The History of timber in construction

Timber is our stock-in-trade here at Ryder Services. It’s been a key construction material for as long as we humans have needed shelter and to get from A to B. Wood and construction have a fascinating interwoven history, so let’s delve into the history of timber in construction.

The ancient beginnings of wood

Wood was humanity’s go-to construction material millennia before steel beams and concrete even got a look-in. In pre-historic times, timber offered early humans the ideal combination of accessibility, versatility, and strength. Homes, bridges, boats - timber is as versatile as the humble potato.

The oldest known wooden structure, the Schöningen Spear, dates back 400,000 years. The Egyptians and Mesopotamians quickly embraced timber's potential, using it to construct not only homes and ships but temples too. This set the scene for timber's role in the world of construction.

Timber in the Middle Ages

Wood construction flourished in medieval Europe. Timber-framed houses are synonymous with medieval architecture. You know the type of thing, those charming, quaint cottages with exposed wooden beams that make you think of Shakespeare. These half-timbered houses were efficient and built to last, designed to withstand the elements and keep homes toasty in filthy weather.

But timber use wasn’t solely about practicality, and oak made a particular statement. Its durability made it the king of construction materials. Medieval carpenters were masters of their craft, empoying intricate joinery techniques like mortise and tenon to create buildings that didn't require metal nails to hold it all together.

One of the most iconic examples of timber in medieval construction is the towering spire of England's Salisbury Cathedral, the tallest wooden spire in the UK (404-foot /123-metres) . The intricate wooden framework that supports this spire was a masterpiece of engineering at the time, showcasing just how far timber construction techniques had come.

Timber use across the world

Other countries were also getting in on the act by getting creative with wood at the same time. In Japan, timber construction was exalted with the development of temples and shrines that utilised the unique flexibility of wood to withstand earthquakes. The Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fantastic example of traditional Japanese wooden architecture.

The indigenous peoples of North America used wood in various forms to construct homes, like longhouses and wigwams. Then, as settlers began arriving, timber became the material of choice for building towns and cities across the continent. The American log cabin still stands as a symbol of these times.

The Rise of the Timber Industry

Timber’s role in construction took a leap forward during the Industrial Revolution, and it was a game changer. Steam-powered sawmills revolutionised the way timber was processed, so instead of labour-intensive and time-consuming hand-cutting trees, steam-powered saws could mass-produce planks and beams with far greater speed and precision.

Suddenly, timber was more accessible, affordable, and consistent in quality, making it the construction material of choice for everything from homes to factories. Timber became a cornerstone of a booming 19th-century construction industry, especially in exploding cities like London and New York.

Skyscraper construction had embraced timber by the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though steel would eventually come to dominate the skyline, early high-rise buildings often used timber as a key structural element. Chicago’s first skyscrapers had timber frames.

Timber in the modern age

Timber is experiencing a renaissance in the 21st century, fuelled by concerns about sustainability and climate change. Architects and builders are turning to wood as a renewable, eco-friendly alternative to steel and concrete. Engineered timber products like Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glulam are leading a new wave of construction innovation.

Engineered timber combines the strength and durability of traditional timber with the precision and stability needed for modern architecture, making it possible to build wooden structures taller than ever before. The Mjøstårnet in Norway, completed in 2019, stands at 85.4 metres and is the world’s tallest timber building.

Timber construction constantly evolves, but has never lost its core appeal. From ancient huts to modern skyscrapers, timber has remained a constant for its versatility, endurance and beauty. And as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with wood, timber isn't going anywhere. It's as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.

Sources:

foresthistory.org

woodforgood.com

aitc-glulam.org

historicengland.org.uk

ttf.co.uk