Building with Timber: Locally Sourced, Locally Made
When it comes to building a home or commercial space in New Zealand, the choice of materials matters – not just for the look and feel of your build, but for its sustainability, performance, and how well it stands the test of time.
At Customkit, we’ve always believed timber is the ultimate building material — and with New Zealand’s long history of working with wood, it’s easy to see why.
Here’s why timber is the natural choice for Kiwis designing their dream barn-style home or rural building.
1. Sustainability and Low Carbon Footprint
New Zealand is known for its renewable plantation forests, with timber sourced mainly from sustainably managed radiata pine. For every tree harvested, several more are planted — making timber one of the most renewable construction materials available.
Timber stores carbon dioxide rather than emitting it.
Locally grown wood reduces the transport emissions that come with imported steel or concrete.
Choosing NZ-made timber supports an industry that actively contributes to climate-friendly building.
2. Warm, Healthy Living
Timber naturally regulates heat and moisture, making it ideal for New Zealand’s variable climate.
Excellent insulation properties keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Timber’s ability to “breathe” helps maintain healthier indoor air quality.
Unlike concrete or steel, timber feels warm to the touch — enhancing the comfort of your home.
3. Strength and Flexibility
New Zealand is a land of earthquakes and strong winds. Timber has an advantage here too.
Engineered timber products like LVL (laminated veneer lumber) are stronger than steel by weight, and highly reliable.
Timber’s natural flexibility allows it to absorb seismic forces better than brittle materials.
With the right treatment and detailing, NZ timber is highly durable and long-lasting.
4. Locally Made, Locally Supported
Every Customkit build uses timber that’s grown, harvested, and processed right here in New Zealand.
That means:
Supporting Kiwi foresters, mills, and manufacturers.
Access to reliable supply chains (no waiting for imports).
Materials designed for NZ conditions — from coastal climates to rural plains.
When you build with timber, you’re not just investing in your home — you’re investing in New Zealand.
5. Beauty That Lasts
Timber isn’t just practical. It’s beautiful.
Exposed trusses, feature beams, and natural finishes bring warmth and character that steel and concrete can’t replicate.
Timber blends effortlessly into rural and lifestyle block settings, making your home feel like part of the land.
Its timeless aesthetic means your build won’t date — it will age gracefully.
Why Customkit Builds With Timber
From our barn-style homes to our commercial kitsets, timber is at the heart of everything we do. We know its performance, its sustainability, and its beauty can’t be matched.
That’s why every Customkit project is designed to showcase timber at its best — from precision-cut portals to open-plan living spaces framed in wood.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
Whether you’re planning a rural retreat, lifestyle home, or commercial timber building, we’d love to show you what’s possible.
Browse our gallery and spark your imagination
