Cement-bonded wood products are used in construction since the beginning of the 20th century. Until today, however, they are essentially applied as non-structural finishing layers, e.g. as support for stucco, as fire protection or acoustic insulation panels, providing good fire resistance, thermal and acoustic insulation properties with a relatively low and thus, structurally advantageous material density. If to be applied structurally, these materials should not be regarded as substitution material for regular structural concrete but rather be used in composite elements. They also exhibit rather low stiffness and strength properties. Structural wood-cement compounds (WCCs) may also provide further functional features e.g. contributing to thermal and acoustic insulation or fire protection, thereby compensating for their reduced mechanical properties. The contribution presents results from different tests performed with the objective to determine short- and long-term mechanical properties, thermal insulation, specific heat capacity, acoustic insulation, and combustibility features of WCC-based constructions. It further examines and assesses the economic and ecological potential of WCC-based structural elements and discusses potential challenges in the structural use of WCCs.