Nowadays there are many different products, materials and solutions to choose from. That choice can have a significant effect on CO2 emissions. For example, substituting wood for heavy concrete blocks would result in a saving of over a tonne of CO2 for every cubic metre of wood. The table below shows how much CO2 a cubic metre of wood can save when used instead of other materials.
Wood walls
Environmental Profile information in the UK shows you can save up to 3,45 tonnes CO2 per 50m2 wall using timber frame and softwood cladding. The table below compares CO2 emissions for different wall constructions. Methods of timber construction, and therefore wood content, vary across Europe, but CO2 savings of around 5-15 tonnes per house can be expected (5 tonnes is roughly the amount produced by a 1,4 litre car driving 23 000km). So a small increase in the percentage of houses built across Europe using timber will result in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
Wood windows
By substituting wood for PVC-U up to 0,5 tonnes CO2 can be saved per 10 windows, or up to 4,0 tonnes CO2 when substituting wood for aluminium.
Wood beams
A French study (see below) has shown the CO2 savings to be made by choosing wood beams, which have a negative CO2 impact - they can absorb 150kg CO2 per tonne - while aluminium, for example, emits almost 330kg per tonne.
Source: http://www.eos-oes.eu |
