Global industries are facing pressure to restructure and adopt sustainable practices in response to widespread concerns about climate change. Specifically, the construction sector is encouraged to reevaluate every aspect of designing and constructing commercial projects, given their substantial consumption of energy and materials. Green building certifications are the modern-day blueprint for creating efficient, adaptable, and eco-friendly buildings. They demonstrate a proactive commitment to sustainability.
What are Green Building Certifications?
Green building certifications are rating tools that evaluate and acknowledge building structures that meet specific sustainability criteria or standards. By establishing benchmarks, green building certificates make it easier for governments to integrate green building principles into building codes and regulations, ultimately promoting greener and more sustainable construction practices. These certifications recognize and incentivize companies and organizations involved in constructing and operating environmentally friendly buildings. The incentives include tax credits, grants, loans, and fee waivers. Although different programs have varying levels of standards, they all focus on building a healthier, more sustainable future in commercial buildings.
Different certifications have distinct requirements. Some emphasize the use of energy-efficient, natural building materials with a low carbon footprint, ensuring a safe product lifecycle. Meanwhile, some certifications focus on performance criteria. Understanding certification requirements is essential for guiding projects toward the desired sustainability goal.
Below are several commonly observed green building certifications:
Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE): Spaces that earn TRUE certification demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility, heightened resource efficiency, and the conversion of waste into savings and additional income streams. Through a closed-loop approach, these spaces mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, manage risks, diminish litter and pollution, reinvest resources locally, generate employment opportunities, and contribute enhanced value to both their company and community.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the most widely used green building certification system in the world. Utilizing responsibly sourced materials and resources is a major contributor to achieving the certification. LEED-certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and create healthier spaces for people.
The Living Building Challenge is an ambitious and comprehensive green building certification program and sustainable design framework developed by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). It goes beyond traditional sustainability standards by creating buildings that are not just environmentally friendly, but also guarantee the preservation of resources for the well-being of future generations.
WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being. Unlike traditional green building certifications that primarily focus on environmental sustainability, WELL places a strong emphasis on health and wellness through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.
These certificates are designed to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the construction and operation of buildings. Each has its own set of criteria and standards that buildings must meet to obtain certification.
Utilizing Natural Resources for Green Building Certified Projects
Wood emerges as a resilient and reliable option for projects aiming to attain green building certifications. Architects and designers frequently give preference to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) Certified wood products, as they guarantee the ethical sourcing of building materials. The incorporation of FSC®-Certified products in commercial projects enhances transparency and traceability in the construction process.
reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Specification Consultants are trained to collaborate closely with architects and designers to fulfill the criteria and standards of green building certifications. Whether it involves wood flooring, exterior, or interior cladding, our products are designed to provide sustainable solutions for new and existing commercial buildings. Connect with our Specification Consultants for your next project!
Dartmouth College expanded and renovated its Hood Museum of Art, incorporating additional galleries and learning spaces to offer an immersive experience for both visitors and students. The FSC®-Certified European White Oak flooring displays inviting tones, establishing a connection between the exhibits and the natural world.
Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College feat. CUSTOM European White Oak
The U.S. Green Building Council in Washington D.C. downsized and renovated their headquarters to create a hybrid and healthy work environment for their employees. The office achieved a triple platinum certification in LEED, TRUE, and WELL by integrating biophilic features such as natural FSC®-Certified North American White Oak flooring, living plant walls, and strategically utilizing natural lighting.
USGBC Headquarters feat. CUSTOM North American White Oak
The 27th floor of the Comcast Technology Center in Philadelphia, PA, features a loft-style design in its headquarters, providing staff with flexibility in their workspace and work styles. Upon entering the office, occupants and visitors are warmly welcomed by reclaimed oak interior cladding, fostering a sense of inclusiveness and collaboration.
Two Rivers Middle School is a network of high-performing public charter schools in Washington D.C. that offers hands-on, project-based learning that fosters curiosity, character, and meaningful engagement among students. As students step into the school, the European White Oak wall and ceiling cladding creates an inviting and supportive ambiance, setting the tone for a positive learning environment.
Two Rivers Middle School feat. AMITY European White Oak
455 Massachusetts is a 12th-floor Class A commercial office building located in Washington D.C. The European White Oak flooring offers a refreshing touch to the modern commercial design.
455 Massachusetts Ave feat. AMITY European White Oak
reSAWN TIMBER co. offers accessible and reliable FSC®-Certified wood products, providing architects and builders with a sustainable choice. Check out reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Sylva™ FSC®-Certified Thermally Modified Red Oak products as a sustainable building solution.
Wildfires have become a common topic and focus worldwide as they are becoming more frequent, intense, and challenging to contain. The rapid spread of wildfire into inhabited areas could cause devastating losses of life and health, as well as financial and property damages.
The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) is a critical area where human development meets the natural, undeveloped landscape. The population is rapidly growing in the U.S., and more and more people and families are choosing to live in the outskirts, suburbs, and rural expanses. Housing development follows the population and grows into wildlands. As communities expand, the interface between wildlands and urban areas becomes increasingly prominent—a high-risk area when wildfires occur.
The Wildland Urban Interface is not static as it is constantly growing. The WUI zone varies across regions depending on climate, topography, vegetation, and land use. WUIs typically include suburban neighborhoods, recreational areas such as golf courses, and communities near natural landscapes. These locations are where wildfires have the most significant impacts on human lives. The latest information on WUI areas can be found on the official website of the local fire department.
Vegetation, topography, and human activities are three major factors of wildfire spread in the WUI areas. The lush greenery enhances the aesthetic appeal of residence placements. Its combination with natural topography, such as steep slopes, canyons, and ravines, provides mental solace for residents. However, when wildfires occur, the vegetation becomes fuel for wildfires, and the layout of the land can affect how quickly flames advance, adding complexity to managing and mitigating fire risks.
In addition to natural wildfires, human activities could pose fire risks in these interface zones. Recreational outdoor activities, agriculture, and urban development increase the likelihood of human-induced wildfires. Human activities elevate the probability of initiating fires and add challenges to emergency response and evacuation. Rapid urbanization and sprawling developments create numerous access points for fires, making it challenging for firefighting crews to swiftly contain blazes. Evacuating residents during a wildfire becomes a logistical puzzle, requiring meticulous planning and coordination among emergency services.
Mitigating and preparing for wildfires, particularly in wildland-urban interfaces, are critical concerns for the public and federal, state, and local governments. These efforts are essential to safeguard communities from potential losses and damages. Common fire mitigation strategies involve community planning, comprehensive fire and life safety regulations, and stringent building standards. Educating and preparing the local communities about the devastating effects of wildfires can help reduce human-ignited fires and improve emergency responses. Creating ample defensible space between structures by reducing vegetation helps decrease the speed of fire spread. Additionally, choosing WUI-compliant building materials during new and remodel construction can mitigate the impact of wildfires and minimize the risk of ignition.
Living on the edge of wildlands comes with the allure of natural beauty and the challenges of managing the inherent risks. The Wildland Urban Interface demands a proactive and collaborative approach to safeguard communities against the threat of wildfires. Through careful planning, education, and investment in firefighting resources, residents and policymakers can work together to create resilient communities that coexist with nature while minimizing the impact of potential disasters. As we continue to expand our urban footprint, understanding and addressing the complexities of the Wildland Urban Interface will be crucial for building a safer and more sustainable future.
In an unprecedented reversal of American history, the demographic landscape of the United States is undergoing a transformative shift. A growing number of Americans are choosing to relocate from major cities and metropolitan hubs to the outskirts, suburbs, and rural expanses, propelled by a multitude of factors. As individuals settle in and around diverse ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, and shrub lands—also known as wildland-urban interface (WUI) zone—ramifications of this population shift become more pronounced.
This migration trend unfolds against an increasingly pressing concern—climate change-induced wildfires across North America. The intricate interplay between human habitation and natural landscapes amplifies the challenges associated with wildfires. With rising temperatures and prolonged droughts heightening the risk of wildfires, a significant emphasis is placed on enhancing safety measures and protections in the WUI zone.
Introduction of Wildland Urban Interface Construction Codes
Over the years, with the escalating threat of wildfires, there has been a growing development of building codes tailored specifically for areas prone to wildfires.
The Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) provisions are typically integrated into state or local building codes. California is known for introducing its own set of WUI zone construction requirements within the California Building Code (CBC) in 2008. CBC regulations mandate that building products intended for use in the WUI zone or State Responsibility Area (SRA) must adhere to specific directives. The WUI construction code primarily aims to enforce heightened standards for fire resistance and ignition resistance in the built environment.
