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History of wood used as architectural material

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History of wood used as architectural material

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Pros

Excellent thermal and electrical isolator

Sound absorption

Renewable

Cons

Tends to catch fire

Splitting and Cracking

Rotting issues

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Wood has been one of the most popular building materials ever since the dawn of civilization. Unlike the Colosseum, the numerous grandioso gothic cathedrals, and the gorgeous roads of ancient Rome, wood hasn't survived much throughout the centuries.

That doesn't mean that some gorgeous buildings were not constructed using this material. While the later civilization has found out that wood is best used as an accessory or a side building material, the internal infrastructure of many gorgeous buildings is still furnished with wood.

You're rarely going to go to the woods and find a brick-and-mortar house, but you're much more likely going to stumble upon a log cabin. That is the cultural significance of wood put into play. It has been our choice material for connecting with nature and establishing a natural, in-tune, even primal connection with our surroundings.

Wood As A Construction Material

While wood might be one of the most aesthetically pleasing materials around and is relatively easy to work with, it's not known for its durability. Any single wood structure throughout history that has survived to this day was subject to numerous restorations, refurbishments, and complete renovation.

One such example is the historically significant neolithic longhouse. As the name suggests, this form of the building was popular back in the neolithic era of humanity. It has quite a lot of historical, architectural, and building significance.

The houses were constructed 4-5 thousand years ago, and the excavations in Oslonki, Poland, have revealed their existence. It begs the question of exactly how long wood was a primary construction material for humanity. The answer is quite simple. Even to this day, different wood structures are constructed, refurbished, and well kept.

Modern wood construction has evolved to such a degree that traditional issues with wooden structures have pretty much evaporated. Twisted wood, splitting, and general degradation have been prolonged as much as possible.

On the other hand, wood has quite a lot of different virtues associated with its capabilities as a building material. It has quite a lot of thermal isolation properties, making it one of the greatest isolators of the past.

Its properties are all that a medieval construction worker needed to construct a homey, natural, and comfortable household. Wood is also incredibly available since it grows on trees. It can be harvested and refined without much effort.

Its material properties are also very acoustic, meaning that it has been the favorite interior building material for any place that requires pristine acoustics, such as the awe-inspiring Wooden Churches of Maramureș.

The Wooden Churches of Maramureș are located in Romania and have stood since the 17th century. Because of their material nature and Romanian tradition of preserving places of worship, these churches have gone through numerous renovations. They've also been introduced into UNESCO as World Heritage Sites for their beauty and historical significance.

The Issues of Wood-Based Architectural Enders

Wood isn't the best material around when it comes to durability, and it should come without question that they have a relatively short lifespan compared to other building materials.

The average life expectancy for a wooden structure is anywhere from 100-150 years, so a lot of essential structures from history have been lost to the times. The issue with this is that the average human lifespan is shorter than woods, meaning that the houses, in most cases, outlive their residents.

That leaves an old, run-down structure to the heirs, which they more often than not opt to demolish instead of the preserve. The preservation and refurbishment of wood are relatively expensive, mining that it's much more cost-effective to demolish the structure simply.

Now, this isn't always the case, as numerous religious places like the aforementioned Wooden Churches of Maramureș were reserved throughout the centuries.

Wood also has one significant issue that we haven't mentioned before, and that's its capability to catch fire. Fire is the arch-enemy of wood, as wood serves as an excellent fuel source for the fire, especially when it's combined with many lacquers and different preservation materials that are applied to it.

Studies show that the world's most famous fire, the great fire of London, has consumed over 13,200 different structures that housed over 80.000 various residents. It's one of the woods' most significant faults put into perspective. The old London towns weren't famous for their wealth of the common man, and issues like this have prompted people to change to a more fire-resistant material.

The church has also learned from the fire, as it has destroyed over 87 parish churches and, most importantly, Old St Paul's Cathedral.

The Pros Of Wood as a Construction Material

● Unmatched availability

● Excellent thermal and electrical isolator

● Tensile strength

● Comparably lightweight

● Sound absorption

● Aesthetically pleasing

● Renewable

● Biodegradable

● Relatively Cheap

The Cons Of Wood as a Construction Material

● Tends to catch fire

● Relatively low life span

● Pest related Issues

● Tends to warp and twist

● Rotting issues

● Splitting and Cracking

The Change from Wood to Other Materials

Since wood has many different issues when it comes to construction, it has been surpassed by baked in bricks and clay. The combustibility and the relatively low durability of this material mean that it has been replaced by other building materials when they've become cheaper, more available, and easier to work with.

