Using Wood
Submitted by Frank on Thu, 19/07/2007 - 08:25.
Every year, a huge area of rain forest is cut down to produce timber, build roads and provide agricultural land, and is not replaced. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that using timber in buildings is BAD, in fact so long as you follow some basic principles WOOD IS GOOD.
Think about it:
- It weighs less than metal, concrete and stone, which reduces transport costs
- It is very hard-wearing if kept dry, but biodegrades quickly once wet
- It is incredibly strong for it weight
- It is a good insulator
- It is not polluting, and beneficial to the environment (a growing tree removes CO2 from the atmosphere, using wood fixes CO2)
What do you need to look out for?
- Re-use old timber wherever possible
- If buying new timber look for FSC certified wood
- Think carefully about treatments (if any)
The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international independent organisation promoting responsible management of woodland. There is generally little price difference between goods from FSC-certified and non-certified but well-managed forests. Cheaper wood may well have come from an non-sustainable source – beware!
The FSC website includes a search facility for
The Friends of the Earth Good Wood Guide includes a list of wood timber species, and their conservation status.
Wood comes in other forms than timber of course, such as laminates, MDF, OSB, woodchip, hardboard and softboard. These are more practical for flooring over an existing solid or boarded floor. Some of these forms use resins to bind them. Take care with formaldehyde resins, which can cause irritation, and in high doses are carcinogenic. Products using formaldehyde should adhere to WHO standard E1. note that natural wood contains formaldehyde, as well as possibly preservatives and pesticides, so take care and wear a mask when sawing and sanding. See also Flooring
Think about how the wood you are using needs to be treated, if at all:
- If its not going to get damp, it doesn’t need treating
- Beeswax is a natural way to protect (and colour) internal wood
- Oils can only be used on softwoods and coarse-grained hardwoods
- Many hardwoods don’t need treating even if used externally
- Creosote is now banned – if you have any dispose of it responsibly (your local council will be able to help you with this)
- Copper Chromic Arsenic (CCA) sounds nasty and has also been banned
- Boron based chemicals are currently thought to be to best option for wood treatments
Choose wood for fencing over synthetic or metal alternatives – better for the environment and better looking.