A home or building designed and constructed with meticulous attention to detail and the use of compliant building materials significantly enhances its chances of withstanding a wildfire. There are two common ways to identify optimal building products for properties located in wildfire-prone areas: opting for WUI-Compliant building products or selecting products listed under CAL FIRE Building Materials Listing Program.
WUI-Compliant Building Products
WUI-compliant products generally refer to products and materials that meet specific standards and regulations outlined for the Wildland-Urban Interface zones.
According to California Building Code (CBC), the minimum requirement for building envelope components, such as siding/cladding is that an exterior wall covering or wall assembly, shall comply with one of the following requirements:
Wall assemblies that have been tested in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in ASTM E2707 with the conditions of acceptance shown in Section 707A.3.1
Wall assemblies that meet the performance criteria in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-1.
CAL FIRE Building Materials Listing Program
CAL FIRE is a California state agency responsible for safeguarding natural resources within areas designated by the State Board of Forestry as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). In alignment with this mission, the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) introduced the Building Materials Listing (BML) Program. This program serves as a comprehensive initiative aimed at evaluating and certifying a diverse array of building materials. Product manufacturers are required to pass rigorous testing conducted through laboratories accredited by the State Fire Marshal (SFM), ensuring their building materials meet stringent standards for the WUI zone.
The BML Program provide authorities, architects, engineers, contractors, and the fire services with a reliable and readily available source of information when they do not have a staff or subject matter expert to assess the building material quality.
There is a common belief that wood, being perceived as combustible and flammable, is not considered a safe material in proximity to fire. As a result, wood is often not the first come to mind when selecting building materials for building structures in wildfire-prone areas. As technology advances, reSAWN TIMBER co. addresses this challenge by innovatively modifying wood structures. The thermally modified wood offerings, Abodo and Sylva, can be more resistant to fire than untreated wood. The thermal treatment alters the chemical composition of the wood, leading to a decrease in the content of flammable substances within the material, while preserving the original aesthetic of wood.
As demographic trends evolve and more individuals relocate to wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones, architects, builders, and homeowners must stay well-informed about the escalating wildfire risk. This necessitates diligent research, selecting building materials by code requirements, and preserving aesthetic appeal throughout the construction process. Contact us to learn about what product works best for your project.
Wood is one of the earth’s most renewable resources and has a low environmental impact compared to alternative building materials that are often used during the construction process. We believe if architects and builders want to provide clients with high-quality, sustainable building materials that will last over the lifespan of the structure, they must choose high-quality materials. We invest in quality, sustainably rich materials like Alaskan Yellow Cedar, so end users can rest assured that their cladding is going to last for many years to come. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of one of reSAWN TIMBER co.’s most specified product, WILLIWAW Alaskan Yellow Cedar (AYC).
Benefits of WILLIWAW
WILLIWAW features pre-weathered Alaskan Yellow Cedar that is sourced anywhere from Alaska to Oregon and is intended to provide a high-performing, natural material with a clean weathered aesthetic.
WILLIWAW can be used for interior or exterior wall cladding and is available in clear vertical grain. Clear vertical grain Alaskan yellow cedar contains few character marks.
WILLIWAW is durable, dimensionally stable, resistant to rot and insects, and has a light tan/gray, weathered look.
WILLIWAW can be treated to Class A Fire Rating for Interior Applications.
WILLIWAW is known for its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, coupled with its aesthetic appeal, making it a favored choice for both functional and decorative applications in various architectural and design projects.
Each WILLIWAW product is meticulously crafted to showcase the natural characteristics of the wood, such as grain patterns, and color variations.
As a natural building material, wood cladding weathers inconsistently and can be unpredictable. WILLIWAW provides an exterior material with minimal aesthetic variation regardless of UV exposure.
WILLIWAW is designed to be versatile and can be used in both high-end residential and commercial settings.
The combination of expert craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and the inherent beauty of wood makes WILLIWAW a popular choice among designers, architects, and homeowners looking for exceptional wood products.
reSAWN’s Lumber Warehouse Featuring WILLIWAW- Day One
reSAWN’s Lumber Warehouse Featuring WILLIWAW- 2 Years Later
Why WILLIWAW?
reSAWN TIMBER co. offers a variety of Alaskan Yellow Cedar options that all contain the incredible benefits of this species. WILLIWAW not only has all of those benefits, but is loved for its natural variation, pre-weathered features, and low maintenance.
From afar, WILLIWAW exhibits a light beige color with gray undertones, making it unique looking in every kind of lighting. Its color compliments every environment it’s surrounded by whether it’s mountains or beaches, sun or snow, it provides a natural look as if it has always belonged there. The natural color variations in Alaskan Yellow Cedar wood are primarily due to the wood’s interaction with minerals found in the soil of its growing environment. As the tree absorbs water and nutrients from the soil, it also absorbs trace amounts of minerals present in the surrounding environment. These minerals can include iron, copper, manganese, and others, each imparting its own color properties to the wood. The mineral composition of the soil plays a crucial role in determining the color variation.
WILLIWAW is prefinished in plant-based, zero VOC finish, allowing it to accept and hold finishes with minimal aesthetic variation throughout its installation lifecycle. reSAWN’s products arrive at job sites prefinished to avoid minor mishaps that can occur on job sites like oversprays, streaks, drips, or lap marks. Drying racks that are used to hold wet cladding on a job site are costly and take up much-needed space. Prefinished wood materials like WILLIWAW are finished and dried in a controlled environment prior to arriving on a job site. With factory-finished products, they have already undergone quality control, inspection, and back coating to ensure the material is in perfect condition before it arrives at its destination.
WILLIWAW is offered in a clear vertical grade, meaning the growth rings are parallel to each other on the face or the board, and very light skips on the non-graded face. Architects and builders often seek out select grades because it has very few imperfections or character markings, making it look smooth and clean. Additionally, WILLIWAW is utilized for both interior and exterior purposes, making it versatile and flexible for all styles of design.
WILLIWAW is currently being installed on homes in different climatic zones across the country in South Carolina, Minnesota, California, Florida, and Canada. Below is the Red Mountain Residence in Aspen, Colorado on its way to completion.
AYC is a remarkable species that is located in the coastal regions of Alaska, British Columbia, and the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It is grown in climates that have mildly wet winters, and cool damp summers. This species is often found on higher elevations and thrives in diverse forest ecosystems.
Unfinished AYC exhibits a pale yellow to golden color, often with subtle streaks of reddish brown, which deepen and become richer with age and exposure to sunlight. In addition to its physical attributes, the species possess a pleasing aroma that emanates from the wood, which adds to its allure and sensory appeal. Its scent is often described as sweet, reminiscent of cedar and citrus.
At reSAWN, our Alaskan Yellow Cedar products like WILLIWAW are ideally suited for any interior and exterior project, including wall and ceiling cladding. With its versatility, comes many remarkable benefits.
Durability– AYC has exceptional resistance to decay, rot, fungi, and insect damage. Due to their natural extractives such as Thujaplicans and Phenolics, they act as a defense mechanism for decay-causing organisms and pests. The natural oils also act as a natural barrier against moisture, helping to repel water. This contributes to the long lifecycle of the wood.
Strength– The low density and compact characteristics of the species make it more resistant to wear, impact, checks, and twists. Additionally, its straight grain pattern contributes to the strength of the wood. The fibers in AYC run parallel to the board’s length, providing structural integrity, making it less susceptible to shrink, and enabling it to withstand various environmental and structural stresses.
Insulation– The species’ tightly packed fibers and low density allow the wood to be thermally insulated.
Fire Resistant– When exposed to fire, AYC tends to have a slower burn rate. It releases heat at a slower pace and retains its structure for a longer period. reSAWN’s AYC has a Flame Spread Index of 40 and a Smoke Developed Index of 140, giving it a Class B Rating.
The building industry continues to produce unsustainable materials to mimic the aesthetic of wood and advertise them as sustainable products. However, some contain toxic chemicals, are unethically manufactured, and have a short lifespan because it is less expensive to do so. Additionally, their life cycle produces a mass of carbon emissions whereas products like WILLIWAW act as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
At reSAWN TIMBER co., we bear the responsibility to become mindful educators, while nurturing and preserving earth’s ecosystems, cherishing its biodiversity, and embracing sustainable practices. We provide sustainably sourced products that will look beautiful on day one and continue to weather as nature takes over, with little to no aesthetic maintenance needed. This leaves more time to enjoy the product and less time to maintain it.
