Buildings
Structure, lining, insulation or finish depending on family.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength54
Heat resistance32
Fire performance34
Insulation56
Workability88
Circularity76
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Quick answers
Is Wood non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: D–B depending on product / treatment. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Wood insulate?
Thermal mark 56/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~0.1–0.2 W/m·K along vs across grain.
What is the density band?
0.3–0.8 g/cm³ typical
How is it made?
Origin story: Palaeolithic tools; CLT 1990s Austria (Global forests / Graz).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 76/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
chars ~200–300 °C; does not melt
heat 32 · fire 34
Wood earns its keep in systems: a beam, a batt, a fibre blend, a coated steel — rarely a lone coupon.
Products below are cultural landmarks as much as SKUs.
Sectors
Transport
Mass, fire and fatigue rewrite the grade list.
Energy
Heat, voltage and hydrogen compatibility.
Consumer
The volume that pays for the mill.
Medical / food
When allowed — extractables and allergies matter.
Defence / safety
Ballistics, FR clothing, fire stops.
Products
Hōryū-ji
7th c.
Stave church
12th c.
Balloon frame
1830s
CLT panel
1990s
Mosquito bomber
WWII
Glulam arch
20th c.
Ise shrine rebuild
ritual
Oak ship
age of sail
Pairings
steel
The incombustible frame alternative.
concrete
Mass and fire cover vs carbon debate.
mineral-wool
The cavity insulation timber walls need.
gypsum-board
The usual 30–60 min lining on timber.
If the pairing is wrong, the material will be blamed for a system fault.
Keep exploring
More in Ceramics & wood
🪟
Glass
Frozen silicate liquid — windows, bottles, fibres and a Euroclass A1 skin that still shatters and melts in fire.
Overall 58 💎Technical ceramics
Crystalline oxides and carbides for heat, wear and electronics — not the mug on the desk.
Overall 64 🏗️Concrete
The hydraulic ceramic of cities — cement, water, rock and usually steel, with a fire story better than exposed steel.
Overall 57 🎋Bamboo
A fast grass culm sold as timber — scaffolding, flooring and a glue story that decides the indoor air.
Overall 55