We are summarizing here, in ready-reference from, some of Dr. Anton Schneider’s research findings; that wood is the best building material:
WOOD “BREATHES”: Wood has the ability to breathe and offer a natural and regular ventilation of rooms in a home far oftener than other building materials.
WOOD AND HUMIDITY: The moisture content of wood always matches air humidity, which results in natural regulation and stabilization of humidity.
WOOD FILTRATION: In passing through wood, air is filtered and purified because, like wool, wood has a detoxicating effect. Wood even removes unpleasant odors quickly.
WOOD SCENT: Wood disseminates a pleasant, refreshing scent.
WOOD AND AIR IONIZATION: Vital oxygen ions are not filtered out or discharged in a wooden house as they are by other building materials which are electric conductors or insulators. In a wooden house is thus enriched with small ions which de-ionise the harmfull and aggressive large ions in dust and bacteria.
WOOD AND ELECTRIC FIELDS: The electrical fields that exist in air in the free atmosphere are broken down by building materials. With wood, no zero-fields are created due to the diffusion of the air together with the ability of ions to pass through the wood. With other building materials conditions are created that are disorded and contrary to the natural states of magnetism, ionization and charging that give a raw electrical climate. This can lead to, amongst other things, nervousness, circulatory and digestive disorders, headaches and sleeping problems.
WOOD AND SOUND ABSORPTION: The pleasant sound characteristics of wood are well known from musical instruments. In wooden houses these properties give a calming and pleasant atmosphere. Entirely different are the sharp sounds and reverberations in the room of a house built of hard materials.
WOOD SURFACE TEMPERATURE: Because of its porosity and, accordingly, its low capacity for heat transference, wood surfaces maintain a relatively stable relationship to room temperatures, which gives a physiologically agreeable effect. Other benefits from this stable relationship: a reduction in heating cost, reduced drafts and movement of dust (along with germs and sources of infection).
WOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT: Wood creates no environment problems. It improves the climate, entails no health problems.
Dr. Schneider writes: “There is hardly anything more important for mankind than the protection of environment and life. The environment closest to us is made of our homes and our workplaces: this environment is already largely damages”.
*Sources: "Wood, people and health" Muir Publishing Co. Inc. 164, Middle Creek Rd, Cosby, TN 37722, U.S.A