2_5_DiscoverBenelux_Issue15_March2015_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 20/02/2015 15:10 Page 49
Discover Benelux | Special Theme | The Market of Construction
The thriving world of wood Over the last 20 years, wood construction in Belgium has developed significantly. Its roots are to be found in a dynamic and modern production chain which adapted itself to the world of wood construction. TEXT & PHOTOS: HOUT INFO BOIS
Hout Info Bois, a technical centre for information on wood, has led a biennial survey amongst builders of individual timber frame houses and presents some of the major trends in the past two years. In Belgium, the individual timber frame construction represents some 8 per cent of the total amount of constructions. Until 2012, the wood construction could pride itself on being in constant growth, while the last survey indicated a slight decline. On the other hand, renovations, extensions and wooden heightening are still on the increase, albeit with a slight weakening. The most recent findings show that timber frames are by far the most frequently used wood construction systems, covering 80
per cent of the total. It is followed by column-beam structures and large wood structures each representing just under 8 per cent. The glued Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) represents 2.5 per cent and the nailed CLT less than 1 per cent.
Nevertheless, a growing awareness by the general public of environmental protection, the increased cost of energy and the need to better insulate buildings could make wood more attractive as a building material. It is highly unlikely that a late consequence of the 2008 crisis would lead to a decrease in wood construction.
The survey clearly indicates that wood construction remains the activity of small companies where construction is not their major activity. However, the trend also leans towards element prefabrication in workshops, which, over time, is expected to be accompanied by a sizeable increase in their business.
But wood construction is constantly developing and recently gained new sectors. Many companies have expanded their activities by realising larger buildings such as public buildings, farms and industrial buildings. Furthermore, the prefabrication of external walls to coat buildings which have a concrete main structure is another trend on the up.
The slight decrease in the number of residential constructions could be explained by the consequences of the 2008 crisis.
In short, the Belgian wood construction has a bright future. www.houtinfobois.be
Issue 15 | March 2015 | 49