What does it truly mean to be an environmentally conscious wood manufacturer? In an industry that runs on nonrenewable, disposable resources beyond what is necessary, healthy, or sustainable, we choose to change the narrative. At reSAWN TIMBER co., we research, study, and observe every product we sell to not only protect our planet, but future generations. We carefully craft quality products that are durable and sustainably sourced to keep our promise to nature and end-users.
There is a reason why WILLIWAW Alaskan Yellow Cedar continues to be one of our most specified products. It is durable, dimensionally stable, rot and insect resistant, versatile, and exceptional at withstanding all weather conditions. Architects and builders continue to choose WILLIWAW for their projects because it promises to keep a home aesthetically beautiful and safe for years to come.
Want to see how WILLIWAW will look on your next project? WILLIWAW samples are available for architects and designers at no cost and shipped via UPS Ground. Click on the button to get started.
Humans have always connected deeply with nature because we evolved in natural environments. For thousands of years, we have lived in close proximity to nature, relying on it for survival. Our brains and bodies evolved to function in these natural environments, and as a result, we have an innate connection to nature that has persisted throughout human history. Even as we have become more urbanized and modernized, our connection with nature has remained strong because it is ingrained in our biology and psychology.
According to several authoritative studies (Workplaces: Wellness+Wood=Productivity), (Wood: Nature Inspired Design), and (Why Do We Feel Better With Wood?) exposure to natural products like wood creates similar health benefits to those created by spending time in nature. Incorporating natural materials such as real wood cladding and flooring into a built environment helps reduce blood pressure, heart rates, and stress levels while improving well-being, creativity, cognitive abilities, and the air we breathe. The concept of biophilia was introduced in the 1980s to highlight the importance of our connection to nature and the potential benefits that can be gained from it.
Synthetic building materials often recreate the look of wood because wood is a popular and traditional building material that has been used for centuries. Wood’s warm, natural look and feel is difficult to achieve with non-natural materials. By mimicking wood, manufacturers can create low-cost building materials with a similar appearance and texture to wood, but lacking the warmth, intrinsic qualities, and health benefits afforded by real wood materials.
The influence that wood has on the building materials market can be seen everywhere. reSAWN recently attended the 2023 International Builders’ Show (IBS), which is an annual trade show for the residential construction industry, hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The show featured exhibits and educational sessions focused on new products, innovative technologies, and industry trends related to home building and remodeling. The use of wood, wood influence, and the creation of wood-like aesthetics was prevalent throughout the show. Even companies that were not offering a wood product, utilized wood-like textures in their booths to highlight their product or service.
Vinyl Siding Made to Look Like Wood
Vinyl siding is a popular choice in the US for a wood-like look without the perceived maintenance. Vinyl can be made to look like different types of wood, including cedar, oak, and pine. It is also affordable and durable, making it a common choice for many projects. However, there are some potential downsides to using vinyl siding that need to be considered.
Vinyl siding is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a plastic material that is derived from petroleum – which is a non-renewable resource. The production of PVC and its disposal can result in toxic pollutants being released into the environment, including dioxins, which are known to be harmful to human health and the environment.
Energy-intensive manufacturing: The production of vinyl siding requires a significant amount of energy, mainly from non-renewable sources such as coal and natural gas, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Limited recyclability: Vinyl siding is difficult to recycle, and it may end up in landfills where it can take hundreds of years to break down. This contributes to environmental pollution and wastes resources.
Installation and maintenance: The installation of vinyl siding requires the use of various chemicals and solvents, which can have negative environmental impacts. In addition, vinyl siding can crack or fade over time, requiring replacement, which leads to more waste.
Fiber Cement Made to Look Like Wood
Another material that mimics the look of wood is fiber cement. It’s a widely used building material that’s made from a mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. While it has many benefits, such as durability, fire resistance, and low maintenance, there are also significant environmental issues associated with its production and use.
Carbon emissions: The production of fiber cement involves high energy consumption and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.
Water use: The production of fiber cement requires a significant amount of water, which can put pressure on local water resources in areas where water is scarce.
Waste disposal: The production process generates a significant amount of waste, including cement dust, which can cause air pollution if not properly disposed of.
Toxicity: The production of fiber cement can result in the release of toxic chemicals, such as asbestos, silica, and formaldehyde, which can pose health risks to workers and nearby communities.
Transportation: Fiber cement is a heavy and bulky material that requires a lot of energy to transport, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Composite Decking Made to Look Like Wood
Composite decking is a popular alternative to traditional wood decking because it is durable, and requires little maintenance. However, there are some environmental issues associated with composite decking that should be considered.
Manufacturing: The production process of composite decking involves the use of a variety of chemicals, including resins, wood fibers, and plastics. These chemicals can release harmful emissions into the air and water during production.
Disposal: Composite decking materials are not biodegradable and can take up valuable space in landfills if not properly recycled. Some composite decking materials contain hazardous chemicals, making them difficult to recycle or dispose of safely.
Non-renewable resources: Most composite decking is made from a combination of wood fibers and plastic, both of which are non-renewable resources. This means that the production of composite decking contributes to the depletion of these resources.
Maintenance: Although composite decking requires less maintenance than traditional wood decking, it still requires periodic cleaning with chemicals that can harm the environment. However, with the onset of modified woods like Accoya, there are now many maintenance-free options on the market.
Porcelain Tile Made to Look Like Wood
One of the newest materials to mimic wood is porcelain tile. Porcelain tile can be made to look like different types of wood, including oak, maple, and walnut. It is also very durable and water-resistant, making it a great choice for areas that experience moisture or high traffic.
Porcelain tile is generally considered an environmentally friendly flooring option, as it is made from natural materials such as clay and minerals, and can be recycled at the end of its life. However, there are some environmental issues associated with porcelain tiles that should be considered:
Energy consumption during production: The production of porcelain tile requires a significant amount of energy, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Water usage during production: The production of porcelain tile requires large amounts of water, which can contribute to water scarcity and pollution.
Transportation emissions: Porcelain tile is often imported from overseas, which results in transportation emissions and contributes to climate change.
Waste generation: The installation of porcelain tiles can generate waste, including cut-off pieces and broken tiles, which can contribute to landfill waste.
Chemicals used in production: The production of porcelain tile may involve the use of chemicals such as glazes and sealants, which can be harmful to the environment if not properly managed.
When a single design is repeated over a large area, it can create a visual monotony that may appear repetitive.
Laminate Flooring Made to Look Like Wood
Laminate flooring that looks like wood is a popular choice for many homeowners and builders because it provides the appearance of hardwood flooring at a more affordable price. Laminate flooring is made from composite wood materials and is designed to mimic the look of hardwood planks, including the texture and grain patterns.
While laminate flooring has many advantages, there are some drawbacks to consider before choosing it for your home or building project.
Not as durable as hardwood: Although laminate flooring is more durable than some other types of flooring, it is not as durable as hardwood. Heavy furniture, high heels, and pet claws can all cause scratches and dents in laminate flooring.
Susceptible to water damage: Laminate flooring is made from a wood-based core, and as such, it can be damaged by excessive moisture or water exposure. Spills or leaks that are not cleaned up quickly can cause the planks to warp or buckle.
Can look artificial: While laminate flooring is designed to look like real wood, it is still an artificial product, and some people may find that it looks less authentic than hardwood flooring.
Difficult to repair: If a section of laminate flooring becomes damaged, it can be challenging to repair without replacing the entire plank or section of the floor. This can be costly and time-consuming.
Formaldehyde emissions: Formaldehyde is a chemical used in the adhesives and resins used to make laminate flooring, and it can be emitted into the air over time. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause health problems, especially for those with respiratory issues. However, many laminate flooring manufacturers now use low-formaldehyde adhesives and resins to reduce the risk of emissions.
Sustainability of materials: The majority of laminate flooring is made from a core of high-density fiberboard (HDF) made from wood fibers, which can be derived from unsustainable sources such as old-growth forests. While some manufacturers use recycled or sustainably sourced wood fibers, others may not be as environmentally responsible.
Disposal: Laminate flooring cannot be easily recycled and may end up in landfills. When disposed of, it can release formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals into the environment. However, some companies have started recycling programs to reduce waste and environmental impact.
Short lifespan: Laminate flooring is generally not as durable or long-lasting as other flooring materials, such as hardwood. This means that it may need to be replaced more frequently, leading to more waste and environmental impact.
While laminate flooring is a popular and affordable option, it may not be the best choice for all situations. To mitigate the environmental issues associated with laminate flooring, consumers can look for products made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials, choose low-formaldehyde options, and properly dispose of old flooring. It is also important to select flooring that is durable and has a long lifespan to minimize waste and environmental impact.
