Energy Efficiency of Timber Homes

Compare thermal performance across different wall systems. Make informed decisions about your home's energy efficiency with our comprehensive calculator and expert guidance.

Why Energy Efficiency Matters

Investing in proper insulation and thermal performance pays off

Lower Energy Bills

Reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 60% with proper insulation and thermal envelope design.

Environmental Impact

Lower carbon footprint and reduced environmental impact through efficient energy usage and natural materials.

Comfort All Year

Maintain consistent indoor temperatures and humidity levels for superior living comfort in any season.

Property Value

Energy-efficient homes command higher resale values and are more attractive to modern buyers.

Building Standards

Meet or exceed current building regulations and prepare for future energy efficiency requirements.

Smart Technology

Compatible with smart home systems and renewable energy solutions like solar panels and heat pumps.

Energy efficiency calculator

Select wall material and thickness to see approximate U-value (heat loss per m²).

Wall material

Wall thickness, mm

Note: Values shown are approximate and intended for comparison only. Final thermal performance depends on wall assembly, insulation, climate zone, and building design.

Result

Approximate U-value

0.85W/m²·K

Qualitative insulation level

❄ Low insulation◑ Medium🔥 Better

❄ Low insulation

How to use the calculator

Follow these steps to interpret U-values and compare options for your project.

Choose a wall material

Select the wall technology that best matches your planned house: timber frame, solid log, round log or CLT.

Select a typical thickness

Pick one of the suggested wall thicknesses commonly used for that material in residential buildings.

Look at the U-value

Lower U-value means less heat loss through 1 m² of wall per degree of temperature difference.

Check the qualitative scale

Use the Low / Medium / Better scale to quickly see where your option sits compared to typical solutions.

Use as a comparison tool only

Treat the results as indicative. For building code, energy certificates or detailed design, request project-specific calculations.

Indicative comparison of wall options

Example combinations of wall material and thickness with approximate U-values for quick comparison.

Wall option	Thickness	Approx. U-value, W/m²·K	Indicative level
Timber frame with insulation, 200 mm	200 mm	0.59	◑ Medium
Profiled timber wall, 200 mm	200 mm	0.59	◑ Medium
Glued laminated timber wall, 200 mm	200 mm	0.59	◑ Medium
Log house (round log), 200 mm	200 mm	0.59	◑ Medium
Handcrafted log house (wild/rubbed log), 200 mm	200 mm	0.59	◑ Medium
CLT wall, 200 mm	200 mm	0.54	◑ Medium

Note: These values are indicative and simplified. Real U-values depend on full layer build-up, insulation type, air tightness and detailing.

Energy efficiency FAQ

Answers to common questions about U-values and using this calculator.

What is a U-value?

U-value shows how much heat passes through 1 m² of a construction per degree of temperature difference between inside and outside. The lower the number, the better the insulation.

Are these U-values exact for my future house?

No. They are approximate and based on simplified assumptions. Real performance depends on your full wall build-up, insulation package, airtightness and climate zone.

Can I use this calculator for building code compliance?

No. For compliance you need project-specific calculations prepared by an engineer or energy consultant according to your local regulations.

Which wall type is the most energy efficient?

There is no single best solution for every project. Use the calculator to compare tendencies between materials and thicknesses, then discuss with your designer or engineer.

Does insulation inside the wall change the result?

Yes. These values focus on the main structural wall material. Adding or changing insulation layers can significantly improve the final U-value.

Why do you show a qualitative scale (Low / Medium / Better)?

The qualitative scale helps non-technical clients quickly understand relative performance without going deep into building physics or local numeric requirements.