Wood Material
Wood is a renewable resource
Wood is obviously a very sustainable material, especially when it is sustainably harvested via the proper extraction methods, and the foresight of controlling the extraction so harvesting can continue indefinitely.
Harvesting Frequency
The harvesting frequency of ‘wood’ varies based on species used. For softwood, which we typically source as ‘core’ material in our products, the harvesting cycle is typically 30-40 years. The hardwood species, used as face material on our flooring, and in some of our Textura products, have a sustainable removal cycle of between 60-80 years. We only work with sustainably managed sources and materials, which highlight replanting to ensure forest health over time.
How it is processed
Depending on the product that the ‘wood’ goes into, the material is either cut into solid stock, veneers are rotary peeled from solid logs, or wood ‘dust’ is sourced as a by-product through other milling operations.
Benefits to Ecosystem
Wood is typically is considered a low-embodied energy material, in that it uses less energy to process than other common alternatives like vinyl, tile/stone, or concrete – which translates into fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Using FSC-certified materials, which we strive to use when available, helps support ecosystems, by helping maintain habitats, encouraging mixed species planting and it biodiversity, and it avoids clear-cutting which can cause significant problems related to soil stability and runoff.
product life-cycle
Being made of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, wood is completely biodegradable, as microbes, fungi, and insects can break down the material naturally. Processed woods (mdf and particleboard) are typically not considered biodegradable, due to the addition of resins and adhesives in the admixture, but in durable products that last a long time and/or can be refinished, there is a value benefit.
Carbon Sequestration data
Carbon sequestration rates vary based on whether the material is a softwood or hardwood, which is more specifically tied to woods’ growth rate, its’ density, and its longevity in use. Softwoods grow faster and absorb more CO² in the earlier years or growth, while hardwoods grow more slowly but reach a higher biomass, effectively storing more carbon over their lifetime. 1m³ of oak stores approximately 1.1 tons of CO², while an equal amount of Pine (a softwood) stores approximately0.9 tons of CO². Ultimately, sustainably harvested softwood sequester more carbon annually per hectare (due to the fast growth and forest density), than does a mixed hardwood forest, but on the flipside, a mixed hardwood forest support greater biodiversity which has its own benefits.
Circularity
Wood is considered a circular material, but only when it is managed and used responsibly. In this situation, wood is renewable, it can be reused, recycled, and downcycled (put into fiberboard and/or sued as a biofuel).