Aluminum Made to Look Like Wood
There are some manufacturers that offer aluminum facade solutions for homeowners and commercial properties looking to achieve the look of wood. The aluminum products mimic the appearance of natural wood grains, knots, and textures.
While aluminum facades offer numerous advantages such as durability, flexibility, and low maintenance, there are also some disadvantages that should be considered, including:
Cost: Aluminum facades can be expensive compared to traditional wood cladding materials.
Corrosion: Aluminum is susceptible to corrosion if it is not properly treated or coated. Exposure to moisture and chemicals can lead to rust and discoloration, which can detract from the appearance of the building.
Thermal conductivity: Aluminum is a good conductor of heat, which can lead to energy loss in buildings. Additional insulation may be required to offset this problem.
Environmental concerns: The production of aluminum requires a significant amount of energy and generates greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the extraction and processing of aluminum can have negative impacts on the environment.
Limited design options: While aluminum is a flexible material, there may be limitations to the design options available with this cladding material. Some architects and designers may prefer other materials for their aesthetic appeal or greater design flexibility.
Scratches and dents: Like all aluminum cladding materials, Knotwood is susceptible to scratches and dents, which can detract from its appearance.
Technological Updates in Wood
There have been many recent technological updates in the use of wood as a building material, which have made it more versatile, efficient, durable, and dimensionally stable.
Modified Wood Options
Various environmentally friendly chemical and heat treatments can be used to modify the properties of wood. For example, acetylation can make wood more durable and resistant to decay, while thermal modification can improve its stability and strength. This type of wood requires minimal upkeep to preserve its appearance and structural integrity over time. Low-maintenance modified wood products can be a great option for homeowners who want the beauty and warmth of wood without the hassle of regular maintenance. However, it’s important to choose the right type of wood for your specific application and to follow any recommended maintenance guidelines to ensure that your wood products last as long as possible.
Structural Analysis Software
Structural analysis software can simulate the performance of wood structures under different loads and conditions, allowing engineers and architects to optimize designs for strength, durability, and efficiency. This technology has led to the development of new building systems and techniques that use wood in innovative ways.
Sustainable Forestry Practices
Technology has made it possible to manage forests more sustainably, by using satellite imagery, remote sensing, and other tools to monitor forest health, track tree growth, and identify areas of concern. This technology has helped to reduce the environmental impact of harvesting wood while ensuring a steady supply of sustainably harvested timber for building and other uses.
Overall, technology has helped to make wood a more versatile, efficient, durable, and dimensionally stable building material, opening up new possibilities for architects, engineers, and builders to create innovative and sustainable structures. Moreover, wood has a natural warmth and character that is difficult to replicate with synthetic materials. While there are synthetic materials that can mimic the appearance of wood, they often fall short in terms of sustainability, texture, color variation, and overall aesthetic appeal.
Wood is one of the most mimicked building materials because of its adaptability, availability, and natural beauty. It can be shaped, cut, carved, and finished in a variety of ways, allowing it to be used for a wide range of applications, from furniture and flooring to building construction. In summary, while alternatives to natural wood products may have some advantages, they may not be able to fully replace the environmental and authenticity benefits that come with using natural wood. Plus due to technological updates in the use of wood as a building material, it is more versatile, efficient, durable, and sustainable than ever before.
A tree’s wood is also its memoir – Hope Jahren
Do you have questions about using real wood products in a specific application? We can help. Contact us below.
Thermal modification is a process that utilizes high heat to alter the dimensional composition of wood. The cellular structure is changed by applying heat without oxygen, which creates a controlled chemical reaction. The thermal modification process permanently modifies the cell walls of the wood and results in improved durability of the wood as well as increased dimensional stability.
Three Falls Residence – GRAPHITE Abodo Vulcan Cladding
The aim of modified wood is to overcome the shortcomings of standard timber. The modification process enhances the performance of the wood, resulting in improvements in the longevity of timbers – dimensional stability, decay resistance, reduced water absorption, less expansion/contraction, etc. In addition, since most advanced modification processes are environmentally friendly, the materials can still be disposed of properly at the end of the product life cycle.
Vancouver Residence – KOS Shou Sugi Ban Charred Kebony
What Are The Benefits of Using Thermally Modified Wood?
Durability: Wood becomes instantly more durable after being thermally modified. Water absorption in regular wood can cause warping, discoloration, and even the growth of bacteria or fungi. This is not an issue with thermally modified wood. Water cannot warp or deform it because the modification process naturally changes the cellular structure of the wood.
Aesthetics: Thermally modified wood has a beautiful, consistent chocolate-brown color from surface to core.
Sustainability: Solid wood building materials have a net-negative CO2 profile – better than any conventional building material. It requires less energy to create the finished product than other building materials such as concrete, metal, or plastic.
Environmentally Friendly: Many exterior wood products are treated with wood preservatives – some more toxic than others. The thermal modification process uses heat and steam to cure the wood. There are no harmful toxins or chemicals that are used in the process.
Corwith Residence – SVERTE Shou Sugi Ban Charred Kebony
Thermally Modified Wood Manufacturers
Abodo Thermally Modified Wood
Abodo wood is a great option for thermally modified wood that is durable and rapidly renewable. The timber has exceptional weatherability and maintains its durability and beauty for a lifetime.
Based in New Zealand, Abodo prides itself on producing a range of beautiful and durable thermally modified timber solutions that are safe, sustainable, and renewable. The company has a strong ethos around ensuring its timber is ethically sourced. From milling to building, they respect their material, the people who use it, and where it comes from. For every tree milled, Abodo ensures it provides more than 30 years of service, which is as long as it takes to grow a replacement tree.
Twin Gables ft. reSAWN TIMBER co. SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan Cladding
Benefits of Specifying Thermally Modified Abodo Vulcan Cladding
All Abodo wood is produced from well-managed sustainable sources including FSC® and other regionally certified woods. reSAWN TIMBER co. holds an FSC® Chain of Custody Certification, as well.
Abodo Vulcan cladding is virtually completely knot-free and has a Durability Class 1 Rating.
Patented glue lamination is used for a modern, clean vertical grain orientation. This provides superior weathering characteristics, greater stability, and less surface cracking. The wood ages with grace as it’s left to weather outdoors.
Outstanding dimensional stability results in less aesthetic maintenance and therefore less coating over the product’s lifetime.
Low carbon footprint: Abodo wood is an environmentally compatible substitute for carbon-intensive materials.
100% recyclable and reusable, naturally renewable.
Warranty: 15 years against fungal decay*.
Moisture content: Approx. 7% MC (+/- 2%) at the time of dispatch. It does not require acclimation prior to installation.
Glue: New generation polyurethane adhesive – VOC, solvent, and formaldehyde-free.
SFM 12-7A-1 – WUI Exterior Wall Siding and Sheathing.
Phase 1 – The kiln is slowly elevated in temperature until the moisture content of the wood is essentially zero %. The wood in the kiln is then heated further until it reaches the desired modification temperature – in most cases 230 degrees Celsius for outdoor end-use applications.
Phase 2 – The kiln is held at the modification temperature for a prescribed time to achieve full modification. This time is the critical point in the process.
Phase 3 – The kiln is allowed to cool, and the wood is reconditioned with steam (we bring the moisture content back to around 7%). Once cool enough the wood can be extracted from the kiln.
reSAWN TIMBER co. is proud to be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Abodo® thermally modified Vulcan cladding and decking products in the USA.
Kebony Modified Wood
Kebony is considered a dually-modified wood, which means it’s both chemically and thermally modified. That happens through their proprietary process called furfurylation. The Kebony technology modifies wood by forming stable, locked-in furan polymers in the wood cell walls. These increase the dimensional stability, as well as durability and hardness, of the wood. This process is based on impregnation with furfuryl alcohol produced from agricultural crop waste. Kebony thus uses a plant-derived waste product to give enhanced strength and durability to another plant product – namely wood.
Kebony Clear Decking
Kebony wood is safe since the wood does not splinter and doesn’t contain toxins or chemicals, nor does the wood get too hot in the summer. Furthermore, Kebony wood is resistant to rot and fungi, and other wood-destroying microorganisms in an above-ground context. Kebony is a low-maintenance material that does not require additional treatment beyond normal cleaning, thus, no oils or other impregnation solutions are needed.
Thermally Modified Red Oak
Thermally modified red oak is a popular option for locally sourced timber from the United States. In North America, red oak trees are prevalent and grow to a height of around 70 feet and a trunk diameter of 36″. Being the largest species group, it is highly sustainable.
