Wood Shrugs off Ghosts from its Past

A welcome lift in the use of wood compared with other building products such as concrete and steel is evident in the BRANZ report on timber use to June 2008.

The survey sees wood recovering its share across several important categories which reverses the downward trend that had been evident in the last few years.

This is very good news says NZ Wood’s Programme Manager Geoff Henley. Wood has always been important in our economy, but it has taken on even greater significance as a store of atmospheric carbon which is driving harmful climate change.

“Wood’s share of the new-build residential framing market has been tracking down since 2000 and finally we have been able to reverse the slide with a sharp lift in the last six months.

“I believe this is directly related to the greater awareness of the sustainable credentials of wood. There is increasing public awareness of just how important it is,” says Henley.

“Even in the flooring market for new-build and alterations where, over the last decade there has been a strong trend to concrete, we are seeing evidence of a recovery by wood especially in the form of ply and particle board.

“Cladding is going to be a hard nut to crack. After wooden weatherboards went out of favour in the 90s and early 2000s, it appears that interest in them is again growing for new-builds,” says Henley.

“Concrete and steel have been fighting it out in the non-residential commercial market for years and wood has barely had a look in. We believe this is an area of great opportunity for wood as public attitudes shift to a greater interest in wood because of its sustainable and renewable properties,” he says.

Wood has now shrugged off some ghosts from its past, says Henley.

“People now appreciate that leaky buildings were not the fault of wood, but of poor building practice. Modern timber grading systems and engineered woods have overcome any concerns about the strength and stiffness of the product and changes in timber treatments have made wood a more attractive product.

“Wood has been New Zealand’s first choice building material, particularly in residential construction since pioneer days. That position has been encroached by concrete, steel and other manufactured products, but the wood story about sustainability and renewability is compelling and the balance between use of these building materials is going to continue to move in woods favour over coming years,” says Henley.

The survey is carried out every six months and asks questions specific to building consents. Three surveys are done for new dwellings, dwellings alterations and additions and for non-residential buildings.

For more information please contact:

Geoff Henley

Phone 04 460 6610 or email: geoff@nzwood.co.nz

Released on behalf of NZWood by:

Suzanne O’Rourke
Phone 021 549 528 or email: suzanne.orourke@networkpr.com