WOOD THAT REMAINS COOLER THAN SURROUNDING TEMPERATURE
WOOD THAT REMAINS COOLER THAN SURROUNDING TEMPERATURE
Wooden material is an organic, hygroscopic and anisotropic. It is thermal, acoustic, electrical, mechanical, aesthetic, working, etc. Properties are very suitable to use, it is possible to build a comfortable house using only wooden products. For the long term durability of historical wooden buildings, constructors and users who deal with this subject have to know wood properties exactly.
Thermal Property
Wood does not practically expand against heat. On the contrary, by the effect of heat, it dries out and gains strength. The only time wood expands a little is when the humidity level is below 0%, and this is only scientifically significant. In practice, the humidity level of wood does not drop under 5% even in the driest climate. Specific heat of wood is high. That means a high amount of energy is needed to increase and decrease the temperature of one-kilogram of wood. Wood requires almost twice the amount of heat energy than stones and concrete; similarly, three times of energy is needed for heating or cooling steel. (1)
Electrical Property
Resistance to the electrical current of completely dry wood is equal to that of phenol formaldehyde. An oven dried wood is a very good electrical insulator. Static electricity that is dangerous for human health is not observed in wood unlike metal, plastic and other materials. For this reason, wood is preferred as a healthy material.
Strength of Wood
Although wood is a light material, its strength is quite high. For this kind of properties, wood and laminated wood is used in wide-gap constructions like health centres and sports halls.
Although wood has oxidation characteristics in some way, it is not the kind of oxidation seen in metals. Metals get rust, wood doesn’t.
Acoustic Property
Sound isolation is based on the mass of the surface. Wood, as light material, is not very perfect for sound isolation; But it is ideal for sound absorption. Wood prevents echo and noise by absorbing sound. (2)
Aesthetic Property
It is easy to repair and maintain wood. While old woods can be renewed by special touches other materials are highly difficult and costly to maintain and to repair. It can be painted to darker colours of varnished and can be given bright or mat touches.
A New Innovative Form of Wood
Researchers in the US have created super-strong wood building material which remains cooler than its surrounding temperature. It is made up of using cellulose nanofibers whose mechanical strength per weight of this wood is stronger than steel. On testing it in a farm in US’ Arizona, researchers found it stayed on an average five or six degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the ambient air temperature. (3)
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To keep your ambience more warm, Read Air Purification part 1 & part 2