Evaluation of Slovenian contemporary timber construction

Considering the growing importance of energy-efficient building methods timber construction will play an increasingly important role in the future. Today wooden buildings in Slovenia represent just a small percentage of all domestic buildings constructed. Currently the growing trend towards wooden pre-fabricated houses is positive. This study is focused on the reasons pertaining to wooden building and the possibilities of increasing the use of timber in Slovenia. Issues like public attitude towards wooden buildings and its advantages were examined by means of Slovenian public opinion survey. The survey revealed the lack of knowledge about wooden buildings and the lack of environmental awareness. The positive trend towards wooden construction is dictated by international guidelines, where wooden building is an important starting point not only for low-energy, but also low-emission building with exceptional health and safety features. Renewable building materials should already be integrated into the early phases of building planning. It is expected that in the next years there will be a shortage of detached houses in Slovenia, hence an increase in the marked share of wood construction is predicted and there is an increasing need for renovation which is one of the most extensive tasks we will face in the coming years. So as to further enhance the interest in wooden buildings a specialized portal devoted to wood building in Slovenia has been established