Why Build a Garage in Timber?

Building What Are the Benefits of a Timber Garage?

Timber garages have become a popular alternative to brick and concrete buildings. They're quick to install, naturally insulating and can be built in a wide range of sizes and styles.

Whether you need secure parking, extra storage or a flexible space for a workshop or home gym, a timber garage offers a practical, long-lasting solution. Below, we look at some of the main reasons people choose to build their garage in timber.

But first, let's answer some popular questions.

Common questions about wooden garages 

Are timber garages any good?

Well-built wooden garages featuring pressure-treated timber, wind braces, and roof boarding make excellent outbuildings. They’re robust, long-lasting, affordable, and quick to install.

How long will a timber garage last?

Pressure-treated timber, which is more resistant to water damage, fungal decay, mould, and insect attacks, can last well over 25 years. 

In fact, timber has been used for framing and building structures - from homes to barns - for millennia. There are houses in the medieval city of Canterbury dating back five hundred years ago that are still standing today. So, timber structures can last for hundreds of years.

As you can see, a well-maintained timber garage can last a very long time. However, garages built using non-pressure-treated and low-quality wood typically decay within 8 years.

7 reasons to build a garage in timber

Let’s address the main question: why should you build a garage with timber?

1) It’s environmentally friendly

Swapping conventional building materials for timber can cut CO2 emissions by 69%. That’s why bodies like MIT's Office of Sustainability and the Canadian Wood Preservation Association (CWPA) recommend building with wood. 

When trees are harvested for timber, the carbon they’ve absorbed while growing gets trapped. Using timber in construction keeps this carbon out of the atmosphere for years. 

According to the CWPA, wood uses less energy and water and creates less pollution than other construction materials. After reviewing 22 studies, they found that every ton of dry wood used in construction produces 3.9 tons less C02 than other materials over its lifecycle.

What’s more, timber buildings weigh 20% less than concrete buildings, so they don’t need thick concrete foundations. Bear in mind that concrete is responsible for 4 to 8 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions.

For these reasons, many believe timber is the future of architecture.

At Olson Timber Buildings, we only use sustainably sourced timber from FSC/PEFC-certified sawmills and suppliers. It comes from carefully managed woodland, where new saplings are planted to replace harvested trees. 

As a business, we aim for zero landfill status, so we collect all our wood offcuts and recycle them into other wood products.

2) It’s affordable

Timber is much more affordable than other traditional building materials, like cement or brick. This is especially true if you choose a pre-assembled garage or a DIY kit. 

Our timber garages are pre-assembled, so they’re very fast to build; however, they can be fully customised so you get a bespoke timber garage at a fraction of the price.

3) It provides natural insulation

Wood provides natural insulation, so timber garages benefit from an internal temperature warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. 

This is very handy if you want to use part of the garage as a gym or workshop or if you own an electric car - the ambient temperature can affect battery performance.

4) It lasts a long time

Timber garages built from high-quality pressure-treated timber can last many years, especially if maintained well. 

To ensure the wood stays robust and moisture-free, stain it every 2 to 3 years and repair any leaks in the roof as soon as possible. 

You should also remove any soil build-up on the exterior so the moisture doesn’t penetrate the wood. Air the building often to reduce dampness by leaving the garage door open when you take the car out.

5) Timber garages are quick to install

Installing a wooden garage only takes a few days or about a week, depending on its size.

And while you still need to build foundations first, these are uncomplicated; a single concrete slab works perfectly. 

6) Timber garages are versatile

Wooden garages can easily double up as garden studios, gyms, workshops, and games rooms. If you can run the mains to the outbuilding, the possibilities are endless. 

Investing in a slightly larger garage can pay dividends in the long run because you can adapt the space to your evolving needs over time.

7) Wooden garages are attractive

Finally, timber garages look timeless and fit well in any property. 

No matter your home design, a timber garage in your garden or driveway won’t look out of place.