Timber Material vs. Steel and Concrete: A Practical Comparison
A side-by-side look at timber, steel, and concrete — covering embodied carbon, speed of construction, cost, and where each wins
If you're choosing structural and enclosure materials for a project, the timber material vs. steel/concrete question comes up early. Each has strengths — the key is matching material to project priorities, not finding a single "best" material.
We manufacture modified timber products used in hybrid structures and low-rise timber-framed buildings. Here's an honest side-by-side comparison to help you specify.
Embodied Carbon: Where the Biggest Difference Is
| Material | Embodied Carbon (kg CO₂e/kg) | Biogenic Carbon |
|---|---|---|
| Structural steel (primary) | 1.8–2.8 | None |
| Concrete (structural) | 0.10–0.18 | None |
| Saown softwood timber | −0.5 to −1.2 (biogenic) | Stored in wood |
Keep in mind: Timber's carbon advantage is largest in the structure itself. For a typical mid-rise building, replacing a concrete frame with timber can reduce embodied carbon by 20–40% on the structural scope.
Construction Speed and Site Logistics
- Timber (prefab): Wall panels and floor cassettes arrive factory-made. Crane lifts them into place. A 3-storey timber-framed building can be enclosed in days, not weeks.
- Concrete: Requires formwork, rebar, pouring, and curing. Each step adds days on-site. But concrete can be poured in weather that timber cladding crews would shut down for.
- Steel: Bolting steel members is fast — but steel itself needs protective coating, fire protection, and oftenConcrete foundations. Hybrid steel-timber systems are increasingly common.
Where Timber Wins — and Where It Doesn't
Material Suitability by Application
- Low-rise structures (1–5 storeys): Timber wins on speed, carbon, and cost. Prefab timber panels are the standard in many European residential developments.
- High-rise (6+ storeys): Concrete and steel dominate. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is pushing the boundary, but fire regulation is stricter above certain heights.
- Facades and cladding: Timber cladding with modified timber (Class B-s1,d0) performs well. Concrete panels are heavier and more expensive to install on timber-framed buildings.
Our outdoor flame-retardant wall panels are specified in hybrid timber-concrete buildings where the facade needs timber aesthetics with fire compliance.
Specifying Timber in a Hybrid or All-Timber Build?
We provide modified timber products for structural and cladding use — with fire, durability, and carbon documentation to support your material comparison.
Or contact our technical team to discuss material selection for your project.
