Warm cozy living room with Taiwanese timber elements.

Unlock the Power of Wood: Which Timber Will Transform Your Home?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into the science-backed guide to the best interior decoration timbers in Taiwan for a healthier, fragrant, and naturally beautiful home."

In an era where indoor air quality and sustainable living are paramount, the choices we make about our homes matter more than ever. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from building materials have become a significant concern, prompting a search for natural, healthier alternatives. Solid wood, with its unique properties, is emerging as a frontrunner in this quest.

Taiwan, blessed with lush natural forests and thriving timber plantations, offers a treasure trove of options for interior decoration. These timbers not only bring aesthetic appeal but also contribute to a healthier living environment through their natural compounds and bioactivities.

This article delves into a groundbreaking study profiling the volatile compounds emitted by five major Taiwanese timbers used in building and interior decoration: Chamaecyparis formosensis, Cryptomeria japonica, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana, and Taiwania cryptomerioides. Uncover how each timber impacts your home's air quality and overall atmosphere.

What Makes These Timbers Special? The Science of VOCs

Warm cozy living room with Taiwanese timber elements.

The study, employing advanced techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thermal desorption/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionization detector (TD/GC-MS/FID), meticulously analyzed the essential oil components and VOCs released by these timbers. The findings reveal significant differences in the types and quantities of VOCs each wood emits, impacting their suitability for different applications.

The study revealed the varying yields of essential oils, with C. obtusa var. formosana leading at 3.42%, closely followed by C. formosensis at 3.14%. C. japonica, on the other hand, had a significantly lower yield at just 0.95%. These differences in essential oil yield directly correlate with the intensity and type of fragrance each wood imparts to a living space.

Chamaecyparis formosensis (Taiwan Cypress): Known for its high essential oil yield and a distinctive fragrance due to compounds like myrtenal, this timber offers strong antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cedar): While having a lower essential oil yield, it boasts unique compounds like 1-epi-cubenol, providing antifungal, antimicrobial, and insecticidal benefits.
Cunninghamia lanceolata (China Fir): Rich in cedrol, this timber exhibits antimicrobial and anti-mite activities, contributing to a cleaner indoor environment.
Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana (Taiwan Hinoki): With the highest essential oil yield, its key component a-cadinol offers antitermitic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, making it a robust choice for long-term use.
Taiwania cryptomerioides (Taiwan Keteleeria): Dominated by a-cadinol, this timber provides antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-mite characteristics, enhancing overall indoor air quality.

One of the most intriguing findings was the change in VOC emission over time. Initially, C. formosensis emitted a greater amount of VOCs, giving off a stronger fragrance. However, after 24 weeks of indoor exposure, C. obtusa var. formosana surpassed it. This suggests that the aroma profile of a wooden interior can evolve, influencing the long-term ambiance of a home.

The Takeaway: Choosing the Right Timber for Your Home

Selecting the right timber for your home is more than an aesthetic decision; it's a choice that impacts your health, well-being, and the environment. These Taiwanese timbers offer a unique combination of fragrance, bioactivity, and sustainability, making them ideal materials for creating a healthy and inviting living space. By understanding the science behind VOC emissions and essential oil composition, you can make informed decisions that transform your home into a sanctuary of natural beauty and wellness.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10086-018-1773-1, Alternate LINK

Title: Profiling Of Volatile Compounds From Five Interior Decoration Timbers In Taiwan Using Td/Gc–Ms/Fid

Subject: Biomaterials

Journal: Journal of Wood Science

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Min-Jay Chung, Sen-Sung Cheng, Chun-Ya Lin, Shang-Tzen Chang

Published: 2018-11-15

Everything You Need To Know

What are the specific types of wood discussed?

The article focuses on five Taiwanese timbers: Chamaecyparis formosensis, Cryptomeria japonica, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana, and Taiwania cryptomerioides. These timbers are used in building and interior decoration. They are specifically chosen for their unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the impact they have on air quality, health, and ambiance. Each timber has different compounds and fragrance impacts, making them suitable for various applications.

What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and why are they relevant?

VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are emitted by building materials, including wood. These compounds can affect indoor air quality. The article highlights how the five timbers differ in the types and quantities of VOCs they release. The study uses gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thermal desorption/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionization detector (TD/GC-MS/FID) to analyze essential oils and VOCs emitted by the timbers. Understanding these emissions helps in selecting the right timber for a healthier living environment.

What are the specific benefits of each type of timber?

Each of the five timbers offers unique benefits. Chamaecyparis formosensis (Taiwan Cypress) has strong antifungal and antimicrobial properties due to compounds like myrtenal. Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cedar), despite lower essential oil yield, offers antifungal, antimicrobial, and insecticidal benefits from compounds like 1-epi-cubenol. Cunninghamia lanceolata (China Fir) provides antimicrobial and anti-mite activities with cedrol. Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana (Taiwan Hinoki) is robust with antitermitic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, due to its high essential oil yield, with key component a-cadinol. Taiwania cryptomerioides (Taiwan Keteleeria), also dominated by a-cadinol, provides antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-mite characteristics, improving overall indoor air quality.

How do the essential oil yields differ among the timbers, and what is the significance of this?

The essential oil yield varies significantly among the timbers. C. obtusa var. formosana has the highest yield at 3.42%, followed by C. formosensis at 3.14%. C. japonica has a much lower yield at 0.95%. These differences directly correlate with the intensity and type of fragrance each wood provides. The initial VOC emissions and fragrance strength can change over time, impacting the long-term ambiance of a home. For instance, initially, C. formosensis emitted a greater amount of VOCs, but after 24 weeks of indoor exposure, C. obtusa var. formosana surpassed it.

Why is choosing the right timber important for home improvement?

Choosing the right timber is a key decision affecting health, well-being, and the environment. These Taiwanese timbers provide a mix of fragrance, bioactivity, and sustainability, making them excellent for creating a healthy living space. The article emphasizes understanding the science behind VOC emissions and essential oil composition to make informed choices. This understanding helps transform a home into a space of natural beauty and wellness, promoting healthier indoor air quality and sustainable living.