One of the most common questions when talking about timber construction is its durability. However, the reality of modern structural timber is very far from the traditional image that still often exists. Today, the durability of a timber structure mainly depends on three factors: the quality of the material, the manufacturing process, and the protection systems applied throughout the entire construction process.
For this reason, when working with timber structures, it is essential to use certified materials, industrialised processes, and specific treatments that ensure the long-term preservation of the wood.
Quality timber to ensure durability
Most of the timber we work with at Pallars Fustes is glued laminated timber sourced from Central and Northern Europe, coming from certified forests with controlled and sustainable logging. It mainly consists of hardwoods such as oak or chestnut, specifically selected for their structural performance and stability.
The manufacturing process is key to ensuring its quality. Once the timber arrives at the sawmills, the corresponding boards are cut and go through a controlled drying process. Afterwards, they are glued vertically, horizontally, and also at the ends using the finger joint technique or finger-jointed connections. Finally, the pieces are pressed until structural laminated timber is obtained.
This process produces a very stable, resistant material with excellent long-term performance. Both laminated timber and CLT panels undergo quality control checks that certify their durability and structural performance.
Although we mainly work with glued laminated timber, we also use locally sourced solid timber from the Montseny and Guilleries areas. Species such as Douglas fir, chestnut, or cedar stand out especially for their natural resistance to outdoor conditions and their high durability.
Treatments and protection against moisture
In addition to the quality of the material, protecting the wood is another essential factor in ensuring its preservation.
Generally, all the beams we supply receive a fungicidal-insecticidal immersion treatment. This transparent treatment provides extra protection against potential pests and also acts as a barrier against moisture. In addition, we provide a guarantee certificate for the applied treatment.
When the wood is exposed to the outdoors, such as in porches or pergolas, a higher-level treatment is applied. In the case of beams, an autoclave treatment is carried out, a deep impregnation system inside specialised chambers that significantly increases the wood’s resistance to outdoor conditions.
Fire-retardant treatments can also be applied to structures intended for public use or projects with specific fire protection requirements.
Moisture protection is also carefully considered during the construction process. In industrialised construction with CLT panels, a waterproof membrane is applied before the material leaves the factory to protect the timber during transport and assembly. This ensures that, even if it rains during construction, moisture does not penetrate the material until the final roof finish is installed.
In addition, wood is always installed separated from the ground to avoid any direct contact with moisture and ensure its long-term preservation.
The combination of high-quality materials, controlled processes, and specific protection systems allows modern timber construction to be a durable, safe solution that is ready to withstand the passage of time with full guarantees.
