The paper is focused on a verification of the moisture content of fiberboard insulations in the multilayer loadbearing log wall designed with and without the vapor barrier. Experimental verification was done using a sample of the multilayer loadbearing log wall built in a research timber structure building under in-situ conditions. Indoor properties of the building met conditions for human occupancy. The experiment was performed for 2 years and 3 months. Aims of the fiberboard insulations moisture content verification in the walls were to verify the effect of vapor barrier in various periods of the year and verify excessive moisture in the fiberboard insulations, which is undesirable in terms of biodegradation. The results of measuring the moisture content showed that after a certain period, the difference of insulation moisture content in the wall including and excluding vapor barrier is negligible, as well as other results and conclusions for designing the composition of multilayer loadbearing log walls.

The global climate crisis has shifted the building industry toward the ecological use of materials, often based on renewable sources. Properties of such materials, as well as their behavior in structures, need to be constantly verified both theoretically and experimentally. This article focuses on the influence of vapor retarder on the moisture content of timber log wall structures with sheep wool insulation. Moisture content was verified experimentally during the period of over 2 years with monitoring sensors and insulation samples weighing. Results show that vapor retarder has a positive and statistically significant impact on the moisture content of sheep wool insulation and log structure, depending on the season and position of insulation in the structure. The moisture content of the log structure does not exceed 16%, confirming no risk of biodegradation during the monitored period. This case study can help further the knowledge of log structure design and provide insight into the hygrothermal properties of sandwich structures.

Windows represent a critical component of a building’s envelope, influencing not only thermal performance and natural interior lighting but also the overall environmental impact of the structure. This study applies life cycle assessment to evaluate the impacts of operable and fixed wood-based windows covering the system boundaries of the product stage and maintenance. Scenarios are modelled for different frame surface treatments, regarding varnish layers, paint presence, and aluminium cladding. The impact categories assessed include elements, fossils, and ozone layer depletion; potentials of global warming, acidification, eutrophication; photochemical ozone creation; and toxicity to humans, freshwater and marine water, as well as terrestrial ecotoxicity. The results indicate that the embodied environmental impact of the wood material alone remains relatively small while glazing and aluminium cladding dominate. Regarding the surface treatment, the varnish quantity as well as the presence of paint do not significantly influence the environmental impact. Differences between operable and fixed windows also reflect additional materials and hardware requirements, resulting in operable windows exhibiting higher environmental impacts across all assessed categories. The findings of this study highlight the important role of structural elements and additional components on the overall environmental impact regarding the complexity of a window.

Global climate crisis shifts the building industry towards ecological use of materials, often based on renewable sources. Properties of such materials, as well as their behavior in structures, need to be constantly verified both theoretically and experimentally. The article focuses on vapor retarder influence on moisture content of timber log peripheral wall structures with sheep wool insulation. Moisture content was verified experimentally during the period of over 2 years via monitoring sensors and insulation samples weighing. Results show vapor retarder has got a positive and statistically significant impact on moisture content of sheep wool insulation and log structure. This case study can help further the knowledge of log structure design and provide insight into hygrothermal properties of sandwich structures.