Insulation

Timber is a natural insulator!

 

“Air pockets within timber's cellular structure create a natural barrier to heat and cold.”

“Windows have an important function in determining a building's thermal performance as they act like thermal holes that allow heat to more readily enter or escape. Timber is a natural insulator for window frames and has slightly lower U-Values than PVC or vinyl windows and significantly lower U-Values than aluminium.”

 

Source: https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/thermal-performance

 

Acoustics

Be it sound reducing or sound boosting, timber performs well.

 

“Timber performs strongly in the acoustic arena - whether the objective is to enhance sound or reduce sound. Its network of small interlocking wood cells converts sound energy into heat energy by frictional resistance within these cells and by vibrations within their sub-structure.

 

Because of this internal friction, wood has a stronger sound dampening capacity than most structural materials. While a concrete wall will also reflect sound, it does so in a much harsher way, resulting in stronger echoes. The natural acoustic properties of timber control this excessive echo, or reverberation, by reducing the transmission of sound vibrations. These properties of timber are why many public buildings, clad walls and ceilings are lined with acoustic timber panels or spaced timber battens.”

 

Source: https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/acoustic-performance

The environmentally friendly choice

Due to the biological nature of trees, carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured in the timber through the growth process. This in itself supports the environment. Our timber is sourced from suppliers who are certified by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). These organisations provide chain-of-custody certification which can be used to track timber and timber-based products from the forests, through the supply chain, to the market. This provides buyers the assurance that the timber products they have purchased have originated from a sustainably managed and certified forest that practises responsible forestry.

 

When considering the environment and our timber choices, we do feel it is important to point out the process Accoya goes through to make it the timber product it is. Accoya undergoes Acetylation to change the free hydroxyls within the timber to acetyl groups. This is achieved by exposing the timber to acetic anhydride, which comes from acetic acid (also known as vinegar when it is diluted). When the free hydroxyl group is transformed to an acetyl group, the timbers ability to absorb water is greatly reduced, making a more dimensionally stable and durable product. As acetyl groups are already naturally present in all timber species, the manufacturing process of Accoya does not add anything to the timber that is not already naturally occurring within it, and therefore does not add toxins into the environment.

For more information on this please see https://www.accoya.com/au/products/windows/

 

Both Aluminium and UPVC require large amounts of energy and resources to create the products that they are. While they do have their pros and cons as a completed product, we believe the overall impact on the environment is substantially outweighed making timber a more suitable choice.