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What Makes Timber Supplies an Ecologically Sustainable Choice for Residential Construction?

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Although timber is one of the oldest construction materials, there has been a gradual shift towards engineered supplies such as steel and aluminium under the impression that the use of wood is harming the planet. Although deforestation is a major concern, you should know that sourcing responsibly harvested lumber goes a long way in curbing environmental degradation.

Additionally, while decreasing the reliance on timber products is well-meant, the reality is that wood remains a green alternative when compared to engineered materials for various reasons. Before you write off lumber for your project, consider the flowing qualities that make timber supplies an ecologically sustainable choice for residential construction.

Renewability

One of the biggest advantages of timber supplies over most other construction materials is its renewability. While timber is typically rivalled by concrete, the latter has to go through rigorous manufacturing processes. Timber supplies, conversely, are derived from lumber that is regrown to replace prior trees that have been felled. Moreover, the forestry management programs in place ensure that the trees are replanted and this renewability makes timber supplies highly sustainable. In addition, as the trees are regrown, they help with eliminating carbon dioxide, which promotes an oxygen-rich environment, and this is an advantage that is solely unique to timber supplies.

Effortless Processing

Speaking of manufacturing processes, lumber has to be processed too before it is employed for construction applications. Nevertheless, the life cycle of lumber is minimally impactful to the environment when compared to artificial materials such as metal or concrete. To begin with, the production of wastewater is nominal when processing timber. In addition, the byproducts that come about during the processing of timber are utilised for other purposes. For example, wood chips are a great source of biofuel so lumber mills will use them and minimises their reliance on fossil fuels. The manufacture of alternative building supplies, on the other hand, not only pollutes the air but water too.

Low VOC Content

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that pose a threat to the quality of your indoor air. If their presence is not acknowledged and eliminated, your household becomes vulnerable to headaches, nasal irritations, respiratory issues and more. VOCs are found in high amounts in materials such as plastics, aluminium, concrete, and more. And while they are present in some composite timber products as well as timber supplies in general, the content is quite low. Thus, you are at less risk of being adversely affected by these chemicals. Moreover, improving the air quality in your home is much easier when the presence of VOCs is minimal.

To learn more about timber supplies, contact a contractor near you. 


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