Using Sustainable Wood for a Sustainable Build

The homebuilding industry is booming—but the real test is in ensuring we use as many sustainable materials as we can when building those homes. Wood is used in many types of structures during construction, and trees are being cut down to make room for more homes to be built. So how can we ensure that the types of wood we use in construction are sustainable enough to have a minimal impact on the environment? 

This is the reason that Ben & Annie’s Trees for Tomorrow was initially founded. Our team has made it their mission to reverse the incidental destruction that occurs when new-home communities are built—and we’ll continue working toward that goal every day. Read on to see the best types of wood to use to maintain a sustainable building effort.  

How can you ensure the process is sustainable?

It’s considered sustainable to use wood in building practices when the trees are taken from a forest and from a company that quickly plants more trees to ensure the area is continuously producing more wood. Some programs and businesses have been certified by groups such as the American Tree Farm System to let any customers know that the wood they purchased has been sourced sustainably. Even this proves difficult at times, though, when the wood needs to be dried and processed—usually requiring a large amount of energy to do so. If possible, an alternative for this would be to use as much reclaimed wood as you can—additionally keeping any wood waste out of landfills. 

What types of wood are most sustainable in building?

There are a few types of wood that are known to be the most sustainable to use in building materials. Pine trees grow relatively quickly, which means that the forests where they were cut down are able to easily replenish themselves after the trees are initially taken out. Maple trees are another great type of sustainable wood that is commonly used for home flooring and white ash trees are a popular choice within sustainable wood for their durability and flexibility that is often desired in home furniture. If your project allows for sustainable wood to be used—the benefit to the environment outweighs the costs. 

Become a partner today

Overall, our goal at Ben & Annie’s Trees for Tomorrow is to educate those within the homebuilding industry to make decisions that are good for the environment—and ultimately good for their homeowners. We want to encourage new-construction home builders to take it upon themselves to re-plant trees as they continue building communities throughout their locations—so if you’d like to become a partner with us as we work toward this goal, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re interested in learning more about our mission and the work that we do—give us a call at (210) 670-5297 or fill out our online form today.