Humans have always been aware that wood is a structurally inferior building material compared to say, stone, but the sheer availability and the cheap price tag placed on the content has made it so that numerous structures have been made out of it.

More high-end homes, structures, and churches from the past have been constructed from stone, and an amount of them is present to this day. Stone was a status symbol, and so was wood. Wood did have some fundamental properties backing it, so it has always been a valuable material.

If houses themselves weren't constructed out of wood, you're likely going to find facades, furniture, and interiors designed out of wood. The situation remains to this day, as most floors, furniture, and frames are created from wood.

The main thing that dictates the use of materials within structures is the trend behind them. While wood was in the limelight for a long time, it has since fallen out of fashion. It seems to be re-emerging to an extent.

Conclusion

Wood has always been one of the primary building materials that humanity has used to construct the elaborate, gorgeous, and historically significant structures of the past, but what does the future hold for this grand material?

There have been numerous speculations, ideas, and implementations of wood as an essential building and construction material in modern times, and the application seems only to grow.

Will this historically significant material make a grand re-emergence into the mainstream? Only the future can tell. Wooden skyscrapers are being imagined as we speak, and even if they're currently in the projection process, we're still waiting to see if that plan comes to fruition.

The historical significance of wood as a building material is virtually unmatched by any other building material, and we're delighted to see its implementation in modern industries.

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A Short History of Wood-Based Architecture from the Past

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Wood has been one of the most popular building materials ever since the dawn of civilization. Unlike the Colosseum, the numerous grandioso gothic cathedrals, and the gorgeous roads of ancient Rome, wood hasn't survived much throughout the centuries. That doesn't mean that some gorgeous buildings were not constructed using this material.

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Pine

Cedar

Cypress

Oak

Spruce

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Most people building a conventional home don't think too much about what it will be constructed of. They worry more about the finishing materials and possibly about things like efficiency. But anyone building a log cabin knows that there are a lot more considerations to be made.

Log cabins can be constructed of many different types and species of wood. There are more than 300 different types of wood in the U.S. alone, but not all of them make the best wood for log cabins. Instead, there are roughly 7 that are used on a regular basis for construction, and of those, only three make the cut for most new builds.

There are a lot of considerations to make when building a log cabin, including the color of the wood, how well it resists insects, how much warping or shrinking it may do as it ages, and how well it holds up long-term.

Not all woods are going to perform the same way, and even in a single wood species, you can have a great deal of variation, depending on where the wood was grown and how old it is. Before you start your log cabin build, make sure you understand the types of woods available so you can make the right choice for your home.

What to Look for in a Wood Material

The key to choosing the right wood can often go far beyond the actual species. While it's a good idea to narrow your search down to the most regularly used woods - cedar, pine, oak, spruce, cypress, redwood, fir, and their variations - it's also a good idea to consider other important attributes.

The first is the age of the wood. Older trees have more heartwood than sapwood, and heartwood is what will give the logs insect and fungus resistance. Heartwood will also give your logs more durability and stability and will shrink and warp less. Newer trees tend to be mostly sapwood, especially those that have been grown quickly. You want old, slow-growing trees in order to get the best quality wood.

The next consideration is where the tree was grown. Trees that grow at higher altitudes tend to have more heartwood with very tight rings. This makes for very durable and stable logs that will last. Many trees are now being grown on tree farms, and those at lower altitudes may not give you the long-lasting material you're looking for.

Finally, does the log supplier you're purchasing from kiln dry their logs? Logs that are kiln dry or dried very slowly so that they don't crack, split, or warp, tend to be more stable and much longer-lasting than logs that are not kiln dried. The logs that are not kiln dried will dry on their own, but without that step, you risk warping, cracking, and splitting as well as shrinkage. Starting with kiln-dried material may be more expensive, but it will give you longer-lasting results.

Log Cabin Wood Species

You should also consider the species of wood you will use. Wood species each have different characteristics that may make one better than another for specific purposes. Keep in mind that woods with the same name can differ, such as red or white oak, red, white, or yellow pine, and red or white cedar.

Pine

Softwoods like pine are very common for use in log cabins, provided that they're old enough to have some decay resistance. Yellow pine offers the best decay resistance, while white pine offers the least. Pine has a high shrinkage rate, but is stable once it's dried. If you use fresh pine, you should expect a lot of shrinkage and settling over the first few years. Depending on the amount of sapwood, you may also see some cracks.

