When using wood as a building material, it is important to protect the wood from moisture. As wood is an organic material, it can be decomposed by fungi and microorganisms if exposed to moisture for long periods, which leads to the destruction of the structure and thus to a loss of load-bearing capacity. Therefore, when using wood in construction, care must be taken during the planning and construction stages to ensure that it is protected from weather and living-related moisture (e.g. in the bathroom) by means of structural measures. The use of chemical agents to protect wood from moisture and pests (e.g. Xyladecor), which was very popular in the last century, is largely avoided nowadays due to the environmentally harmful and unhealthy properties of these substances. 

To see and experience a modern solid timber house up close, all you need to do in Hamburg is take the S-Bahn to Wilhelmsburg. A 5-storey solid timber residential building, the so-called WOODCUBE, was erected there in 2013 as part of the International Building Exhibition IBA Hamburg. This building demonstrates how modern construction and living can work with sustainable raw materials.