Wood as a building material is not always seen as a positive thing, but in fact the use of timber for building is one of the best mainstream building materials.

· Wood is the only mainstream renewable construction material. It is a long term crop that is properly managed. In Europe we are planting more than we are cutting down. Wood from sustainably managed forests can actually be better than carbon neutral.

· Low embodied energy consumption. Wood has the lowest embodied energy of any mainstream building material. It produces a third less co2 than concrete and steel. This has improved when you consider that the co2 locked away in the timber is not released into the atmosphere.

· Low waste. Timber has a use even in its end life where it can be burnt for heating.

· It can be used all year round in building. A wooden frame structure does not require certain conditions to set like concrete

· Unique. Every piece of wood is different. You own something that no one else does.

· Wood has the best thermal insulation properties of any mainstream construction material.

· 3 tonnes of CO2 can be saved by using a timber frame from the 20 tonne CO2 footprint of a typical 3 bedroom detached house.