Cedar

Cedar is probably the most popular material for log homes. It's beautiful, aromatic, and naturally insect and fungus-resistant. Cedar is what you will want if your interior walls will also be made of logs. All types of cedar have a low shrinkage rate, so they don't need to be kiln dried. They will be more expensive than some other woods, however. You still want to make sure that you opt for older cedar whenever possible, as cedar that is mostly sapwood may still split.

Cypress

Cypress isn't used as much as other materials, simply due to its high cost; it's one of the most expensive woods used for log cabins. It has a low shrinkage rate and a high resistance against insects, fungus, and decay. It tends to have a lot more heartwood, which gives you a longer lasting cabin, but it can be difficult to find.

Fir

Fir also has several different types, which can be difficult or easy to find depending on your area. Overall, most types of fir have relatively low shrinkage rates, but have very little resistance to decay, fungus, or insects. You will need to treat fir logs to help mitigate these issues.

Spruce

If you live in the New England area, you may find that spruce is the best option. This is a relatively inexpensive wood that grows well in high altitudes. It does have a moderate shrinkage rate and poor decay and fungus resistance. You will need to have this wood kiln dried and treated to get the longest use out of it.

Oak

Oak is one of the few hardwoods that is used for log cabins. This wood is typically used for much larger log homes, and it can be expensive. It shrinks a lot during the drying period, so it should be kiln dried to ensure that you don't experience warping. White oak has a high resistance to decay, while red oak has a low resistance and should be treated.

Redwood

Redwood is a popular material on the west coast. It resists decay, fungus, and insects, and has very little shrinking. However it can be expensive, especially for the darker colored heartwood, and in some areas it can be hard to get.

An Alternative to Wood for Log Cabins

Even the most durable and resistant wood species, if grown too quickly or in the wrong area, can end up weak, prone to splitting and decay. Opting for kiln-dried wood or old growth wood can end up being prohibitively expensive for some people as well.

There is an alternative, however, that solves all of these issues.

Steel log-look siding from TruLog can give a timber-framed home the look of a log cabin, but without the shrinkage, decay, fungus or insect issues that true log cabins are subject to. Steel log-look siding is stable and fully insulated. It won't shrink and warp, exposing cracks that can lower your home's efficiency.

It doesn't require any pressure washing, staining, or other upkeep that can be common with log cabins. So you can get the look that you want for your home, without any of the inherent issues or having to hunt down a lumber supplier that can give you the exact form of wood that you're looking for.

Choose the Best Material for Your Home

Rather than asking what the best wood is for log cabins, ask yourself instead, what is the best material for your home. Steel log-look siding from TruLog can give you the appearance you want, without the maintenance, upkeep, or worry. Consider steel siding for your cabin to get the best of both worlds.

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Choosing the Best Wood Options for a Log Cabin

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Most people building a conventional home don't think too much about what it will be constructed of. They worry more about the finishing materials and possibly about things like efficiency. But anyone building a log cabin knows that there are a lot more considerations to be made.

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Energy efficiency

Durability

Natural

Economical

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Among the alternatives for regular concrete constructions, wooden cabins occupy the top spot. A wooden cabin is the most preferred holiday home for people who wish to spend their vacation in a peaceful environment. A wooden cabin represents class and grace. It has a beautiful structure that is aesthetically pleasing as well as the strength to endure even the severest of the weathers.

There are several reasons why people build wooden cabins. These range from health benefits to simply spending some quality time with the family. If you are planning to build a holiday home, or want to explore an alternative to regular homes, a wooden cabin is the perfect option for you. Few reasons why building a wooden cabin is preferred by people are enumerated in this article.

Natural

Wooden cabins are the perfect homes for those who prefer a natural way of life. The primary element wood, which is used to construct these cabins is naturally available and offers several benefits. Due to their natural benefits, wooden cabins offer several health benefits.

Wood is a good natural insulator, which means that the interiors of the house remain relatively warm in winter. It reduces the need to install a heater. Wood is also highly efficient in absorbing noise which is the reason why it is used for building walls of auditoriums and concert halls. Wooden cabins offer similar benefits by absorbing noise resulting in a quiet and peaceful ambience.

