By Wendy McIlquham and Valerie Berset-Price, Harris Wood
In North America, choosing hardwood flooring made from domestic species is emerging as the new sine qua non of sustainable building. Wood is renewable, natural and biodegradable. Here on the continent that gave the world the term “tree hugger.” So, perhaps some consumers are misled by the false belief that synthetic products save trees and are kinder to the environment. Not so. Because using wood responsibly and achieving carbon neutrality is on our collective conscience, let’s examine the facts.

Fact: Not all wood products are created equal. Domestic wood products have a better report card than imports. Products derived from naturally occurring, sustained domestic forests do not require a large-scale irrigation infrastructure to be set up and thus conserve water. They also get points for not requiring other energy-hungry processes associated with timber cultivation.

Fact: Almost all North American forests are now managed through strict preservation and replenishment programs. The National Wood Flooring Association ( NWFA) has already received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that the entire Eastern portion of the country’s forests is sustainable. For each tree harvested, 1.6 trees are planted. As well, in 2007, the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers’ Association (AHMA) and U.S. Forest Service together confirmed that the Appalachian forests are in even better shape with a rate of 2.2 trees planted per harvested tree. Also, over the entire eastern United States, only 1.71% of the standing hardwood volume is being removed each year.

Fact: Domestic timber products are increasingly the choice for those seeking socially responsible timber. Industry workers in North America are more likely to labor under more acceptable working conditions for a fair wage. Stories about the harsh working conditions abroad in timber-exporting countries are common.

Fact: The economic impact of jobs being moved overseas has been much in the news over the past few years. Expenditures that American forestry and manufacturing workers make with their earnings help drive the local economies.

Fact: Products made from timber that has been harvested within North America do not have to be shipped great distances. Use of domestic wood reduces the squandering of natural resources such as gas as well as freight costs.

Fact: Using hardwood flooring in building construction can contribute to LEED points. There are also potential cost benefits in the form of tax credits for consumers who choose green products in their home construction.

Getting these facts straight can help you make the case for selling domestic wood flooring. It is a feel-good story for eco-minded and budget-conscious consumers alike.