While there are copious amounts of international building material manufacturers, local suppliers can offer benefits that overseas vendors cannot.
Carbon Footprint Reduction – Our relationship with our environment truly matters. Building materials that are locally sourced means shorter trips to haul, less greenhouse gas emissions, and less diesel fuel consumption.
Support Products Made in the USA – By specifying local materials, a product’s sustainability profile extends to extraction, manufacturing, and transportation practices.
Samples of our standard products and thermally modified wood offerings are available for architects and designers at no cost and shipped via UPS Ground. Click the button below to explore reSAWN’s complete product offering – sort by species, color, or application.
The building enclosure (envelope, skin, facade, etc.) represents one of the greatest risk elements of construction. It is subjected to various weather conditions and must be constructed to endure long-term deterioration and weathering. There are numerous options for installing exterior cladding. In order to combat water penetration, air leakage, and increased energy consumption, hygroscopic materials such as wood are best suited for rainscreen applications.
Building Enclosure
Rain and snow, the two most common types of water that fall on an exterior wall, are either pushed downward by gravity or pushed sideways by the wind. A rainscreen deploys an outside surface – a rainscreen cladding layer – to break the power of sideways, wind-driven water movement, allowing any water that passes through the microscopic gaps in the surface to lose speed. The majority of water merely bounces off the surface or runs down the side of the building.
Rainscreen Sub-StructureRainscreen Sub-Structure
Moisture-Control Functions Within a Rainscreen:
Drainage: Lapped or interlocked exterior wood cladding resists most moisture from the elements, but it is not watertight. An air gap behind the cladding combined with a means of egress provides a path for moisture to escape the wall assembly. Open-joint rain screens that maintain physical openings between the boards also have a gap and a drainage path behind the boards. In a wood cladding installation, the drainage gap is created by installing furring strips or girts over the water-resistive barrier.
There are also drainage matrix products that are designed to create drainage stand-off within their own thickness, eliminating the need for furring strips. These are commonly known as building wraps that combine the functions of a drainage plane, water-resistive barrier, and an air barrier into one product. reSAWN conventionally views assemblies that employ a matrix as less desirable for overall drying when compared to fully gapped assemblies that include furring strips. Though, drainage matrix products can be better suited for retrofit projects where a true rainscreen application isn’t feasible.
Break: The presence of an air gap limits the wicking transfer of absorbed moisture from material to material into the wall assembly.
Vent: Adding a ventilation path at the top of a rainscreen allows the vented opening – with the drainage opening at the bottom of the wall assembly – to enable convection in the air gap behind the cladding. The airflow promotes additional drying within the assembly.
Successful rainscreen designs consist of numerous chosen components that allow for a range of options to fit any project’s needs. A thorough understanding of a project site’s climatic dynamics should inform rain screen design.
SIOOX Abodo Vulcan Cladding
There are numerous high-quality components on the market that aid in the design of a successful rainscreen. Making high-quality detail choices throughout the design process and taking into account the whole wall assembly – from the exterior to the interior – can assist in the long-term utility and durability of a given rainscreen.
Membranes: Wall assemblies need to dry after wet weather conditions. Based on their design, wall assemblies dry inward, outward, or in both directions.
Water-resistive barriers block moisture and are often code-mandated in residential applications. In simplest form, these barriers are building wrap products attached to a building’s sheathing with mechanical fasteners or adhesives. In most cases, they are continuous or layered shingle-style across an entire facade.
Air barriers block air movement. Many building components in a wall assembly have air-blocking characteristics. To create fully effective air barriers, these materials should be combined with a system to ensure an envelope effect. Special attention must be given to openings such as windows and doors, transitions from wall to roof planes, and penetrations for mechanical and electrical intakes and outlets. An air barrier system is composed of a membrane supported by sheathing, seam tape, and specialized gaskets and seals at penetrations. Air can carry high amounts of moisture, so limiting the amount of air that can move through a wall assembly can help the likelihood of the enclosed portions of a wall staying dry.
Vapor barriers limit vapor diffusion. How much vapor movement a material experiences is known as its permeance value. Virtually all sheet, bat, or board building products have specific permeance determined by their composition and thickness. Vapor membrane products are specifically designed to limit vapor diffusion. Other products such as insulation have permeance as well. While their primary purpose is not vapor diffusion, as a component of the wall assembly, they have an impact. Efforts should be made to thoroughly research materials that make sense for the climate zone and project specifications. Negative impacts can occur within a wall assembly by the incorrect placement of a barrier with high vapor-blocking characteristics such as a polyethylene sheet. One of the greatest challenges occurs when a vapor barrier intended to keep a wall assembly from getting wet actually prohibits it from drying1.
The primary functions of water, air, and vapor barriers can be combined. While the needs of every application are project-specific, reSAWN sees repeat success in wood-clad rainscreen assemblies with the application of combined water and air barrier membranes that are also breathable, to allow any moisture present in the wall assembly to escape outwards.
Details:
A wall assembly’s success starts with attention to detail – including the project site conditions and material selection. The list below includes a limited sampling of some high-impact items.
Material Movement: When specifying wood cladding, an understanding of wood and its movement is imperative. Intentional allowances for the expansion and contraction of all wood components should be considered. Adequate interlocking (i.e. tongue and groove)or lap conditions should be planned to inhibit separation between boards for material contraction. Depending on the cut of the wood cladding (specific to grain orientation), the primary axis of movement in relation to the board’s orientation as installed may vary.
Material Stability and Sizing: The stability of wood, meaning how the wood maintains its original shape and dimension, is important within a rainscreen. Properties such as wood grade and wood modification can increase stability. Stability should play a central role in the cladding selection process, and this same process should be applied to the selection of the furring strips to which the cladding is fastened. The width and thickness of furring strips should allow for the intended depth of the drainage gap and also ensure a durable target for both the fasteners that tie the furring strips back into the wall’s structure as well as the fasteners that attach the wood cladding to the strips.
Fastener Choice: A stainless steel wood-to-wood fastener is an important component of a wood-clad rainscreen assembly. A project site’s geography can influence the grade of steel fastener used, as some may be more appropriate in coastal or other specialized climates. Nails should be ring shank siding nails. Screws should be appropriately sized to limit the potential of breaking and splitting when driven into the cladding. Head shape, size, color/coating, and the appropriateness of piloting fastener holes as well as fastener length in light of the self-synching/sealing properties of the water-resistive and air barriers should all be considered.
Penetrations: All penetrations through a rainscreen from windows to exhaust ducts should be thoroughly flashed and air sealed.
Continuity of Detailing: Detailing at corners, facade transitions, trims, sills caps, and like conditions can be challenging. Taking into account allowance for expansion, rear drainage, mitigation of pest infiltration, or vented channels are all important details to keep in mind during all project stages.
Durability During Construction: Components of a project will likely be exposed to the elements during the construction phase. Care should be taken to review how these components weather and react to UV exposure, as they will likely have exposure to the elements before the full assembly is complete. Many products sold specifically for applications in rainscreens are designed to be durable throughout the more rugged challenge of a project’s construction timeline.
Adherence to Product Guidelines: All application-specific information provided by component manufacturers should be reviewed during the design, pre-construction, and construction phases of a project.
reSAWN’s specification reps can help building owners, architects, designers, builders, and all team members navigate rainscreen applications. Starting these conversations early in the design process allows reSAWN to suggest mock-up best practices and project-specific solutions. Our exterior installation guidelines were made with years of experience in a multitude of geographies, unique site locations, and countless specifications.
This reSAWN-made mockup was placed at an elevation of 7,000 feet in Northern, California. The materials endured two consecutive harsh winters with heavy snowfall, ice, wind, and rain. The materials are weathering well despite the exterior conditions.
Contact us today to be connected with a local specification representative to discuss your project needs. We can advise on species and finish selection for your desired aesthetics, and product life cycle performance.
Using sustainable building materials in the built environment is a top priority now, more than ever. Building and designing a structure in the modern era should include consideration for the long-lasting impact of all facets of the design and build process. Due to this shift in focus on sustainable building materials, wood flooring and exterior wood cladding are frequently sought out as sustainable building materials to specify. In addition to its environmental and sustainability attributes, wood has multiple benefits, including its aesthetic qualities, versatility, structural stability, and availability.
Environmental & Structural Benefits of Using Wood Cladding as an Exterior Building Material
According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, residential and commercial buildings are responsible for almost 40 % of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions1. Fortunately, utilizing exterior wood cladding helps to offset the emissions.