Health

Health benefits is another important reason why people build wooden cabins. Wooden cabins are excellent at improving physical health of the people living in them. They also offer psychological benefits to the persons opting to stay in these cabins. Since they have a natural living environment, the overall health of a person improves.

Also, due to clean and fresh air, various pulmonary illnesses are also cured. Other health issues such as hypertension are also significantly improved. As the wooden cabins have a peaceful ambience, it improves the psychological wellbeing of its dwellers. Wooden homes are also considered the best place to live when someone is recovering from a chronic illness.

Energy efficiency

Wooden cabins are highly efficient when it comes to energy consumption. These log cabins require less energy during the construction phase as well as throughout their lifetimes. It is easier to assemble the logs of wood to build a wooden cabin thereby reducing energy consumption. Due to their insulating properties, the energy consumption for heating or cooling them also reduces.

Unlike other homes where the temperature in the interior rise or fall in proportion with the change in the external temperature, wooden cabins have a more stable internal temperature. These cabins are much warmer in winters and cooler in summers. It reduces energy consumption considerably.

Economical

Wooden cabins incur lower construction and maintenance costs. It is easier to carry the construction material to the construction site which lowers the transportation costs. These cabins have a longer lifespan which makes them economical. Wooden cabins made from good quality timber and kept in a well maintained condition face lesser wear and tear.

It reduces the cost of repair and maintenance and gives the cabin a longer life. Being economical is one of the main reasons why people choose constructing wooden cabins. These cabins are affordable and well within their budget. Low cost and long life of a wooden cabin is an economically feasible option. These cabins offer a high value for money.

Viable investment

Wooden cabins have existed for centuries but recently there is growing interest in them. Living in large cities is taking a toll on the health of people who have now started showing interest in wooden cabins as their weekend or vacation homes. These cabins allow them to recover both physically and mentally.

These factors make wooden cabins a viable investment option. Not only they offer a comfortable and relaxing living environment, they also appreciate in value and also fetch good rental income. Even from a purely commercial and business perspective, wooden cabins offer a high return on investment. The financial value of wooden cabins appreciate considerably and quickly.

Environment friendly

Wooden homes are ecologically and environmentally friendly. Since they consume less energy during the building phase and in their entire lifetime, their impact on the environment is significantly low.

A wooden cabin is the best option for the people who are concerned about the environment and want to reduce their carbon footprints. Due to its ecological and environmental benefits, a wooden cabin is the right place for those who love nature.

Artistic and Aesthetic

Artistic and aesthetic homes are undoubtedly the best place to live. Wooden cabins have an artistic architecture and have other aesthetic elements. These are also highly customisable. Therefore, people living in them can build them according to their artistic tastes and decorate with items such as paintings, artefacts and furniture that are aesthetically pleasing.

Customisation

Ability to customise is an important reason why people build wooden cabins. They can select the texture of the wood, design of the house, and other characteristics such as interior design and type of furniture and décor items according to their preferences. It gives wooden cabin a unique advantage of being the home of their dreams.

Durability

Wooden cabins are highly durable and long lasting. Cabins built from high quality timber have a very long life and require less maintenance. These are also highly resilient to the extreme weather and remain in good shape for several decades. It is also easier to replace the damaged parts of a wooden cabin with ease.

Wooden cabins offer a high quality lifestyle. People prefer living in a log house for the happy and healthy ambience. These cabins are also excellent investment options as their value appreciates fast.

The health benefits offered by these cabins make them a preferred destination for rest and relaxation. People who want to recuperate from their illnesses or simply want to improve their health head to wooden cabins for their healing power.

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Why People Build Wooden Cabins? | Quick-garden.co.uk

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Among the alternatives for regular concrete constructions, wooden cabins occupy the top spot. A wooden cabin is the most preferred holiday home for people who wish to spend their vacation in a peaceful environment. A wooden cabin represents class and grace.

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1. Exceptional Insulator & Energy Saver
2. Quick to Build: Saves Money
3. Environmentally friendly
4. Aesthetically Acrobatic
5. Mechanical Properties & Working Properties

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In this article we'll explore and detail the benefits of wood based designs. This article isn't going to exclusively revolve upon wooden houses, but also the use of wood within designs and construction. Wood is a wondrous material; hopefully you'll agree upon conclusion of this article.

1. Exceptional Insulator & Energy Saver

Some building materials such as steel, inorganic materials which are non-combustible, expand when heated which can weaken and collapse the structure. Wood reacts in an almost opposite manner to this. When heated (not excessively to a combustible temperature of course), wood dries and actually becomes even harder.

