Helping Builders make informed material choices

‘Did you know the average timber-framed house grows back in 150 seconds?’ This means there is enough sustainable timber production through growth and replanting in Australia to produce a three-bedroom house every few minutes. Bowens sat down with Kersten Gentle from Carbon Warrior to discuss certified timber, along with Bowens’ latest eCommerce offering, the carbon calculator.

Builders are facing growing pressure around sustainability and compliance, often without clear, practical tools. In an industry first, Bowens has launched a carbon calculator that instantly tallies carbon stored for life, and CO₂ removed from the atmosphere, giving builders measurable, upfront insights into the benefits of timber.

“The Bowens carbon calculator empowers builders by giving them instant, credible carbon data at point of purchase,” said Bowens’ Director, Andy Bowen. “This will help them make informed material choices, meet growing sustainability expectations and confidently explain the environmental impact of their builds to clients.”

By making timber’s environmental benefits visible on the product page, it allows builders to provide clients, developers and governing bodies with credible information. For most, sustainability feels like another layer of complexity, however, the calculator can help material selection become part of a collaborative, informed decision. It can also demonstrate that using timber is, in fact, a simple way to build more sustainably.

Like Kersten said, the average timber-framed house grows back in 150 seconds. It’s a reminder that building with timber supports a regenerative system rather than depleting it.

Carbon Warriors at a timber plantation.

Reframing timber through industry experience

Speaking with Kersten, it becomes immediately clear she knows and loves the construction industry, particularly the role certified timber can play in improving environmental outcomes.

‘The biggest financial investment the average Aussie makes is their house. If they choose certified timber to build with, they can guarantee it’s also the biggest environmental investment they’ll ever make in their lifetime.’ Kersten said. ‘You can be sitting on the couch in a timber-framed home and know you’ve done your bit for the environment.’

When timber is harvested and used in buildings, that carbon remains locked away for the life of the structure, effectively turning homes into long-term carbon stores rather than carbon emitters.

For Kersten, tools like Bowens’ carbon calculator are essential in shifting perceptions and making sustainability accessible rather than intimidating.

“People believe that to address climate needs, you have to spend a bucketload of money. We’re saying all you need to do is use timber and it’ll reduce emissions,” Kersten said.

It is really that simple. That’s because timber continues to deliver environmental benefits long after it’s harvested, a fact often overlooked in sustainability conversations.

How the Bowens Carbon Calculator Works

The Bowens carbon calculator is designed to translate the science behind timber into clear, usable measurements for builders. The calculation is based on the weight of the timber product and uses established carbon science to ensure accurate results. For every kilogram of timber, approximately 0.42 kg of carbon remains locked away for the life of the product. This represents roughly 1.54 kg of CO₂ removed from the atmosphere.

“Ultimately, the calculator itself is translating timber quantities into real-world carbon outcomes, and it’s doing that in real time directly on our timber product pages,” said Andy.

By embedding the tool where purchasing decisions are made, it shows customers just how valuable this natural resource is. Builders can quickly understand environmental impact upfront and easily communicate these benefits to their clients. It also supports future energy and environmental reporting requirements, helping builders meet obligations without added complexity.

image of the Bowens App on a mobile phone displaying the new carbon calculator. Tree image in the background

Why this tool matters now

Bowens Carbon Calculator is a first-of-its-kind tool within the industry, designed not to further burden builders, but to empower them. It aims to help builders lead sustainability conversations rather than react to them. More importantly, it reinforces the benefits of using timber and how it can shape a more resilient and responsible future for the building industry.

“Sustainability in construction is moving fast, and with the increasing need to report on carbon emissions, builders will be expected to justify their product selection,” Andy said.

If you are interested in FSC certified timber, contact our North Melbourne store for quick and easy sourcing or for more information.

An Industry First: Bowens Carbon Calculator

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