The high lumber price is definitely making the whole construction industry suffer because of the pandemic. The economic crisis is being felt that is why you will notice that the lumbar prices are soaring high. To continue with the business, there is an urgent need to find an alternative construction method that will help hold down the cost of building and remodeling new homes.
The unexpected cost of lumber went high and it became the hottest topic among home builders. The circumstance lends impetus to efforts in order to develop other materials to use of construction companies in their new home construction projects. However, can this be enough? Can we really cope up with all the travesty effects of the COVID19? We’re here to tell you few tips in order for your construction company business to thrive and survive!
How important lumbar is?
The standard-size lumber that is typically made with softwoods is the most important construction material. It is often the product of choice for house framing for many decades already as the result and convenience of using it is truly better compared to other construction materials. Because of its high demand as of now, the price also became a large factor. Due to this, several private builders and companies are looking for more cost-efficient materials as alternatives.
Throughout the centuries of building structures and houses, building companies have worked with various materials. Some say adobe bricks are good, others believe it is better to use steel beams. However, if there is one material that has proved to be particularly strong, easy to use, and has the most advantage of use, it is wood. Specifically, wood framing is one of the most tested among other components. It happens to be the most popular material too when it is used in framing projects. Today, it continues its work when framing such as homes, small commercial developments, and multi-family units even in modern times.
But how important woods can be? Why is lumbar such a high demand in the construction industry? Here are three (3) of what we believe are the wood framing benefits:
Lumbar is renewable
If you happen to all know, lumbar is the only renewable building material there is. Wood is a wise and obvious choice for environmentally-conscious builders like you. It takes less energy in extracting, manufacturing, and transporting. What is great about wood is that it releases fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared with steel and concrete.
Lumbar allows you to have better insulation
As stated by facts and research, wood offers higher levels of thermal resistivity compared to other framing materials we have today. Wood framing is great for more energy-efficient for building and construction. It is because the cellular structure of wood has air pockets inside. These high levels of thermal resistance are really helpful especially if you have a cold winter climate in your place.
Lumbar is Easy-to-Use compared with other construction materials
Wood requires fewer certifications and less technical skills. You don’t have to do welding or other special techniques to add to the timeline and budget of a project. It will save you a vast amount of time because it is convenient to use. Wood is also readily available, and easy to maintain and repair. What most homebuilders like about using wood is that it can be used in a variety of structures like residential or clubhouses, multifamily units, and even commercial buildings.
Alternative framing materials
Now that you know the importance of the lumbar, we will be discussing the disadvantage of using it. In this way, you will know that there are alternative materials that can work better. Honestly, the advantage of using wood outweighs the disadvantage, so it is really up to you to decide which works best:
The deterioration is inevitable
Wood is considered nutritious for many insects because it is a natural material. Termites, beetles, ants, and even some species of bees will definitely be attracted to eat wood. Wood is also susceptible to fungi because it has carbon and nitrogen contents. However, deterioration can be prevented by construction techniques like coating, drying, and applying wood preservatives. It is also helpful if you provide adequate weather proofing; this will be effective if you want to seal the exterior of your house or building.
Fire Hazard
The most well-known issue that homeowners struggle with wood is that it catches on with fire so easily. Since wood is made with organic carbon and hydrogen compounds, adding oxygen can cause the wood to burn. But, this risk can also be prevented with the use of fire retardants; it will surely reduce the wood’s flammability and you will never have to worry about this.
Wood framing is a reliable and long-lasting solution ever since. This is why lumbar’s price will definitely increase as it is commonly used until today. The pandemic’s effect will most likely continue and we must do something about the construction industry in order for it to survive. There is no doubt, lumbar is precious. Though, there are several alternatives you can consider in the meantime. To give you an idea, here are some of the best alternatives for lumber:
Top Alternatives to Lumber
Foam Core Panels
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs )
Structural Steel
Cellular PVC
Cold-Formed Steel or Light Gauge Steel Framing
Welded-Wire Sandwich PanelsComposite
Engineered Wood
Fiber Cement
There are major factors when deciding which to use. It is best if you analyze the total cost, availability of the material, the price stability of the material, the durability, and your familiarity in installation for you to decide which is better to use. We understand that this is an incredibly struggling time for homebuilders and construction companies like us so we hope this helps you!