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Let's make some comparisons here. Glass conducts heat 23 times faster than wood, marble 90 times faster, steal 1650 times faster and aluminium a whopping 7000 times faster.

This means less energy 'leakage' from a home. If you want the warmth (or coolness) to remain in your home, and you want to spend less money on heating (or cooling), wood is a tremendous alternative to brick, concrete or stone. Compared to other construction materials, wood, economically is a star child of insulation.

In brief: Using wood saves on heating bills and using wooden frames within structures is thrifty.

Fact: Wood actually does expand slightly when air humidity drops below 0%, however this won't affect the constructors amongst us as even in the most parchedness of climates, humidity doesn't drop below 5%.

2. Quick to Build: Saves Money
"People love chopping wood. In this activity one immediately sees results." Albert Einstein. Looks like he hit the nail on the head there. People like quick inexpensive results, and that's exactly what wood can offer.

Some wooden home manufacturers can construct a 100m² wooden house, on site within 7 days. Imagine popping to Florida for a two week vacation, returning home to discover a new building has sprung up in your neighbours garden. I told you wood was impressive!

When compared with brick, stone or concrete, wood constructions certainly do save time, and inherently with that come savings in labour. This is especially applicable in harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow and icy conditions, where wood construction can continue without hindrance. It has also been said from a builder friend of mine that plans for wooden structures are easier to follow than brick, concrete or using steel frames (feel free to comment on this in the comments section as I don't know the validity of this comment).

Wood-framed houses enable easy modifications during and after the building process and it's because of the ease, versatility and cost effectiveness which makes it such a popular and inexpensive choice. Insulated concrete form homes (ICF) can be costly, troublesome and time consuming to alter post build.

Mint Images / Getty Images

3. Environmentally friendly

Green is the big thing these days so of course this is going to be a big feature in this article. Houses made from trees are sustainable, renewable and environmentally friendly. Did you know that wooden structures absorb and store atmospheric CO2 and that wood, even taking into account haulage, is carbon neutral (in fact, it's the only carbon neutral construction material).

Fact: 0.8 tonnes of carbon emissions are saved for every cubic meter of wood which is used in construction, therefore, if a home uses 20 cubic meters of wood, that's a saving of 16 tonnes in carbon. In context, 16 tonnes of carbon is the same amount of carbon produced by driving 90,000 kilometers (as a very crude estimate). Using wood in construction, whether it's a complete construction of just the wooden frames, really does have a positive impact on climate change.

Most westernized countries have legislation where at least one tree has to be planted for every tree which has been cut. This is significant because it means there will be more wood on the planet, which means more carbon absorption. Let us not put our blinders on though, deforestation is a despicably saddening fact, therefore make sure your source of wood isn't questionable.

Mature trees actually use absorb less carbon than younger, faster growing trees, therefore it could be beneficial in the battle on climate change to cut the older trees, use them in construction and plant new carbon munching trees in their place.

4. Aesthetically Acrobatic

With over 5000 different woods to choose from, there is absolutely going to be something that'll suit ones construction or design desires. Some woods are ideal for insulation, some for acoustics, grain, color, appearance, and others for structural frames, walls, floors, ceilings and furniture.

In my personal opinion, the grain on a piece of wood is one of the most mesmerizing beauties in the natural world, where different hues of color and textures roll back into each other like an enchanting dance. I'm not over embellishing it either. Some of the most breath taking architectural designs are wood centered.

Wood can be painted in any color and can be waxed and varnished which'll brandish its natural finesse. It can be carved, cut, glued and nailed.

Wood is so versatile and aesthetically delightful, the only limit to what one can make with it is restricted by ones imagination. Just like Albert Einstein has said, 'Imagination is more important than knowledge' and, 'Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions'. Here's my own personal spin on that quote, 'Imagination is everything. It is the preview of remarkable designs and engineering feats, yet to be materialized'.

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5. Mechanical Properties & Working Properties

A few months ago, in conversation with a horticultural friend of mine, I was discussing a taxus baccata (European yew) hedge with him; what he likes to call, 'Taxus baccata is the hedge with the edge'! We progressed onto the topic of wood density. I always knew the taxus baccata was a very hard wood because it only grows about 5cm per annum, but I wondered whether it was harder than oak. This led me to the 'Janka' hardness test which measures how resistant the wood is to denting and wear.

