Timber-frame house - Presentation

This article opens a documentary series on wood construction, presenting wood construction in its entirety, from the origins of the timber industry to its technical evolution. Wood is the most natural and ancient of building materials, and has survived the ages with ease, as evidenced by the many centuries-old structures we see today. This article takes a look at the current state of wood construction in France, which has been growing steadily since the twentieth century, before discussing its many advantages - ecological, economical, comfortable and architectural - which enable it to easily meet the requirements of the RT2012 thermal regulations. The five construction principles are reviewed, and the materials used in timber construction are then described, along with their specific features and performance. Other, more targeted articles focus specifically on structure, framework, finishing, exterior skin, structural materials and panels, to address the more technical aspects of timber construction and provide concrete support for the construction industry.