Wood is a carbon sink: Trees absorb carbon from the environment and hold onto the carbon through their life cycle – from a tree to building material. They use the energy from carbon dioxide in the air, sunlight, and water from the roots to create nutrients that fuel the rest of the tree. This means that solid wood building materials have a net-negative C02 profile, which helps reduce carbon emissions.
Source: Building Information Foundation, RTS; CEI-Bois
Wood has low embodied energy: Embodied energy is the total energy needed for extraction, processing, manufacturing, and delivery of building materials to a building site. Wood requires minimal energy to produce and install when compared to other building materials such as steel and concrete.
Wood has low thermal conductivity: Structures built with real wood cladding require less energy to heat and cool since wood is a natural insulator.
Renewable resource: Real wood is renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable meaning it will have less of an impact on the environment throughout its lifecycle.
Durability: When properly maintained, exterior wood cladding can stand the test of time. This makes wood an eco-friendly choice compared to other materials that require more maintenance or replacement. Different finishing processes can also help extend the life of the cladding.
Dimensional stability: Wood’s superior dimensional stability helps it perform well when exposed to the elements such as the sun, snow, and rain.
Source: Lignum June 2012
Benefits of Wood Based Designs in Interior Applications
Americans spend a whopping 93 percent of their lives indoors breathing in recycled air. What most don’t realize is the air we breathe indoors is on average 2X to 5X more toxic than what we breathe outdoors due to insufficient ventilation, synthetic building materials, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from a variety of products and materials. Thus, for many people, the health risks related to indoor air pollution may be greater than that of outdoor exposure.
Incorporating natural materials such as real wood flooring into a built environment helps to reduce blood pressure, heart rates, and stress levels, whilst improving well-being, creativity, cognitive abilities, and the air we breathe. Wood flooring is a timeless option, as it has been a favored building material for years. With multiple species, finish options, color variations, widths, and grade options, it can easily match any design aesthetic. When properly installed and maintained, wood floors can outlast many other flooring materials. reSAWN offers solid and engineered construction wood flooring that not only looks great but is sustainable as well.
Long-Lastingand Durable: Whether solid or engineered construction, wood flooring is durable and can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. This durability means a longer lifecycle for the product, especially when refinishing is considered instead of replacing. A recent report from Bona found a 78% carbon footprint reduction when refinishing rather than replacing wood floors2.
Better Air Quality: The EPA found that wood flooring improves overall air quality3. Wood flooring minimizes the acclimation of dust, dander, and other pollutants due to its solid surface. Choosing a finish that has a low to zero VOC content is also attributed to the air quality. reSAWN’s Hardwax-Oil finish is non-pollutant and completely non-toxic. It does not contain biocides, preservatives, or lead-benzene and is 100% VOC-free.
Biophilic Design: Numerous studies have found incorporating aspects of nature into the built environment, such as real wood flooring, can help the mental health and wellbeing of the building’s occupants.
reSAWN TIMBER co. KIP European White Oak flooring
reSAWN TIMBER co. provides new and reclaimed wood products for architectural specifications for flooring. Our carefully curated offering includes modern finishes on reclaimed woods and newly harvested wood species. We provide only the highest quality materials milled to our exacting standards and finished in a way that enhances the natural beauty of the wood. Our extensive offering includes solid & engineered construction, wide plank flooring, and FSC® woods.
Certifications for Green Building Initiatives
There are many certification programs that are often used by architects, designers, homeowners, and builders as guidelines and a solid framework for sustainable building initiatives. Although different programs have varying levels of standards, they all focus on building a healthier, more sustainable future in both the commercial and residential building sectors. At reSAWN TIMBER co. we focus on LEED®, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®), and The Living Building Challenge.
LEED
LEED, also known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building certification system in the world. LEED-certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and create healthier places for people. Most projects, whether it’s new construction, a renovation, or an interior fit-out can apply for LEED credits.
A project earns LEED points/credits by following guidelines relating to carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality. Points can be earned for each recognized green building feature. The more points obtained, the higher level of certification a project can achieve. The different levels of certification include LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, or LEED Platinum. A 2014 UC Berkeley study4 found that by building to LEED standards, buildings contributed 50% fewer greenhouse gasses than conventionally constructed buildings due to water consumption, 48% fewer greenhouse gasses due to solid waste, and 5% fewer greenhouse gases due to transportation.
Nixon Peabody – LEED Platinum Certified – reSAWN TIMBER co. Rift and Quarter Sawn White Oak Fooring
According to LEED:
35% of credits are related to climate change
20% of credits directly impact human health
15% of credits impact water resources
10% of credits affect biodiversity
10% of credits related to the green economy
5% of credits impact the community
5% of credits impact natural resources
A factor of LEED certification is material selection. Material selection can affect many aspects of a project, including comfort, air quality, and human health. reSAWN TIMBER co. lists earnable credits on all our products, so you can know firsthand what credits your project qualifies for. Some of the common credits reSAWN products qualify for include certified wood, rapidly renewable materials, and low-emitting materials.
FSC®
FSC®, also known as the Forest Stewardship Council, focuses on responsibly managed forests as a way to extend trees’ natural carbon sequestration throughout their lifecycle. FSC’s mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Two types of certification are offered, Chain of Custody and Forest Management. The certifications provide an honest, transparent look into the path the products take from the forest to a finished FSC® certified product.
reSAWN TIMBER co. – IKIGAI Shou Sugi Ban Charred FSC® Certified Accoya Exterior Cladding and Roofing
FSC® chain of custody certification assures that products sold with an FSC® claim originate from well-managed forests, controlled sources, or reclaimed materials. It includes the multiple stages of the product, including sourcing, processing, trading, and distribution. Certificate holders are also required to implement the FSC® core labor requirements in their operations, ensuring the organization does not partake in forced labor or discrimination in employment. reSAWN holds a Chain of Custody certificate, allowing most reSAWN products to be certified in 1 of 3 categories: FSC® 100%, FSC® Mix, and FSC® Recycled.
Living Building Challenge
The International Living Future Institute is leading the transformation toward a civilization that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. They understand that humanity needs to reconcile its relationship with the natural world and leave it better than it was found. ILFI offers many certifications and challenges to better the built environment, including the Living Building Challenge, Living Product Challenge, Living Community Challenge, and Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certification.
The Living Building Challenge is a philosophy, advocacy tool, and certification program for sustainable buildings. The challenge’s goals focus on resource conservation and sustainable practices in the architecture, design, and construction of all buildings while connecting the communities and their inhabitants to the world surrounding them. These goals can apply to new construction, existing buildings, landscape or infrastructure, and internal projects in the residential and commercial sectors. The program is constantly evolving – the current standard is The Living Building Challenge 4.0. They use a flower with seven petals, or Imperatives, of actionable standards to build and design for a Living Future.
Place: The Place petal focuses on understanding and honoring the place where the built environment stands while honoring, protecting, and enhancing the ecology surrounding the project.
Water: The Water petal focuses on an inherent understanding of the value of water – minimizing waste, avoiding pollution, using less, and not using potable water for irrigation to ensure responsible water use.
Energy: The Energy petal focuses on renewable energy that helps the building operate in an energy-efficient and pollution-free manner, minimizing carbon emissions related to energy.
Health & Happiness: The Health & Happiness petal focuses on creating healthy spaces that allow natural light, healthy air, and a healthy interior environment that benefits the project’s occupants and the nature surrounding it.
Materials: The Materials petal focuses on building materials that are non-toxic and ecologically restorative while being transparent about their ingredients. 50% of wood products must be FSC®, salvaged, or harvested on-site either for the purpose of clearing the area for construction or to restore or maintain the continued ecological function of the site. The remainder must be from low-risk sources5. The project must also contain one Declare label product per approximately 2,153 square feet of gross building area.
Equity: The Equity petal focuses on creating and nurturing communities that are just and inclusive, enabling all people to prosper and reach their full potential. This includes making the building accessible to all while ensuring that the building is mutually beneficial for its inhabitants and the community it supports.
Beauty: The Beauty petal focuses on connecting to nature through biophilic design. A beautiful building starts with people and nature and their symbiotic relationships to place, climate, culture, and community.
As of April 2019, ILFI reported 563 registered Living Building projects in 29 countries. Abodo Vulcan Cladding received the Declare label from the International Living Future Institute, affirming their products are Red List Free, making it an excellent building material choice. reSAWN TIMBER co. is proud to be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Abodo thermally modified Vulcan cladding, slats, and decking products in the USA.
