Timber Garage vs Block or Brick Garage

If you are considering building, or having built for you, a new garage there are few construction materials to choose from. In the main, these are going to be timber, block or brick and some kind of steel cladding system over a steel superstructure.

Online research leads one this way and that as one considers the benefits of a garage made from x or y. The Olson guide below gives a brief and broad overview of the benefits that a timber garage brings over that of a block or brick garage.

We know and appreciate that timber will not be the answer for everyone but there are some key factors that really do seem to make the case for a timber garage.

Weather

Timber Garage fare less weather dependant and can installed in 1-3 days (allowing for the setting of the footings) block or brick garages require fair weather for longer and often take. 7-14 + days depending on weather conditions

Planning Permission

Installation of both types of building is often possible using permitted development

Building Regulations

Concrete or brick garages may require building calculations and regulation approval. Wooden or timber garages can be exempt and usually do not have the same loads so often do not require calculations (please check for your exact location, design and build)

Environmental Impact

Timber is a natural resource that consumes carbon dioxide as the tree grows and can be recycled back in to the land. Treated timber has a good life span. Concrete blocks have very few if any positive impacts on the earth. They do last well but are not natural products and the production process is energy intensive.

Internal conditions

‍A timber garage is using natural materials that do not cause condensation and can naturally regulate. Non breathable materials can lead to condensation, the building can not breath. Surfaces are hard and unforgiving making mounting tools etc harder.

Cost

Generally timber is a more cost effective building material, requiring less labour and installed more quickly - helping to keep costs low.

As a timber building company you would expect us to be a bit biased but for the environmental impact alone it is hard to understand why a block built building makes sense, especially for a garage when a timber one is made off site, can be installed in a day and the only real carbon footprint is delivery. Timber Garages are cost effective, low impact & quick to install .Marry the lower CO2 argument with the cost saving, speed and simplified approach to building regulations and a timber garage seems by far the best way forward.

You can still go wrong with a timber garage. If the wood is not high quality and treated, the fixings are not stainless steel and galvanised and the roof is badly installed - it does not matter what the initial saving, you are constructing a short term building. A garage that will do you no favours and for which you will pay twice, once for the initial garage and then again for someone to do it right! A good, well made, well planned and thought out timber garage is, at least in our opinion, far better than a block or brick equivalent and costs the planet and the owner, less. For a quote on a timber garage tailored to your requirements click here