To test the hardness of a given wood, the test measures the force required to embed an 11.28mm steel ball half way into the wood. It turns out that the yew requires 1500 pounds of force while oak fall just shy at around 1300 lbs.

I've said all that to illuminate ones perspective of the incredible variety of properties wood can have, which could inspire one to investigate new types of wood in upcoming projects. What's the hardest wood I hear some say, well that would be the Australian Buloke which requires 5060 pounds of force. One of the softest woods is from a cuipo tree, which requires 22 pounds of force, far softer than the better known balsa wood which comes in at 100 lbs.

I'm going to get even more technical on you now so skip this if it doesn't tickle you. Wood, although light has a remarkably high tensile strength. Let's take wood which has a tensile strength of 0,6/cm3 and the specific gravity is 100 N/mm2, as well as steel which has a tensile strength of 7,89/cm3 and the specific gravity is 500 N/mm2.

If we divide the tensile strength by the gravity, the given figure will tell us the quality of the material and its breaking length. The 'breaking length' means the point at which the material breaks under its own weight. Steel which is used in buildings has a breaking point of 5.4km and hardened bow steel 17.5km.When we compare the tensile strength of steel to two varieties of wood, spruce and laminated beech, the respective breaking lengths are 19.8km and 28.3km. Now you know why laminated wood is used on the floors of sports halls!

When it comes to how workable wood is, few things can surpass it. Wood can be whittled in beautiful and creative ways, which can make for almost magical designs. The accuracy and finish that can be achieved with wood can help carve an ordinary design into something extraordinary. Further to that, wood is fairly easy to maintain and to repair, so if it goes wrong, fixing the problem won't burn a too big of a hole in ones wallet.

6. Safe, Light, Sturdy & Durable

One of the many reasons why wood is still used today, despite huge strides in engineering excellence, is its durability weight and safety. Wood has a little bit of give in it which means it can bend slightly, which is a property which bricks don't have. Therefore, if the foundations shift slightly, the wooden home can flex and move with the change rather than crack. Even the smallest shift in the foundations of a brick house will case cracks to appear in the mortar (not a good look).Talking about foundations, one reason that most of the houses in the south east of the USA are wooden is because the soil is weak. Heavy brick can cause the ground to sink, therefore light wooden houses are preferred; nobody wants to become the victim of a sink hole.

Back to cost again here, but in a similar vain of thought, wooden houses are prevalent (and sometimes required) in the south east because they are cheaper to rebuild if destroyed by a hurricane. It seems a category 5 hurricane will destroy a brick build as well as a wooden one.

Westend61 / Getty Images

7. Water Resistant

While many woods soak in moisture and water, causing them to swell, there are some varieties of wood which are highly water resistant. A study has been conducted into the absorption rates of of four different varieties of wood, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Sitka Spruce. The woods were dried so that their moisture content ranged from 6-10% and were then left outside, covered. After one year, the moisture level of Western Cedar was between 9-11%, while the others ranged between 14-21%. The increase in moisture absorption from the untreated cedar wood was minimal.

This study demonstrates that even though some woods have a tendency to absorb moisture, there are particular varieties of wood which will not have that tendency. I'm sure there are some woods which are used specifically for their high absorption rates, and some, such as cedar for their low absorption rate.

Mint Images / Getty Images

8. Healthy & Natural

Electrostatic charge: This is a big deal for some people as electrostatic charges are believed to be unhealthy to some degree. Good news folks, wood emits zero electrostatic charge; nada, zilch!

If a room is finished with an uncoated wood, it'll help regulate the humidity which could aid in helping people with respiratory sensitivity. Not only does it regulate humidity, just the mere look of wood can sooth ones mind and relax the nervous system (so I've heard!). Just make sure the humidity doesn't make the wood too moist, otherwise that static electricity benefit could be thrown out the window.

For these reasons, wood is deemed to be a healthy choice over metal, plastic and other materials.

asbe / Getty Images

9. Acoustically Sound

Even though wood doesn't act as a perfect sound insulator, it does prevent echoes from bouncing around the room by absorbing sound waves. When compared to its constructive competitors, wood proves to be much more effective at sound insulation, especially when it comes to insulating between different rooms.

Wood is also used in many concert halls around the world as it naturally dampens sound, creating that perfect tone within the room.

