Evaluation of the Significance of Timber as a Source of Sustainable Building Material in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, timber as sustainable building material is found in large quantities and varieties. As a construction material, it has come to drive the advancement of the construction process. Based on various purposes of timber utilization in building projects, timber usage in building can be classified as structural, functional and decorative/aesthetics. It possesses qualities that have made it a material of choice in millennia. The study highlights the importance of timber as a sustainable building material for residential buildings. The study was carried out in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State and a qualitative research method was adopted which involves the professionals in the construction industry who are currently involved in construction projects. A Total of 250 structured questionnaires were administered using the stratified random sampling methods, whereby 240 questionnaires were returned. The data collected was analysed using descriptive methods. The result shows that 69.3% of all the sampled professionals strongly agree that timber is very valuable and a sustainable building material for residential building. The study recommends timber as an essential building material that is very versatile, renewable and can be useful in all building types. Therefore, the use of timber should be highly encouraged in the building industry to maintain its functionality and durability in building industry.