes much less energy to build with than heavier materials, which helps reduce the overall environmental impact of a building project. Timber also comes from renewable sources and can be grown again, making it eco-friendly.
How Timber Helps Buildings Blend into Their Surroundings
In bioclimatic design, blending a building into nature is important, and timber is the perfect material to do this. Its natural look and ability to age with the environment make it a top choice for eco-friendly buildings that are built to connect with the world around them.
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Timber’s warm, natural colours, like browns and tans, match the look of the land, whether in a forest, near mountains, or on open fields. The texture and grain of the wood also resemble patterns found in nature, helping the building feel connected to its surroundings. With time, timber changes as it’s exposed to the weather, like rain and sunlight. This gives the wood a natural, weathered look that helps it blend in even more with the landscape around it.
Timber and Passive Solar Design
A major part of bioclimatic design is passive solar design, which means using the sun’s energy to help heat and cool a building. Timber can help with this because it doesn’t let heat pass through easily. In the winter, timber cladding and frames help trap the heat from the sun inside the building, so the inside stays warm without needing extra heating. In the summer, timber can help block out too much sunlight, keeping the building cool.
Timber also allows architects to add shading elements, like overhangs and louvres. These are important features in passive solar design because they control how much sunlight enters the building. In the summer, when the sun is high, the shading elements block its rays into the building to keep it cool. In the winter, when the sun is lower, the shading elements let sunlight through to warm up the building.
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Harness the Power of Timber for Bioclimatic Success with NORclad
Timber is one of the best materials for making buildings energy-efficient and beautiful. It helps keep buildings warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing the need for expensive systems. Timber also supports passive solar design, which uses the sun’s energy to heat and cool buildings naturally. Further, wood doesn’t just help with insulation—it also helps buildings blend in with nature and look more attractive. It creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that can help people feel more relaxed, boosting their health.
Want to learn how you can upgrade your building’s materials? At NORclad, we offer eco-friendly timber that saves energy and looks great. If you’re ready to start your project, contact us today and we’ll help make it happen.
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