Wood-framed construction is on the rise once again. Long a standard of residential construction, the popularity of wood-framed construction is increasingly expanding to commercial and mixed-use developments as well. This nationwide trend is particularly booming in the local Atlanta markets, including a new project in the Ponce City Market and recent construction near Atlanta Station.
These developments will likely be surprising to some, as lumber was one of the key products most affected by price escalation and supply chain disruptions during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, prices of lumber have begun to return to normal, while steel mill products consistently remain one of the most-impacted categories of products.
While not only once again reliable and affordable, to some, the increase in wood-framed construction can be attributable to both an increased interest in locally-sourced materials, as well as a desire for more environmentally sustainable products.
The Ponce City Market project, for instance, is utilizing lumber sourced directly from Georgia, rather than imported from Canada or a number of European countries from which much commercial lumber is traditionally exported. Purchasing such locally-sourced materials not only boosts the local economy, but cuts down on both the economic and environmental impacts of shipping from overseas.
With such synergistic benefits expect to see more wood-framed construction on the horizon.
