Choosing timber supplies for your home project can be a challenge if you've never visited a lumberyard before and have never had to choose your own timber. It can be even more challenging if you're very eco-conscious and want to ensure you have as little impact on the environment with your choice as possible. However, it's not impossible to choose timber that is actually eco-friendly and to make responsible choices when buying wood of any sort. Note a few suggestions for how to make eco-friendly choices for timber supplies for your next home project.
1. Sustainability
Sustainability refers to how easy it is to sustain or grow a certain supply of timber. As an example, bamboo is considered very sustainable because bamboo trees grow very quickly. When shopping for timber supplies, look for sustainable wood, which may mean more than just the species; some forests are created just for harvesting the wood for lumber supplies, rather than natural forests being cut down. You can look for wood marked as being from a sustainable source so you're not contributing to deforestation.
2. Composite materials
Composite wood materials means that wood has been mixed with another material and then usually pressed and formed so that it looks like solid wood. To make an eco-friendly choice, opt for composite materials of plastic, lumber mill scraps, and other such pieces. The plastic may come from a variety of sources and is often shredded to such small pieces that you don't realize the wood has plastic mixed in, and this can mean helping to keep those plastic pieces out of landfills. For the most eco-friendly choice, look for composite materials that are specifically made from scrap materials.
3. Treated timber
Treated timber refers to wood that has had a chemical applied to it in order to act as a type of protective substance; this chemical will help to keep wood from absorbing moisture and allowing mold and mildew growth, and from termites burrowing into the wood. Treated timber is often needed for any outdoor project, but note the type of material used for this process. Opt for something that is eco-friendly and noted to be organic, versus any treatment with copper, arsenic, and other harmful substances. You might also choose an organic sealant for your wood and apply it over the surface in order to keep the chemicals from leaching into the ground and to give your timber an added layer of protection.
For more information, contact companies like Hayter's Timber & Paving.
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