Timber offers significant benefits over more energy-intensive, high-embodied carbon materials. One of the primary advantages is that timber naturally sequesters carbon. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as carbon in their biomass. This process helps offset carbon emissions, making timber a renewable resource that contributes to reducing the overall carbon footprint of a building.

In contrast, conventional building materials such as concrete, steel, and synthetic products often require large amounts of energy to produce, resulting in high embodied carbon emissions. The production of these materials contributes significantly to global warming, as they release carbon dioxide during manufacturing, transportation, and installation.

Timber, on the other hand, can be sourced sustainably, and when harvested responsibly, it continues to act as a carbon sink. Additionally, engineered timber products—such as engineered timber joists (I-joists), Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) or glue-laminated timber (glulam)—are particularly efficient. These products are designed to use less raw timber material while maximizing strength and durability, resulting in less waste and greater performance. Engineered timber allows for the construction of larger and more complex structures with minimal environmental impact compared to traditional building materials, making it an excellent choice for sustainable design.