Among the many possible applications of wood, the fields of hygiene and healthcare are not the first that come to mind. Yet the material appears particularly well suited to these specific environments, and manufacturers are competing in innovation to offer an ever-growing range of solutions.

Long confined to residential or “traditional” commercial spaces, wood is now making its way into far more demanding projects, starting with healthcare facilities. Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and medical centres are subject to strict hygiene requirements, which for many years excluded this material, wrongly considered incompatible with sanitary imperatives. Yet recent scientific studies and industrial innovations converge toward the same conclusion: wood can meet the requirements of these sensitive environments while also providing a quality of use and comfort that are now widely recognised. This opens up new perspectives for architects and fit-out specialists.

Spaces to reinvent

Healthcare environments are subject to a complex equation. They must be functional, compliant with regulations and easy to maintain, while also responding to growing expectations in terms of comfort and spatial perception. Interior fit-out plays a central role here: circulation areas, waiting rooms, patient rooms, care stations and communal spaces all contribute fully to the lived experience. In this context, materials are no longer neutral. They influence light, acoustics, tactile perception, and even the way spaces are perceived by patients and healthcare staff. It is precisely on this ground that wood is returning to the debate after decades of exclusion.

Lessons from scientific studies

Several research programmes, notably supported by Codifab and conducted in collaboration with hospitals, have examined the behaviour of solid wood in the presence of bacteria. The results, still too little known among specifiers, challenge many preconceived ideas. Unlike smooth surfaces such as stainless steel or certain plastics, solid wood does not promote bacterial proliferation. In some cases, it even limits it.

The Emabois B programme, launched in 2017, analysed the behaviour of different solid wood species when exposed to bacteria commonly found in sensitive environments. The study demonstrates that on species such as beech, oak or pine, bacterial survival is significantly shorter than on inert surfaces such as stainless steel or plastic. The cellular structure of wood and its natural compounds, notably tannins and essential oils, create an environment that is unfavourable to bacteria. Researchers also showed that the porosity and hygroscopic capacity of wood help regulate ambient humidity, a key factor in limiting microbial development. The complementary Bois H2 study focused between 2017 and 2021 on real-life conditions of use in healthcare facilities. It tested solid wood panels subjected to frequent cleaning protocols and exposure to bacteria representative of hospital environments. The results confirm that properly treated wood, maintained according to suitable protocols, presents microbial contamination levels comparable to – and sometimes lower than – those of synthetic materials. This research also highlighted the importance of species and finish selection: certain natural or oiled finishes better preserve the antibacterial properties of wood while maintaining its warmth and texture.

Psychological well-being

Beyond these microbiological performances, solid wood also has an impact on the psychological and physiological well-being of occupants. Its visual presence, texture and ability to regulate ambient humidity contribute to stress reduction, now recognised as a key factor in healthcare pathways. In spaces where people – patients as well as caregivers – are central, wood therefore becomes a material with a dual value: sanitary and emotional. This does not mean, however, that it can be used everywhere or without careful consideration, particularly regarding the choice of wood species, areas of use and maintenance protocols. A logic that manufacturers themselves have fully integrated.

Industry transforms science into operational solutions

While science legitimises the use of wood, manufacturers are making these conclusions concrete and usable for architects and fit-out specialists. Manufacturers of panels, laminates and decorative surfaces have developed solutions capable of withstanding sanitary constraints while offering a wide variety of aesthetics and finishes. Dedicated ranges often incorporate specific treatments such as Sanitized or BioCote, which provide active protection against bacteria while remaining stable over time and compatible with hospital cleaning products.

At Abet Laminati, the Lamishield range perfectly illustrates this evolution. These antibacterial laminates integrate an active treatment directly into the surface, capable of eliminating up to 99.9% of bacteria according to international standards. For fit-out specialists, the material’s appeal lies in its versatility: wall cladding, fixed furniture, doors or worktops can all benefit from a surface that is decorative, resistant and hygienic without compromising design. These panels withstand frequent cleaning and disinfectant products while offering a wide palette of wood-effect or coloured patterns. A similar approach can be found at Polyrey, whose antibacterial laminates and compact panels are designed to withstand intensive cleaning and products used in hospital environments. The integrated treatments, often based on silver ions, act continuously and complement maintenance protocols without replacing them. The panels can be used for furniture, partitions or wall surfaces, allowing designers to maintain visual continuity with wood aesthetics even in areas subject to strict hygiene protocols.

Fundermax follows the same path with laminates and HPL surfaces featuring closed surfaces, tested according to European standards and guaranteeing significant bacterial elimination through ranges such as Max Resistance², Max Compact Interior Plus and Star Favorit. Their robustness and stability make them suitable solutions for high-traffic areas and spaces exposed to significant mechanical constraints.

Other panel manufacturers such as Egger or Unilin also offer antibacterial surfaces designed for furniture, storage units or technical partitions, with certified performances and installation methods familiar to fit-out professionals.

Thanks to these solutions, designers now have a complete arsenal for creating healthcare environments that are both welcoming and safe, while remaining within a logic of noble and sustainable materials.

Overcoming the last barriers

By combining the lessons of scientific studies with industrial innovations, it is now possible to consider wood not only as an aesthetic material, but also as a credible material for healthcare environments. This dual approach, both natural and technical, helps reassure specifiers: wooden surfaces can meet requirements in terms of hygiene, durability and intensive use. For architects and fit-out specialists, these advances offer concrete opportunities: consultation or reception furniture, wall coverings, structural fit-outs… The use of wood in healthcare spaces is no longer limited to questions of style or comfort; it is now part of a logic of sanitary efficiency and well-being, based on scientific evidence and adapted solutions. In all its forms, wood is thus becoming a fully relevant material for the healthcare spaces of tomorrow.

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