Steel framing uses 10 times more energy than timber

Numerous international studies have confirmed that timber framing is a more environmentally responsible way to build compared with steel.

Here is a summary of the facts:

To produce a houselot of timber framing takes approximately 3.4 mega joules per kilogram in energy, whereas the same amount of steel framing takes 34 mega joules per kilogram. (Source: Think Timber Frame)

Making steel requires burning non-renewable fossil fuels at extremely high temperatures, using large amounts of energy and releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.

Production of steel generates a high level of CO2 whereas wood has a negative carbon footprint. Life cycle analysis (from cradle to grave) is recognised by the New Zealand Green Building Council as the accepted methodology for comparing the environmental impact of building materials. By this measure, wood is a net absorber of carbon.

Even when a landfill option is assumed for the end of life scenario, wood has carbon storage benefits. (LCA carried out by SCION)
Wood is the ultimate renewable building material when it is produced from sustainable forests. As trees are cut down, more are planted so that a constant supply is generated.

More than 80% of the steel for framing produced by New Zealand's biggest steel producer comes from virgin iron sands from the west coast of the North Island. Is this as renewable as farmed radiata pine?

Wood is natural, renewable, sustainable and carbon neutral. According to a study by the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management, it is possible to achieve an 86% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the amount of timber specified in a house. (Source: G Magazine)