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"!
Picture courtesty of Kevin Caldwell.
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