Value

Beyond Beauty

Why Hardwood?

Hardwood Sustainability

Hardwood is

Carbon

Neutral

Negative

Carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels intensify global warming, endangering the environment. However, hardwood offers a natural remedy by acting as a 'carbon bank.' Through photosynthesis, trees absorb CO2 and store it within their biomass. When trees, including aging, dying, and diseased ones, are harvested responsibly for hardwood products, this carbon remains locked in, mitigating emissions. Additionally, converting these trees into hardwood products prevents the carbon they would emit back into the atmosphere. Choosing wood over plastic or metal reduces emissions, perpetuates the carbon storage cycle, and fosters sustainability.

Hardwood forest capturing carbon emissions.

Hardwood Value

A Lasting

Investment

Leveraging U.S. hardwood products can significantly elevate the quality and longevity of your projects. Hardwood flooring not only delivers timeless aesthetics but can also return 2.5 times its cost upon property resale, enhancing client investment. The global hardwood market, projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023 to 2030, underscores the increasing demand for high-quality, sustainable materials. Beyond flooring, U.S. hardwood’s durability extends to furniture and cabinetry, ensuring long-lasting, high-performance applications. Moreover, the U.S. hardwood industry supports over 1.8 million jobs, emphasizing its economic impact and the importance of sustainable forestry practices.

A family stands on a hardwood floor that will last for generations.

Hardwood Durability

Lifetime

Durability

U.S. hardwood is highly durable, with red oak being tough enough to withstand significant wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. Properly maintained, hardwood flooring can last over 50 years, offering long-term value. White oak's superior water resistance makes it suitable for kitchens and entryways. Hardwood is also ideal for cabinetry and moulding, which are noted for their longevity and resilience, contributing to the overall durability and aesthetic appeal of homes and commercial spaces. In 2022, hardwood replacement flooring accounted for 53.6% of the market, driven by upgrades from vinyl and carpet, highlighting its continued popularity and resilience.

Refinishing a hardwood table to extend its lifespan.

Alternative Comparison

See How It

Stacks Up

Hardwood products excel across various categories. Hardwood flooring ensures cleaner air and enduring beauty in comparison to vinyl flooring. Hardwood furniture lasts generations, unlike particle board's short lifespan and synthetic composition. Hardwood CLT offers eco-friendly construction, faster building times, and stronger panels compared to steel, addressing environmental concerns and construction challenges associated with steel beams. It's evident why hardwood products are preferred by discerning consumers seeking quality, longevity, and sustainability.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring doesn't trap dust or allergens, ensuring cleaner air. Compared to vinyl, hardwood offers sustainability because it can be refinished and restored. Additionally, hardwood flooring has the lowest carbon emissions compared to other flooring materials, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Dust and allergen-free
Lasts up to 50+ years, can be refinished
Lowest impact among all flooring materials, emitting only 9.2 kg CO2e per square meter

Dust and allergen-free
Lasts up to 50+ years, can be refinished
Lowest impact among all flooring materials, emitting only 9.2 kg CO2e per square meter

Vinyl Flooring

Despite its popularity, vinyl flooring emits Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that degrade indoor air quality, causing respiratory issues and headaches. Lacking hardwood’s durability and refinishing options, its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composition poses environmental and health concerns.

PVC is non-renewable and carcinogenic
Lasts up to 20 years, no refinishing
Emits 41.8 kg CO2e per square meter

PVC is non-renewable and carcinogenic
Lasts up to 20 years, no refinishing
Emits 41.8 kg CO2e per square meter

Hardwood Furniture

Lasting generations beyond particle board, hardwood is the top choice when it comes to choosing furniture. Sustainable forestry practices ensure tree replenishment, while consumers favor hardwood for its premium value.

Lasts 50+ years
50% higher consumer preference
Forestry regenerates: 2.4 seedlings per harvested tree

Lasts 50+ years
50% higher consumer preference
Forestry regenerates: 2.4 seedlings per harvested tree

Particle Board Furniture

Particle board falls short to hardwood because it has a limited lifespan, lacks hardwood's natural beauty, and is bound with synthetic resins.

Only lasts 10-15 years
Lacks natural beauty of hardwood
Made with synthetic resins like formaldehyde

Only lasts 10-15 years
Lacks natural beauty of hardwood
Made with synthetic resins like formaldehyde

Hardwood Mass Timber architectural installation.

Hardwood CLT

Hardwood CLT offers eco-friendly construction, faster building times, and stronger panels compared to steel.

1.6 tons less CO2/cubic meter vs. steel
Reduces building time by 25%
Higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel

1.6 tons less CO2/cubic meter vs. steel
Reduces building time by 25%
Higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel

Steel Beams

Steel production emits more CO2. Not to mention, steel beams are challenging during construction, potentially increasing costs. Lastly, consumers favor hardwood's appearance over steel.

1.83 metric tons CO2 emissions / 1 ton steel produced
Longer and more expensive construction
Less visually appealing industrial appearance

1.83 metric tons CO2 emissions / 1 ton steel produced
Longer and more expensive construction
Less visually appealing industrial appearance

Did You Know?

Bacteria survive for shorter periods on oak wood surfaces compared to stainless steel and aluminum, thanks to its natural antimicrobial properties. According to a peer-reviewed study published in 2020, wood's antimicrobial power comes from both its chemical makeup and its physical structure, which makes it tough for harmful bacteria to thrive.

Hardwood Beauty

Naturally

Breathtaking

Invest in a sustainable material that improves with age. U.S. hardwood offers timeless elegance and distinct character through natural grain and texture variations, developing a rich patina over time. Its visual harmony enhances any design space. Incorporating hardwood can increase productivity by 15% due to its natural aesthetic. Versatile and adaptable, hardwood caters to diverse design needs across cultural and social contexts. Additionally, biophilic-certified buildings using natural elements like wood boost cognitive performance by 26.4%, making hardwood an evidence-based choice for community cohesion and individual well-being.

Grand entrance and staircase featuring hardwood flooring and paneling.