Why do we consider American hardwoods to be the original “green” product?
Hardwood forests are sustainable. The average annual net growth for hardwoods is greater than average annual removals. (Source: US Dept of Agriculture Forest Service)
Hardwood floors are healthy. The indoor air quality is excellent with wood floors. (Source: US EPA)
Wood reduces global warming. It is a carbon-neutral product that produces oxygen during its growth cycle and stores carbon during its service life. (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
Wood floors save natural resources. They use less water and energy to produce than other flooring options. (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
Wood is renewable. While it takes most hardwood trees 40-60 years to mature, the inventory planted today won’t be needed for 100-plus years. (Source: National Wood Flooring Association)
Wood floors last hundreds of years. They won’t need to be replaced as often as other flooring options. (Source: National Association of Home Builders)
Wood reduces landfill waste. At the end of its service life, wood flooring can be burned as fuel or recycled. (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
Wood may earn LEED Points. Wood is recognized by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program for improved indoor air quality, material use and location proximity, and sustainably sourced materials. (Source: US Green Building Council)
Also, consider:
Solid wood floors do not use glue and other potentially toxic materials that other flooring options may incorporate in the manufacturing process.
Low VOC waterborne finishes are becoming more commonly used and are replacing more toxic oil finishes.
American solid hardwoods are manufactured in the United States, which has stronger regulations on pollution than many other manufacturing countries.
American hardwoods are most commonly harvested from private property which means that selective logging and/or reseeding automatically takes place as property owners tend not to damage their own property.
Hardwoods are prolific re-seeders; as soon as a tree is cut down, saplings spring up everywhere!
There are approximately 4 times as many acres of hardwoods in the United States today than there were at the turn of the century because many family farms have been returned to the natural state of hardwood forestation. In fact, there is 82% more hardwood growing stock (all live trees >5”) today than in 1952!
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