AkzoNobel is marking World Green Building Week with the launch of ‘The case for wood in more sustainable buildings’, a new white paper developed in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam
The white paper examines how responsibly sourced and properly protected wood can support more sustainable building choices while delivering durability, robust performance and architectural quality.
It also demonstrates how material selection and protective coating systems can work together to help reduce a building’s overall lifecycle carbon footprint.
Wood-based window facades have lower carbon footprints than other materials
The paper presents findings from a comparative lifecycle assessment of representative façade panels and window frames made from wood and other commonly used materials, including aluminium, steel and PVC.
It considers the full lifecycle of each system, including material production, coating application, use, maintenance, transport and end-of-life scenarios.
The analysis found that wood-based façades and window frames had lower cradle-to-grave carbon footprints than non-wood alternatives. It also shows that the substrate drives most total carbon emissions, while coatings contribute a relatively small share, ranging from 4% to 37% of the assessed footprint depending on the material and application.
Practical implications of choosing wood in building design
The whitepaper highlights three practical implications for architects, engineers, developers and manufacturers:
- Material choice is the biggest lever: Selecting timber for suitable façade and window applications has the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared with aluminium, steel and PVC alternatives
- Durability should be assessed over the whole building life: High-quality coating systems can have a slightly higher initial carbon contribution, but can extend maintenance and repair intervals and reduce the likelihood of premature replacement
- Specification must be application-led: Timber, coating systems, design, installation and maintenance strategies need to be considered together to achieve the required performance over the intended service life
The wider value of timber in the built environment
The white paper also highlights timber’s wider value in the built environment. Beyond its carbon profile, wood supports biophilic design – the integration of natural elements into built environments – contributing warmth and character.
Engineered timber products such as cross-laminated timber panels and glue-laminated timber (glulam) structural beams and columns provide a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing structures to be lighter than equivalent concrete or steel designs and potentially reducing foundation requirements while simplifying transport and assembly.
Prefabricated timber elements can also be produced with high precision in factory conditions, enabling rapid on-site installation and reducing construction waste.
“Specifiers need to balance performance, durability and carbon impact and we can help them see the full picture by providing the relevant sustainability data,” concluded Tessa Slagter, sustainable innovation manager for AkzoNobel’s Industrial Coatings business.
“By offering building solutions that are both lower carbon and built to last, we can help them make more sustainable building choices.”
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