Sustainability: A Pillar of Who We Are at reSAWN TIMBER co.
Aside from offering FSC® certified wood products and our contributions to LEED-certified projects, reSAWN is committed to the goals of sustainable building through the use of non-toxic finishes, reclaimed woods, FSC® certified modified woods and new products that are sustainably sourced.
reSAWN TIMBER co. was founded in 2009 by offering sustainable, low-VOC finishes to the architectural and design community in the Philadelphia area. From our humble beginnings 13 years ago to today, sustainability has and always will be a core value of our business.
reSAWN TIMBER co. is committed to working with Architects and Designers to create sustainable products that highlight wood’s natural beauty. We believe in making only high-quality products that are durable and meant to last for many years, which reduces building waste.
Net Zero Energy McDonald’s at Walt Disney World – Bay Lake, Florida – reSAWN TIMBER co. HALLO Charred Kebony® Slats
reSAWN’s extensive offering includes products that are:
FSC®certified – Accoya and Abodo modified wood products are FSC®-certified. Most of our flooring is available FSC® certified. (FSC® C122513)
Carbon negative – Abodo Vulcan Cladding’s release of their Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) included that Abodo Vulcan Cladding is carbon negative.
Cradle to Cradle Certified – Accoya is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified, due to the products’ environmental credentials and sustainable long life
Low to Zero VOC Finished Products– reSAWN’s versatile product offering includes finishes that are plant-based, low VOC, and Zero VOC.
Reclaimed offering – reSAWN’s reclaimed wood preserves the unique beauty of antique wood and comes from a variety of sources throughout the Appalachian Region.
LEED point eligible – Numerous reSAWN products qualify for LEED credits that range from rapidly renewable resource to low-emitting materials.
Locally sourced species– With Cypress sourced in the Southern United States, Alaskan Yellow Cedar sourced along the North American Pacific Coast from the California-Oregon border to Southern Alaska, and Western Red Cedar from the Pacific Northwest region; we offer wood cladding options that are sustainably harvested in the USA.
Backed by warranties – Our Modified wood offering includes Kebony, Abodo, and Accoya wood. Kebony is backed by a 30-year outdoor warranty, Abodo offers a 15-year warranty against fungal decay, and Accoya offers a 50-year above-ground warranty and a 25-year at/below ground level warranty.
Dune House ft. IRUKA shou sugi ban Cypress utilized passive building principlesCorwith Residence ft. SVERTE shou sugi ban Kebony cladding – Net Zero Home
We are continually improving our techniques and finishes; based on the needs in the building materials market, the observations of experienced industry leaders, and a first-hand understanding of customer desires and expectations.
reSAWN products can assist you in achieving your project goals in aesthetics, performance, and sustainability – all at the same time. Contact us today to connect with the local reSAWN representative in your area to learn more about our sustainable product offering.
Whether you’re an architect, builder, or designer at some point decisions need to be made about the exterior envelope of a built environment. There are many exterior siding options on the market, such as fiber cement, metal panels, brick, stucco, and stone to name just a few. However, from a durability and sustainability standpoint, there is nothing quite like genuine wood siding. Besides bringing warmth and beauty to the exterior of a home or structure, sustainably harvested timber cladding is renewable, dimensionally stable, and solid. When finished with care and expertise, exterior wood cladding can handle harsh weather conditions with grace while maintaining beauty for years to come.
Why Finish Real Exterior Wood Cladding?
Wood is a natural, sustainable material. As such, when unprotected wood is exposed to outdoor elements like moisture, sunlight, and wind it begins to weather. Without a protective coating or treatment, exposed wood such as siding and trim will change in appearance in a few months or years when compared to the look of day 1 installation. Protecting and maintaining timber cladding is key to keeping it looking at its best for years to come. Finishes protect wood from the elements by preventing UV deterioration, moisture absorption, and staining from mildew and extractives. Finishes also improve the service life of topcoats and are often used to achieve a certain visual aesthetic.
Prefinished wood cladding, also known as machine-finished or factory-finished is pre-coated or finished to a certain specification by a manufacturer prior to it being installed at a job site.
Even for the most experienced painter, it can be difficult to avoid minor on-site mishaps like oversprays, streaks, drips, job site dirt pick-up, or lap marks. Utilizing prefinished wood products provides several advantages over site finishing. When factory finished exterior wood cladding products are specified, it expedites field time and provides a consistent, fully vetted, quality-controlled product that can be installed year-round.
Benefits of Specifying Prefinished Cladding from reSAWN TIMBER co.
Research & Development – For each wood species, a certain understanding of how that species accepts finishes and how it will weather is crucial. reSAWN has the research, industry knowledge, and exterior wall assembly expertise to guide a specifier, builder, or end-user through the process.
ChoosingFinish Options – We will ensure that the correct species and finish is selected for aesthetics, optimal coating, and product life cycle performance. Depending on which species is selected, many different finishes are possible.
Environmentally Responsible Finishes – Our finishes are ultra-low/zero VOC, plant-based, sustainable and can contribute to LEED projects.
Aesthetics – Our designs display wood’s sought-after texture and character in their rawest form and provide a bespoke, modern, natural, visually appealing facade with exceptional durability results.
State of the Art Finishing and Texturing Equipment – Our state-of-the-art finishing and “texturing” equipment offers sophisticated results that cannot be achieved during on site finishing. While allowing for the beautiful natural variations inherent to wood, each board will be consistent in color from end to end and from the first piece to the last piece.
Maximum Finish Penetration – Our machine application ensures proper spread rates are maintained. Finishes are brushed deep into the surface for a longer product life span.
4 Sided Protection – reSAWN’s products are sealed on all 4 sides, including the backside and the tongue and groove ensuring total protection from UV and moisture for the best protection.
Drying Time & Space – Drying racks that are used to hold wet cladding on a job site are costly and take up much-needed space. Prefinished wood materials are finished and dried in a controlled environment prior to arriving on a job site.
Product Protection – siding is protected from exposure to water and sunlight until it arrives at the construction site.
Cost – Prefinished wood siding may appear to cost more however this differential is made up for in terms of time saved. Factory-finished cladding can be installed much more quickly when compared to a facade that needs to be installed and painted. In many cases, the all-in cost of site finishing is likely to be more or at least equal to buying prefinished.
Save Space – Save physical space on a job site by eliminating the coating phase from the construction process.
Year-Round Finishing & Installation – No weather or humidity delays for stain application. reSAWN’s manufacturing facility is climate controlled and operates 12 months out of the year.
Easier Maintenance – Our prefinished products look beautiful on day one and continue to weather as nature takes over – with little to no aesthetic maintenance needed. This leaves more time to enjoy the product and less time taking care of it.
Maintenance FreeOptions – Save time and money. Modified wood brands like Accoya® and Kebony® don’t require any maintenance or additional treatment beyond standard cleaning.
Prefinished Exterior Wood Cladding Provides Many Aesthetic Benefits
At reSAWN TIMBER co. we celebrate and visually leverage wood’s inherent tendency to weather over time by designing stunning, modern, high-performance products that are rigorously tested and meant to patina gracefully. We offer a variety of aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, plant-based, environmentally responsible factory finishes in a wide range of color options. If there’s a specific color, stain or texture needed our finishing experts can craft the desired custom finish with ease.
Custom Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya by reSAWN TIMBER co.
We developed our exterior prefinished product lines based on a need in the building materials market, the observations of experienced industry leaders, and a first-hand understanding of customer desires and expectations. That, combined with our exceptionally durable species offering and stunning No/ Ultra-low VOC finishes, will help maintain the value of a wood investment for many years to come. reSAWN offers a multitude of high-performing prefinished exterior species that include western red cedar, Atlantic white cedar, Abodo, Accoya, and Kebony. In addition to weathered finishes, reSAWN’s exterior offering includes award-winning charred designs.
Pre-Weathered Designs
From day one, our pre-weathered designs pay homage to wood’s naturally warm and cool tones without the need to wait years for it to patina. The prefinished material mimics the look of textured wood that has been exposed to years of exterior elements and left to weather with grace. This design solution solves for wood’s natural propensity to gray out by resembling a weathered look at the time of installation, with little aesthetic change as it ages in place. Color and weathering expectations are set at the time of material specification since there will be little to no change in the color of the wood as it ages. reSAWN’s pre-weathered offerings are sustainably harvested in the United States.
ROARING 40s by reSAWN TIMBER co.
In many structures that utilize interior and exterior cladding, there’s a visual division between the exterior wall cladding and interior wall cladding. With our pre-weathered wood designs, there can be a seamless interior/exterior aesthetic from day one when prefinished exterior cladding is continued into the interior of the structure.
