Global Warming
Healthy growing forests remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and sequester it in trees. The production
of building materials such as steel and concrete use much more energy and release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Renewability
Wood is the only building material derived
from a renewable resource. It is considered an agricultural crop that is harvested and replanted in a continually regenerating
cycle while nonrenewable resources such as iron ore are mined on a permanently depleting basis.
Saving Energy
Thermal Performance
The heating and cooling of homes accounts for 50% of
all utility costs (gas, oil, hydro-electric) and about 15% of the energy used in North America. With rising energy costs and
rolling blackouts across the country, energy efficiency is a critical factor in buying or building a new home. The energy
demand difference between a poorly constructed home and one that's well constructed and insulated can amount to several
thousand dollars a year.
Energy Efficiency and Building Codes
Wood construction can meet any energy code in any climate in the world. In extreme climates like Alaska and
the Canadian Arctic, the adoption of double wood frame wall systems keeps homeowners warm when temperatures drop to -40ºF.
New energy code requirements in several European countries have even prompted a switch from traditional masonry construction
to wood.
The movement of cold into a
house through the framing is called thermal bridging. It's a problem because it increases energy consumption and it's
a particular problem with steel. To prevent thermal bridging, steel framing requires extra insulation on the outside sheathing
which can add significantly to building costs.
Wood is energy efficient, not only because it's a good insulator, but because its versatility makes it easy to adjust
the width of a wall to accommodate extra insulation where desired. Oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood wall sheathing,
typically used under a home's exterior finish, offers added insulation as well as rigidity and security.
New Wood Products Offer Additional
Energy Savings
New wood product innovations
further improve energy efficiency and continue to make wood the premier choice for homebuilding.
Radiant Barrier Panels are plywood or OSB panels with a reflective aluminum
foil face bonded to one side. Typically used for roof sheathing in hot climates, radiant barrier panels are installed with
the foil facing the attic. Because the barrier reflects up to 97% of the sun's radiant heat away from the home, attic
temperatures are reduced by as much as 30ºF; which greatly reduces the need for air conditioning.