EyeEm / Getty Images

10. Rust be Gone

Last but not least, wood doesn't rust. Even though it can oxidize in some form, it is statistically insignificant when compared with metal. True, there are some metals that don't rust, but they're more expensive; and can you really criticize wood after we've learned how wonderful it is!

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Timber Architecture: 10 Benefits of Wood Based Designs

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In this article we'll explore and detail the benefits of wood based designs. This article isn't going to exclusively revolve upon wooden houses, but also the use of wood within designs and construction. Wood is a wondrous material; hopefully you'll agree upon conclusion of this article.

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Rustic and Modern Cabin Interior Design

Scandinavian-Inspired Log Cabin Interior Design

Cozy and Small Cabin Interior Design

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Timber Kings

Modular Cabins

Stick-Built Cabins

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When you hear the word "cabin," what's the first thing that pops into your head? A log home in the mountains? A cozy lakeside cottage? A tiny house in the woods? Something completely different? The image you conjured up can help you determine your cabin style; it also helps to know your construction options, so that you can go from figments of imagination to a retreat home in the real world. Begin by familiarizing yourself with construction types commonly used for cabins. In the end, you will probably choose to go with a log, timber-frame, stick-built or modular home.

As you research your options, be aware that you may run across cost-per-square-foot comparisons. These shorthand estimates may seem helpful but in the long run can prove meaningless. "Some costs are constant regardless of the size of home - permits, environmental and other government fees, inspections and utility hook-ups are unaffected by a home's size," says Paul Foresman of Design Basics LLC, a home plan company based in Omaha, Neb. "A smaller home will still have a kitchen sink, dishwasher, range, refrigerator and microwave - just like a larger house," Foresman says.

In general, the cost-per-square-foot for a small cabin will be higher than for a larger home, simply because the fixed costs are divided by fewer square feet. If you're trying to contain costs, keep your plan simple. "That old adage, 'corners cost,' is important whatever size your home might be," says Bonnie Pickartz of Goshen Timber Frames of Franklin, N.C. "Simplifying the foundation will simplify the roof line, saving money from the ground up. Discussing what design issues, finishes and styles are important is critical to maintaining the budget and keeping costs in line."

For some people, log construction is synonymous with cabins. If you plan to build with logs, you'll have choices to make within that category:

These create a home with a more organic feel. Handcrafted logs are carved to stack on top of each other in exterior walls. For a more historic look, some handcrafters hew logs into rectangular profiles with flat exterior and interior faces. In general, handcrafted log homes use larger logs than milled log homes and come with a higher price tag.

This type of logsare precision-cut to a uniform look and size. These logs come in a variety of profiles, from fully round to squared, to create the log cabin look you prefer. Some log home producers offer "super-insulated" exterior walls, created by using dimensional log siding on the interior and exterior of stud-framed and insulated walls. This option gives the look of a full log wall with added energy efficiency.

This approach works for people who want the look of logs and are either renovating an existing cabin or building something new. Log siding can be applied to a cabin's exterior walls only or added to the interior walls, as well. How is log siding created? Options include milling it from logs or manufacturing it from concrete. Because of its integral color and durable material, concrete log siding allows for the look of wood with very low maintenance.

These can be purchased directly from a producer or through a local dealer, who may also serve as a builder. "There are many variables to the price of a log home," according to the International Log Builders' Association. "The design, species, style, size, roof structure and finish materials are just a few of the many factors." If you design a cabin from scratch or a stock plan, you can control many of these factors in order to keep a log cabin within your budget. The benefits of log construction include its unique aesthetics and its ability to take on a variety of styles from Early American to eclectic to classic Western ranch.

Timber-frame or post-and-beam construction brings the beauty of wood to the interior of a cabin while allowing for wide-open spaces. Traditionally, timber frames are built using hand-carved wood joinery interlocked with wooden pegs. Post-and-beam construction may use timbers that are joined with metal plates or other hardware. An online search or a trip to a specialty home show can introduce you to timber framers in your area or across the country. You will work with a framer and a designer or architect to plan your cabin. Some framers will enclose the frame with exterior walls; others will simply cut and erect the frame, which will then be finished by your local builder.

Timber-framed cabins can rank high in "wow" factor. Soaring ceilings and the unique character of wood add to the charm of this construction type. A timber frame can be uniquely weathertight thanks to enclosure systems (like structural insulated panels, or SIPs) that wrap the frame in an envelope of insulation. A well-insulated home will save money year after year, Pickartz notes. A timber-frame or post-and-beam cabin can take on a wide variety of styles to suit any taste.