We work with a number of wood finishes to recreate the look of weathered wood. For example, SiOO:X is a premium wood protector that provides a long-term weathered look while providing protection – and can last up to 10+ years. This protection lasts a long time, so maintenance cycles are lessened considerably. In addition to the protective benefits gained, as the mineral silicate cures over time, it will start to turn the timber a beautiful, even silver/greyish tone starting from 10-16 weeks (depending on the timber species the weathering period may vary).
Charred Designs
reSAWN’s CHARRED offering includes modified woods like Accoya and Kebony, Abodo, cypress, cedar, black walnut, reclaimed hemlock, and newly harvested western hemlock. The designs and species used vary greatly in color and aesthetics from a fully charred black to light, subtle gray.
We apply our own interpretation to the ancient Japanese shou sugi ban process and take great pride in designing shou sugi ban products on high-performance modified woods. Modified wood aims to overcome the shortcomings of standard timber. The modification process enhances the performance of the wood, resulting in improvements in the longevity of timbers – dimensional stability, decay resistance, reduced water absorption, less expansion/contraction, etc. In addition, since most advanced modification processes are environmentally friendly, the materials can still be disposed of properly at the end of the product life cycle.
MATSU Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya by reSAWN TIMBER co.
Using modified wood as a base for charring increases the durability of the wood, which makes it an excellent choice for a dimensionally stable option that will perform well when exposed to harsh exterior conditions like snow, sun, and rain. Plus, charcoal stays on the surface of modified wood much better than standard softwood species that will chip over time. Our modern manufacturing techniques allow for a higher production yield and many design variations.
reSAWN TIMBER co. Philosophy
The reSAWN team works with wood’s natural tendency to grey, not against it. Our prefinished products look beautiful on day one and continue to as nature takes over – with little to no aesthetic maintenance needed depending on aesthetic expectations.
ZEPHYR by reSAWN TIMBER co.
Each board works cohesively together, yet each board has its own visual story. The result is modern textural beauty & inherent originality with each and every project. From the start, expect color and texture that is one-of-a-kind and incredibly interesting.
Samples of our prefinished wood are available for architects and designers at no cost and shipped via UPS Ground. Click on the button below to explore reSAWN’s complete product offering – sort by species, color, or application.
In an unprecedented reversal of American history the US population is becoming less concentrated in urban areas. Many Americans are moving out of big cities and metropolitan areas en route to the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas.
As more and more people live in and around forests, grasslands, shrub lands, and other natural areas—places referred to as wildland-urban interface, or WUI zones—problems related to wildfires are exacerbated. There are more wildfires due to human ignition. Wildfires that do occur pose a greater risk to lives and homes, they are hard to fight, and it becomes impossible to let natural fires burn.1National Academy of Sciences Furthermore, the expenses to reduce fire hazards, battle rapidly spreading fires, and protect homes and human lives have risen pointedly in recent decades.
What is the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)?
The wildland urban interface consists of geographical areas where human development and infrastructure (e.g., cell towers, schools, water supply facilities, etc.) meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildlands.
They are locations where wildfires have their greatest impacts on people and property. WUI zones are of concern for the public, federal, state, and local governments, so wildfire mitigation and preparedness are necessary when living within WUI zones.
Where is the Wildland Urban Interface Within the US?
Across the United States, wildland-urban interface zones in areas within California, Utah, Arizona and Oregon are experiencing wildfires. California has the most densely packed WUI in the United States.2Rethinking the Wildland-Urban Interface. Currently, they have just over 11.2 million people living in about 4.46 million homes across 6.7 million acres. Six of the twenty largest wildfires in California history were part of the 2020 wildfire season. Five of the new wildfires ranking in the top 10 were all a part of the August 2020 lightning fires. 3California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
In the Pacific northwest and the lake states, forests are the predominant wildland fuel. In southern California, chaparral brush predominates. The plains states have grass and oak woodlands, New Jersey has Pine Barrens, and the southeast has pine and hardwood forests.4FEMA
Given that wildfires can occur in any wildland area; and the number of acres burned has been increasing; and the number of houses in the WUI is increasing, federal, state, and local government agencies are focusing more on promoting the concept of “fire-adapted” communities. 5USDA A fire adapted community is defined by the United States Forest Service as “a knowledgeable and engaged community in which the awareness and actions of residents regarding infrastructure, buildings, landscaping, and the surrounding ecosystem lessens the need for extensive protection actions and enables the community to safely accept fire as a part of the surrounding landscape.” 6The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
Introduction of Wildland Urban Interface Construction Codes
As of January 2008, the 2007 California Building Code (CBC) went into effect along with the inclusion of Wildland Urban Interface building standards. For building products to be used in the (WUI) or State Responsibility Area (SRA), regulations require that building products comply with specific directives. In terms of fire resistance and ignition resistance the primary goal of the WUI code is to hold construction practices to higher standards in the built environment. When a home or structure is designed and built with attention to detail and careful consideration of complaint building materials, it increases the chances of a structure’s survival in a wildfire.
California Fire Standards for WUI Compliant Exterior Wood Products
According to California Building Code (CBC), the minimum requirement for building envelope components such as siding/cladding is that an exterior wall covering or wall assembly shall comply with one of the following requirements:
Wall assemblies that have been tested in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in ASTM E2707 with the conditions of acceptance shown in Section 707A.3.1
Wall assemblies that meet the performance criteria in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-1.
The benefits of using real wood cladding with wall assemblies that meet the performance criteria set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-1 are tremendous:
When compared to noncombustiblebuildingmaterials such as steel and masonry, using WUI compliant exterior wood cladding and wall assemblies offer a sustainable, environmentally friendly, carbon neutral solution.
Ignition resistant fire-retardant-treated wood is impregnated with chemicals, so the use of paints, coating, stains or other visually pleasing surface treatments are not an option.
From an architectural and design perspective, WUI compliant exterior wood cladding has many aesthetically pleasing options to suite any project, with a bevy of species and finish options to choose from.
Exterior timber cladding is a versatile, timeless building material that works well in traditional or contemporary architecture.
Not only is real wood recyclable and biodegradable, but it also has strength, toughness, and durability that rivals many other exterior facade options on the market today.
reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Abodo® Vulcan Cladding was recently tested on an exterior wall assembly in accordance with the California Standards Code, Chapter 12-7A, SFM 12-7A-1 (Siding Materials for Exterior Wall Siding and Sheathing). The test simulated wildfire conditions using full size 4′ x 8′ panels that were exposed to a flame of 150 Kw for ten minutes. After, the panels were then observed for 60 minutes to check for further flaming. In order to gather accurate results, the process was repeated three times.
There is an absence of flame penetration through the wall assembly.
There is an absence of glowing combustion on the interior of the assembly after 70 minutes.
A test for siding in both a horizontal and vertical orientation is required to be sure of performance.
reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Abodo Vulcan Cladding is WUI Compliant
reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Abodo Vulcan cladding passed the test for both horizontal and vertical orientations for upcoming inclusion in the WUI Products Listing. A copy of the test results can be found here. The result? Abodo Vulcan cladding is now a compliant wildland urban interface building material.
SFM Standard 12-7A-1 Test Requirements
Test Results
Pass/Fail
Absence of flame penetration through the wall assembly at any time.
Flame penetration through the assembly was not observed during the full duration of the test
PASS
Absence of evidence of glowing combustion on the interior surface of the assembly at the end of the 70-minute test
Evidence of glowing combustion on the interior surface of the assembly at the end of the 70-minute duration for all three tests was not present
PASS
Abodo Vulcan thermally modified wood cladding is created from New Zealand plantation timber and engineered with a patented vertical grain orientation for superior weathering characteristics. A fine-sawn face provides beautiful grain depth and optimal coating performance.
Builders can rest-assured when choosing a wall assembly that combines reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Vulcan Cladding with fire-rated sheathing or gypsum board, the result is durable, CAL FIRE WUI compliant exterior siding that is impervious to hazardous weather conditions.
Since reSAWN’s Abodo Vulcan Cladding is pre-finished in modern, beautiful tones, architects and designers can confidently specify carbon negative, high performance, visually pleasing Vulcan exterior siding in wildland-urban interface zones. Clients are left with a stunning, natural, one-of-a-kind facade that can be easily maintained throughout the product lifecycle.
If you’d like to learn more about specifying reSAWN’s CalFire compliant Abodo Vulcan Cladding in Wildland Urban Interface zones, get in touch with us.
