I figure if Standale Lumber is going to be getting into this Green Scene I need to be more conscious of using these products myself.

I'm currently in the process of staining my deck and railings at my home. I am going to be using a new product called Soy Guard.

SoyGuard is a Premium Water Repellent & Sealer that comes from a natural soybean oil derivitive. It is non-toxic product with low odor.

I'm currently looking into some Green Stains, also, and will update you with before and after pictures of my deck.

Does anyone else have any experience with SoyGuard?

A Monday Morning in the life of Buzz started yesterday when I received an email from Eric Hughes with Image Design who is the designer on Adam Bearup's Herkelrath Project.

Eric's email stated that Adam did NOT want Low E glass on the south and eastern facings of the home so they could get more solar gain from the windows.

Unfortunately, the windows have been ordered for a few weeks with Low E specifications. This came as quite a surprise/shock! So I dumped Mary off the phone, very impolitely I might add, and got to work putting out my

Monday Morning Fire.

With Eric's help and help from the representative at Anderson Windows the changes were made and hopefully do not delay the project.

The reason behind the Non Low E glass is that the homeowner is designing a passive solar home. The Low E glass is a coating that is placed on the glass. The coating serves to reduce the amount of solar gain negating some of the passive solar traits the homeowner desired. Stupid me, I should have known that! A lesson that won't be forgotten! If you are building a passive solar home you may want to research the differences between heat gain and loss through windows.

This picture from Jeldwen Windows Website demonstrates how low e glass works on a warm day. Heat and Ultra Violet Rays (UVA) which are damaging are reflected while Healthy, visible light is allowed to pass through.

Argon insulated windows are double pane windows filled with Argon between the panes. The Argon is a gas that is denser than air so it decreases the movement of heat through the space.Anderson High performance insulated windows.

We are replacing the Low E windows with an Anderson High Performance window, providing the homeowner with argon insulated double pane glass on the south and east side of the home. We will still supply Low E on the North and Western exposed sides of the home.

I think we put this fire out with awesome cooperation between Team Hybrid, Team Standale and Team Anderson.It is Monday's like this that get me out of bed in the morning!

What's all the Buzz with Green???

Growing up in a family in the lumber business I have naturally been around wood all my life. Throughout the past 55 years the Standale Lumber Family has seen many trends come and go. We have always adapted our family and company to respond to the trends in the construction industry. With each new trend we learn as much as possible and help others learn.

The current trend, especially in Michigan, is towards Green Building. Unfortunately, 30 years ago during the energy crises, there were similar discussions regarding energy savings. Here we are 30 years later and we have not progressed that far. Green Building is a concept whose time is here and enough people are finally getting involved that it is going to have a very positive effect on our environment.

As I learn about all the "new" construction products and what makes them green it is natural for me to keep revisiting wood, my time honored friend,  as the ultimate green product.

What makes a product green? Green products minimize the impact on our environment; they are reusable, renewable and sustainable.

Wood is the answer. Wood is the most reusable, sustainable and renewable product available. Wood  helps reduce the greenhouse effect by storing carbon by taking it from CO2 in the atmosphere.

The Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM) was developed to study purchasing and using renewable materials. Corrim has some terrific results from research showing the "green-ness" of wood.

 The above diagram taken from Corrim.org is a great diagram regarding the bioshpere cycle and where energy comes out and goes in the cycle. Wood takes an active role throughout each step of the cycle.

Wood is a natural Green product especially because of the way it helps our environment. Don't overlook it!

In the 1990's the US planted more trees than it harvested. We certainly "Have Wood"!

The Grand Rapids Home Builders Association is hosting a free GREEN seminar this Saturday, May 19 from 10:30 - Noon. The topic for the seminar is : Building A Green Home.

The GR HBA is featuring four experts explaining what it takes to build a green home - from concept to completion.

Reservations are required. Email: homes@hbaggr.com or phone 800-305-2021 x249

This is a great opportunity for anyone who is exploring the Green Build idea in Michigan.

The 2007 Spring Parade of Homes begins May 25 and features 8 green homes.

It's our goal to provide the EmployeeOwners and customers of Standale Lumber and Interiors as many opportunities as possible to grow in their abilities and knowledge of our business. We will do that by being committed to Training and Education.

If you are a builder in Michigan plan to attend the following upcoming seminars! We would love to have you. 

Some of our upcoming luncheon seminars are:

May 9, 2007 - TimberTech Composite Decking "More Options, More Possiblities with Timbertech" 

        Presented by Michael Lindbert, TimberTech              Noon, Grandville Location

May 16, 2007 - Dupont Weatherization Systems "Water Resistant Barriers that Make Sense"

        Presented by Brian Stephens, Dupont                      Noon, Grandville Location

May 23, 2007 -  LRC Products, Inc - EWP, They Do It All "Build Better with Engineered Wood"

        Presented by Derek Boggs, LRC Products                 Noon, Grandville Location

May 30, 2007 - Simpson Metal Construction Connectors "New Products & Impact on Code" 

        Presented by Doug Towner, Simpson                       Noon, Grandville Location

If you have any questions, please direct those to Tom Touzel @ tomt@standalelumber.com

We hope to see you there!

Buzz!