Timber Construction Materials in Modern Timber Buildings: Domestic and Global Market Trends

This study aims to analyze domestic and global market trends in timber construction from the perspective of timber building materials to assess the status of the domestic timber building industry infrastructure. The research methodology involved a comprehensive literature review and a market survey through interviews with industry professionals. The materials used in each part of a timber building, as well as the infrastructure of the timber construction industry, were investigated and reorganized from a material perspective. Key structural components such as roofs, connections, walls, floors, and foundations were studied, and the materials were summarized accordingly. The results highlight that timber construction materials, such as cross-laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber, are lightweight and flexible, allowing for shallow foundations and effective vibration absorption, which distinguishes them from reinforced concrete and steel structures. Despite the low self-sufficiency rate in wood and the lack of production infrastructure, domestic manufacturers in Korea have the technology to produce high-quality wood products using local timber. The recent removal of height restrictions on wood buildings has created opportunities for mid-rise and high-rise timber construction in cities, which is expected to boost demand for high-performance wood products and potentially lead to growth in the domestic timber construction market. These findings can contribute to the development of sustainable timber building solutions and promote the expansion of timber use in construction, supporting carbon neutrality goals.