How much carbon does a timber building store?

A typical timber-framed house stores 15–30 tonnes of CO₂ in its structural timber alone. A multi-storey CLT building stores 100–300 kg CO₂ per square metre of floor area in its timber structure.

A typical timber-framed house stores 15–30 tonnes of CO₂ in its structural timber alone. A multi-storey CLT building stores 100–300 kg CO₂ per square metre of floor area in its timber structure. For context, the average UK person emits approximately 5.5 tonnes CO₂ per year — so a timber house stores the equivalent of 3–6 years of one person's total carbon emissions. This stored carbon remains locked in the building for its entire service life (60–100+ years).

Why this matters

This question relates to Net Zero Buildings: The Role of Timber in Decarbonisation, which covers the broader topic in detail. Understanding this specific aspect helps architects, builders, and timber dealers make informed specification decisions.

For full context and additional technical detail, see our comprehensive guide:

→ Net Zero Buildings: The Role of Timber in Decarbonisation

Related questions

• How does timber help achieve net zero buildings?
• What is the difference between operational and embodied carbon?
• Is timber construction truly carbon negative?

About this answer

This answer is part of the PuurModulair Knowledge Base — comprehensive timber specification guidance for architects, builders, and dealers across the UK, EU, and Scandinavia.