CEU Summary
Using Wood to Achieve Thermal Performance Goals
Exceeding Thermal Performance Goals by Choosing Wood
The benefits of choosing wood in commercial and nonresidential projects are many. Both light frame and mass timber structural systems offer flexibility in design options.
They also are economical and relatively easy to construct, providing ease of use on the job site. Yet one important benefit that should not be overlooked is the thermal performance that wood can provide. Thermal performance contributes to a range of important goals for most projects, including energy efficiency, comfort, durability, code compliance, structural integrity, and sustainable outcomes. Designing with wood not only meets performance requirements for commercial and nonresidential buildings—it can also exceed goals.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the thermal advantages of building with wood.
- Describe how designing with wood can enable design flexibility to maximize building performance.
- Explain common methods for controlling heat and airflow in wood-frame and mass timber buildings.
- List common insulation, air-tightness, and vapor permeability strategies often employed with wood construction to achieve effective thermal efficiency.