ELIGE MADERA From wood’s myths to its virtues Despite the virtues and benefits of wood in our lives, there are still those who doubt its capabilities, rather than learning from this renewable, resistant and precious material. Here we seek to break down some of those prejudices. Despite the virtues and benefits of wood in our lives, there are still those who doubt its capabilities, rather than learning from this renewable, resistant and precious material. Here we seek to break down some of those prejudices. Many of us are already aware of the benefits, qualities and advantages of wood construction, however, there are also those who oppose it as a material. Probably influenced by outdated concepts or distrust of the capabilities of wood, today we want to refute the main myths and bring people up to date about wood in construction. Maintenance Today's wooden structures don’t need the same maintenance as the houses built years ago in inhospitable locations. Trees grow for decades without falling, rotting or cracking, so why would a house that’s made of the same material? At present, there are a wide range of treatments for exterior wood coatings, which avoid the need for maintenance. Wood can also be combined with other materials that do not require any treatment, and help extend its life. Resistance Architectural design is based on standards that regulate the quality of all construction, so any certified building must comply with the parameters to remain standing for a defined period of time, with anti-seismic capacity and anchoring systems. Fire As in the above case, there are also standards that require a minimum level of fire resistance, which in CLT structures has a duration of between 30 to 120 minutes, surpassing the characteristics of steel. When this wood comes into contact with fire, it creates a protective layer of carbon that keeps the internal structure protected, allowing it to continue standing safely. Otherwise, there are fire-resistant coatings that are capable of protecting wood at all times. Insects Any construction must include an evaluation of the terrain on which it will be built, taking the necessary measures in the design and execution of the project in order to repel xylophagous insects that may be present in the surroundings. Temperature Although light compared to other building materials, wood is a much better insulator, and its ability to retain heat in cold seasons is one of its most under-recognized advantages. And as for temperature changes, the technology used in new construction avoids the deformation of wood in different climates and humidity. Let us know if these advances and specifications make sense to you. They seem very logical to us, and they convince us that a world with more wood is possible — a more sustainable world.