To some, wood might just be a natural resource, but others may see it as something more than that. In that case, you might have questions such as, what are the benefits of natural wood? Why is wood used so widely? Does wood have an impact on people’s well-being? Should I consider using a wood finish? In this blog post, we will dive into this topic and answer your questions.
Natural wood cladding is great. It is commonly used as a decor, to add functionality and breathe life into many things in various instances. Wood, in general, has a lot to offer. It can be customized for many different needs, making it a great, all-around material. No wonder, that wood has already been used for centuries.
The historical importance of wood
Wood as a material has definitely stood the test of time. It’s rather easy to gather and process, which is one of the main reasons why it’s been historically preferred. The first recorded use of wood as a material in construction was more than 10,000 years ago, which goes to show that wooden materials will always be useful and trendy.
Wood, over many centuries, has been used to create and decorate luxurious as well as rather humble buildings. Further proving, how versatile it truly is. Even when there are other building materials used wood almost always finds its way in. Whether it’d be on the roof, the doorframes, or anything else.
In the current times, wood hasn’t been forgotten. In fact, it is as popular as ever. Things around the world are shifting toward using sustainable and renewable resources, and wood checks both of those boxes. Therefore, making it the building material of choice, for the foreseeable future.
The historical importance of wood
Wood has been used in the making of many things over the years. Over the years there have been many traditions regarding the use of natural wood. Wood possesses many great properties such as thermal and acoustic insulation, stability in structure, fire resistance (in certain types of wood), and more.
Buildings that rank among some of the oldest in the whole world have been built using wood, on the exterior as well as the interior. Take for example the Hōryū-ji Buddhist temple in Japan. It was built in the year 607 AD. And is regarded as the oldest wooden building. Although, it was renovated 1300 years after its initial construction, the fact that it still holds strong to this day goes to show that wood is a supreme and sustainable material, that can not be underestimated or overlooked.
In fact, back in the day wood was the go-to material and the most logical choice for anyone that was looking to build something. Many European countries used wood cladding in monasteries and other buildings, because of its functional gain and also because it can be easily made into a work of art at the same time. Wood was also commonly used in Asian monasteries in countries such as China and Japan.
These two countries are filled with wooden monasteries, they chose wood mainly because of its thermal insulation properties, structural stability as well as it’s aura which makes the space more desirable to spend time in. In the days when religion was heavily widespread and a part of daily life, the fact that the people that built the temples chose wood instead of other materials for their places of worship, definitely says something about the value wood has.
The historical importance of wood
It’s a well-known fact that trees are vital to our existence and health, but does wooden cladding also have an impact on a person? Turns out it does…
For starters, wood improves the air quality in indoor spaces and it prevents things such as mold, allergens, and dust from building up. Wooden cladding for interiors can also alleviate anxiety and fatigue, while also boosting a person’s creativity, attention span and helping you recharge your natural energy. Decorating your room with wooden cladding will also improve sleep quality.
Interestingly, the tone of the wood is also of importance. Lighter shades will have a better effect on a person’s psychological state rather than darker ones.
Though, wood is a great natural and healthy option for interior decorating it is quite important to note that an overwhelming use of harsh chemicals to treat wood can reduce its natural health benefits. Here at 4plus, we use thermo treatment for our wooden products, which is a completely natural process, that still does the job of making the material more durable perfectly.
We also use varnish and paint to add pigment to our products, for those who are looking for alternatives to natural wooden colors. However, we remain careful in the process of applying it, to ensure that our products maintain their natural aesthetic and benefits.
Why and how to use wooden cladding in interior design?
First off, why to consider natural wooden cladding for your interiors? During the previous and current decades, wood has made its case for being one of the most prominent construction materials for modern buildings. 20 to 30 years ago, when the construction of modern-type buildings began, there was a trend of using glass and concrete, however now wood has made its way back in the rotation, because of the technological advances which have made wood as durable and fire-resistant as titanium or steel.
The most prominent countries to incorporate wood into their modern architecture have been Nordic countries, especially Scandinavian ones, however, the Baltics aren’t that far behind. Maybe it can be attributed to the fact that all of these countries are very rich in forests, but that shouldn’t be the main determining factor for using wood in interior design elsewhere. I’ll display some pictures here to set an example, after you look at them, think about how comfy and natural it looks and whether it would enhance your vibe if you were to spend time in such places instead of a regular space.
Although in many ways we’ve distanced from nature as a society, we are still attracted to it, and incorporating elements of it in our living and work spaces will only make us feel better and breathe in that natural and careless feel that we need so much in our daily urban lives.
Now that we’ve looked at some examples of how wood is used in modern interiors, it’s time to give you a couple ideas on how you could use wood to decorate and design your own interior spaces.
Using natural wood panels is a great place to start. These types are typically intended for walls, and can serve as a great decor and really bring that light and cozy feeling to your space.
Using natural wood wall panels can also be great for improving acoustics in your room, that is, if you settle for acoustic panels to decorate your walls. The great thing about these acoustical panels is that they will fulfill two functions at once, the two being – decoration and improved acoustics.
You can also use acoustic ceiling panels to further improve acoustics in your space. By the look of them, they are minimalistic but not bland, so they will also blend well in your interior, being noticeable but not being the center of attention.
Both, acoustic and natural wood wall panels, are great not only for residential spaces but also for public ones such as offices and meeting rooms. Therefore, making it a great and functional, all-around decor, that will provide the final touch that you need.
In conclusion
Wood has already been around for multiple centuries and the discontinuation of its usage is nowhere in sight, especially today with renewable resources being more and more preferred. It’s an underrated element that most of us may take for granted, but there is a notable difference between spending your days surrounded by concrete and glass or by nice and cozy wooden cladding.
Given the historical context, people have always used wood to enhance the aura of certain places and that angle remains relevant to this day, so why not carry on with the tradition? It has been empirically shown that wood has a positive impact on people’s well-being and has certain benefits regarding a person’s mental state.
Aside from the obvious benefits that wood provides in terms of mental state, it is also unique as a material if you take into account that it isn’t human-made but is pre-existing in nature. It is strong and durable, light and easy to process and treat.
What concerns the use of wood finish in interior design, also cannot be underestimated. It is subtle and toned down, however, it will bring out the best in your interior and provide many other benefits due to its natural properties such as thermal insulation and improved acoustics, among others.
To close off, I want you to remember all of the benefits and ways how you can style and incorporate it in the places that need it. I hope you gained more of an understanding regarding this topic and gained some inspiration for your own interior design needs. In short, wood is timeless and I hope you keep it in the back of your mind and choose it for your home or office as well because, with a wood finish, you cannot go wrong.
