Warmth, Strength, Sustainability: Why We Chose Wood for our project in Valleyfield

As part of our Merlo project in Valleyfield, we made the choice to build entirely with wood. This is not a trivial decision, but a deliberate one, guided by our desire to create sustainable living environments that meet both current and future needs. As a building material, wood offers numerous advantages that make it especially appealing for residential and community developments. Here's why it was a natural choice for us.

A Versatile Material That Speeds Up Construction

One of the major benefits of wood is how quickly it can be implemented. Thanks to the prefabrication of elements in the factory, work on site can progress much faster, helping to reduce construction timelines and limit unexpected delays.

Wood is also a highly effective natural insulator — it’s 15 times more insulating than concrete. This helps improve the building’s energy performance and lower overall operating costs.

Proven Strength and Durability 

Contrary to popular belief, wood is extremely strong and durable. It can withstand earthquakes, strong winds, and harsh weather. Used for centuries in both urban and rural settings, it has stood the test of time.

When properly designed and maintained, a wooden building ages beautifully while preserving its natural charm.

A Warm, Modern Aesthetic

Wood offers great architectural flexibility. It suits a wide range of designs — from minimalist to bold. It’s ideal for creating large open spaces, encouraging natural light, and providing a warm, inviting atmosphere.

An Environmentally Responsible Choice

Building with wood is also a tangible gesture toward environmental responsibility. Wood is renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. It captures and stores CO₂ throughout its life cycle, thereby reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

In a world where sustainable real estate is increasingly important, wood stands out as a key ally in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the construction sector.

Everyday Comfort

Wood is a natural material that contributes to a healthy indoor environment. It helps regulate humidity, stabilizes indoor temperatures, and offers comfortable thermal performance year-round.

When used as glued-laminated timber, it also provides good fire resistance, making it a safe option for buildings open to the public.

Conclusion

We are proud to showcase this expertise through our Merlo project. Wood construction allows us to combine performance, sustainability, and quality of life — three values that are central to all our projects.

The Merlo project is constantly evolving, and we still have so much to share. Follow us on social media to stay in the loop!