Weighing the cost of a timber frame to a stick-built home is only possible if you can truly compare apples to apples, Pickartz explains. "Given the same roof lines, finishes and square footage, there is very little difference in a custom stick-built home and a custom timber frame." She cautions that if you like the beauty of wood, "a stick-frame home might need boxed beams, paneling and additional woodwork to give it that cabin feel, timber frames come to the party with these things as part of their structural design."

Watching the budget? You can choose a hybrid home that features timbers only in certain areas (like a great room) or choose a local, readily available wood for your frame. Working with a designer to eliminate expensive, unused spaces will also help the bottom line.

Stick-built cabins have walls that are framed with conventional studs. Common in home building, stud-framed construction takes advantage of widely available building materials. If you plan to build a stick-framed cabin from scratch, you will rely on the services of a local builder or general contractor. That builder will work with the plan and list of specifications you supply to build your custom home. Because this type of construction is widely used, you should have your pick of contractors with experience.

A stick-built cabin can be created in any style - from shabby chic to farmhouse to mountain style to traditional. Plenty of stock floor plans are available for you to choose from, and they can be revised with help from a designer or architect.

This type of construction is also familiar to lenders and insurance companies, so you would have fewer hassles paying for and insuring this type of cabin. The cost of a custom cabin built using conventional construction will vary widely from region to region and will be affected by the level of finishes you choose and the complexity of your plan. "Your kitchen selections alone could increase your home's overall cost by $10 to $20 per square foot or more," Foresman of Design Basics says.

With its emphasis on a quality product and quick build times, modular construction has appeal for cabin lovers. Modular homes are built in sections (or modules) in a company's indoor facility and then shipped to the construction site to be placed on a permanent foundation. Not to be confused with mobile or manufactured homes, modular homes are available in every size and style that can be created with conventional on-site construction.

Eliminating the variables of weather and material waste, modular construction can result in a cabin that meets or exceeds energy-efficiency standards, according to the Modular Home Building Council of the National Association of Home Builders. Costs can be similar to or somewhat less than conventional stud-framed construction, depending on the complexity of your modular home and where you plan to build.

As with other forms of construction, you can rein in costs by building small: Extra modules will increase shipping costs to your site. A modular cabin, like any other custom home, can be a place to take on do-it-yourself projects, but hiring a general contractor to oversee the site development, foundation build and finish work is typical for modular home buyers. For those building on a remote site or in a climate with a short building season, modular construction can be a good choice. "In some remote areas it's very difficult to transport and house a construction team making it a headache for traditional site-built construction," says Tim Key of Modular Today. As with timber framing, where a crane is used to set large timbers, the modular construction site needs to have enough clear space for crane access. "When building in a remote area, the roads are a concern for your delivery, but a bigger concern is ensuring there is enough room for the crane to lift and maneuver your modular," Key explains.

To start your search for a modular cabin, look for a local builder who has experience with this type of construction. "Modular home-building experience is very important when picking your local builder," Key says. "For example, foundations for modular homes often need to be much more precise than stick-built homes."

All the planning and good faith estimating in the world won't help you foresee every possible circumstance when building a cabin. No matter what type of construction method you choose, surprises can pop up. The experts at Modular World suggest reserving at least 5% of your budget (or more, if possible) as a contingency fund to pay for unexpected issues that arise as you build your dream cabin.

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When you hear the word "cabin," what's the first thing that pops into your head? A log home in the mountains? A cozy lakeside cottage? A tiny house in the woods? Something completely different?

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Architectural Styles | Log Homes Timber Homes

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Log and Timber architectural styles: Craftsman, French Country, Adirondack, Appalachian, Mountain and Modern. What style are you?

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East Texas includes white-tailed deer, raccoon, squirrel, fox, coyote and opossum. You might cross paths with an armadillo or a skunk. Reptiles such as snakes, lizards, salamanders, frogs and toads live here, too.

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The climate is hot and humid.

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The topography in East Texas is gently rolling to hilly in the north and central areas, becoming flatter near the Gulf of Mexico. It is a well-watered area and contains the Angelina, Neches, Sabine, and Trinity rivers as well as many creeks and bayous.

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Historically log cabin construction has its roots in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Although their origin is uncertain, the first log structures were probably being built in Northern Europe by the Bronze Age