A coalition of sponsors introduced an emission standards bill in early September on Capitol Hill.  Broadly based on the California Air Resources Board’s CARB rule that began last January, this legislation would mandate a reduction in formaldehyde levels in composite wood products–particle board, plywood, and medium density fiberboard.  The EPA says urea-formaldehyde can be toxic, allergenic, and carcinogenic.  It is a VOC (volatile organic compound) that can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer.  Hopefully, this legislation will pass and the EPA can enact a mandate effective as early as 2011.

Where would I find formaldehyde in my home?  It is commonly used as a drying agent for adhesives in composite wood products such as plywood, MDF, flooring, cabinetry and doors.  Compliance labels may show a product as no-added formaldehyde, ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde, or formaldehyde-free.  The word “added” is due to the fact that small levels of formaldehyde occur naturally in wood.

Be sure to know what compliance you are quoted.  While many producers have already made the change, many are resistant due to the added cost.  The good news is, once there is a mandate, it will be a level playing field and the safer products won’t be passed up for budget reasons.

There are do-it-yourself tests for formaldehyde levels in your home but I recommend finding a professional for an accurate test.

Photo credit: elgreco in bethesda

The Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM) at the University of Washington conducted a study on the environmental impact of lumber production.  They have interesting findings that might shock you regarding the sustainablility of wood.  Wood is among the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly of all building materials.  Wood buildings are readily adapted and are a renewable resource, a characteristic of unparalleled value.  

CORRIM is a non-profit consortium of 15 research institutions formed to research the use of wood as a renewable material. In the study, CORRIM used typical building designs to construct hypothetical homes, and then compared the environmental benefits of wood-framed versus steel-framed houses in a cold climate and wood versus concrete in a warm climate.  The study looked at environmental effects across the entire life cycle of the home and produced the following results:

Energy Use:

• Construction of the wood-frame home used 17% less energy than the matching steel-frame home.
• Construction of the wood-frame home used 16% less energy than the matching concrete-frame home.
• The energy consumption measured included not just electricity, but also diesel and fuel oil to extract and haul materials, natural gas to generate steam in lumber mills, and electricity for steel mills.  

Global Warming:

• The global warming potential of the wood-frame home was 26% lower than the steel-frame home.
• The global warming potential for the wood-frame home was 31% lower than for the concrete-frame home.
• Using wood products instead of steel or concrete can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels because more than half the energy used by wood mills comes from biomass – bark, sawdust and other residuals – a renewable source of energy.  

Photo credit: sunshinecity

Take advantage of the tax credit available for purchasing a qualified energy-efficient exterior door or window by  December 31, 2010.  In short, the door must meet a U Factor and SHGC rating of 0.30.  Congress raised the per-item credit to 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500.  They also extended the deadline for making the improvements through the end of 2010.  If you have already purchased a qualified efficient door or window you are not left out.  The act is retroactive to Jan. 1, so if you installed a product meeting the previous criteria it qualifies for the larger credit. 

Seventy percent of the GHG emissions related to single-family envelope energy consumption can be attributed to homes built before California had an energy code (1983).  The statewide carbon impact of retrofitting these homes with upgraded energy features was explored.  Spending $10,000 retrofitting a 1960s home could save 8.5 tons of carbon at a cost of between $588-$1,176 per ton (…)  Increasing the energy efficiency of a new home by 35% would cost about $5,000 and would reduce emissions by 1.1 tons at a cost of $4,545 per ton. Retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient features is four- to eight times more carbon- and cost-efficient than adding even more energy efficiency requirements to new housing.

 Not all ENERGY STAR rated doors qualify, contact BMC West for assistance.  Visit energystar.gov for credits in solar-energy panels, water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, small wind-energy systems and fuel cells as well.

Only the elements of nature can craft the beauty of vintage wood.  Skilled craftsmen transform reclaimed timbers into flooring and siding unequaled in beauty and quality.

I recently met with Tracey Rappaport (president of urban woods company) at a trade show in Dallas. They buy and sell re-claimed timbers and hardwoods for re-sale in board footage for use in building doors, cabinets, and trim mouldings as well as nominal boards (1×4, 1×6, 1×8, 1×12) for furniture, cabinets etc. I am contacting her to have her come and check out our custom mill and see if we can add their products to our offerings.

Only the elements of nature can craft the beauty of vintage wood.  Skilled craftsmen transform reclaimed timbers into flooring and siding unequaled in beauty and quality.

Urbanwoods Company represents reclaimed lumber mills from across the country bringing the rustic rural and industrial uniqueness to the urban setting.

Sustainable building practices continue to surge and are here to stay.  Their materials are 100% recycled from reclaimed or salvaged barns, abandoned factories, mills to Wyoming snowfence and breweries and can be used to create spaces from vintage rustic to modern contemporary in both residential and commercial settings.

Photo credit: forestproductivity.net

Looking for a great product that also helps the environment?  You must be thinking wood.  No?  Well maybe you should.  Being green doesn’t mean you have to build a cold ultra modern house.  One of BMC’s sheetgood vendors, Sierra Pacific, points out common misconceptions about the resourcefulness of wood. 

Trees provide the only 100% renewable, recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable building product we have. Trees can be planted and grown in an endless cycle using the sun as their energy source.  Here are more reasons why wood is so environmentally friendly:

• In part because of economic incentives to replant, the total volume of wood in U.S. forests is actually 25% greater than in 1952.  Today, 37% more wood fiber is grown than is harvested in the United States.

• During the long growing period, trees grown for harvesting help clean the air.  During photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

• Wood biodegrades naturally.  When it burns or slowly decomposes, it enriches the soil.

Using wood products is not counterproductive but be sure you know where it is coming from.  The most recognized independent certification in wood products, FSC, assures that the best practices are used.  While BMC offers many FSC products, “only 5% of the world’s productive forests are FSC certified.  With over 13,500 certificates (July 2009), the number of companies along the forest product supply chain committing to FSC certification peaked at 50% in 2008.” 

Hopefully, you are one of those educated consumers that can increase this number.  Buying FSC certified wood products creates a demand for responsible forestry which is more than just a feel good stamp.  It ensures biodiversity, protects endangered forests, and makes them more viable for the future.  So think outside the box, and look inside the forest.

Self-contained Vacuum System

Consider full chain of custody when designing green.  No matter what lengths the manufacturer takes to produce an earth friendly product, the many hands of custody can be just as crucial.  Fancy certifications can be useless when they travel halfway across the world or are shipped to a high-exposure distributor.  The residential construction industry in Dallas is struggling to meet growing demands for green because it’s fairly new here.  Many distrubutors use good practices but have not seen justification to audit for certification.  Will we get there?  Yes.  But for the time being you should expect to pay for it. 

• No environmental exposure policy, certified by the State of  Texas
• 100% of manufacturing waste is recycled to local businesses
• More efficient CNC router replaces 12 traditional shapers
• Computerized line machine is 20% more efficient than previous machine
• Pursuing high efficiency lighting that would use 40% less energy
• Fleet of cab-over trucks replaced flat bed, using 30% less fuel
• Manufacturing glues and seals are non-toxic, water-based
• Delivery/dispatch tracking system minimizes vehicle travel distances
• Damaged and incorrect orders are resold to public or salvage
• High yield machining reducing mill waste
• Usable trim leftover at jobsite is credited back and resold
• Finger-joint trim has no added Formaldehyde
• MDF and flexible trim has low VOC and no Mercury content