Wednesday, November 5, 2003

Three steps to an environmentally responsible home

More and more homeowners are interested in having their homes built in an ecologically conscious manner. But what does that mean? What makes one house more environmentally sound than another?

Whether you are buying a new home or upgrading your current residence, here are three simple ways to go green.

Look for products that don’t waste energy. This isn’t just smarter for the environment — it’s smarter for your pocketbook. The insulators that play a large factor in our homes’ energy efficiencies are often overlooked. But the insulation used can significantly decrease your energy intake. Homeowners can upgrade insulation in their existing home to fill gaps and voids that allow warm air to escape in colder months.

Companies like Dow offer a huge range of insulating products for new construction or remodels. Not only do foam and other expandable insulating products help preserve the energy you’re using in your home, but they can also offer noise reduction solutions between rooms.

Look for products that don’t waste resources. Energy conservation is only one piece of the puzzle. To truly demonstrate concern for the environment requires utilizing materials that don’t cause an unnecessary drain of natural resources. Some of the most dramatic changes in the use of resources have come in the wood products arena. Manufacturers have developed highly sophisticated technology to minimize waste and improve product performance at the same time.

In hardwood flooring, Weyerhaeuser has taken a different approach to being efficient with natural resources. The company recently introduced a “new” hardwood called Lyptus.

According to Ian Firth from Weyerhaeuser Building Materials, “We spent five years conducting research and extensive testing to bring something new to the high-grade wood flooring industry that we can honestly say is 100 percent sustainable for the environment.”

When asked about the specific environmental benefits of Lyptus, Firth explained, “We selected a Eucalyptus hybrid as the primary species for Lyptus, but we relocated it to South America. In that climate, the trees we planted on plantations will grow to harvest size in approximately 15 years — two to three times faster than comparable premium hardwood species grown in colder climates. This enables us to produce more flooring material faster, while using less of the earth’s resources. The plantations are also interspersed with indigenous species to help maintain the natural ecosystem.”

Lyptus is being hailed as the newest premium hardwood. Comparable to cherry and mahogany, Lyptus is an extremely versatile hardwood product perfect for flooring, cabinetry, millwork or furniture. High-density characteristics enable Lyptus to take on virtually any stain or finish a homeowner desires. Making it good for the environment and easy on the eye.

Look for products that incorporate recycled materials. It’s one thing to not waste raw materials; it’s another to actually turn waste into raw materials. Post industrial and post consumer waste is quickly becoming a viable source for creating innovative new building materials. When discarded items are given a second life instead of being tossed in the dumpster, environmental burdens can be reduced significantly.

Often it is wood that is reborn as a building product, specifically in exterior siding and trim products. When wood is recycled, these new siding products actually look like genuine wood, but they require much less maintenance and can carry up to a 30-year warranty.

“We use 50 percent post industrial and consumer recycled and recovered wood fibers in our TruWood siding and ChoiceTrim products,” said Less Richardson, vice president of The Collins Companies. “This allows us to maximize the utilization of natural resources while still offering products with the aesthetic appeal of solid wood — but with better product performance and less waste.”

Exterior surfaces such as decks are the perfect place to incorporate other recycled elements. Here again, Weyerhaeuser is at the cutting edge of the industry, introducing decking materials such as ChoiceDek. A composite made of 80 percent recycled plastic and wood fiber, ChoiceDek is virtually maintenance free and never splinters. Decorative railing systems, longer life spans, and an option for use in wet climates (such as dock, marina and boardwalk projects) make composite decking a great choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.

As long as demand for environmentally responsible products continues to grow, manufacturers will continue to develop innovative materials that protect the planet and perform better than their predecessors. New products allow homeowners to select products that help preserve natural resources — all without compromising on quality or style.

For more information on any of these products, contact Weyerhaeuser online at www.weyerhaeuser.com/wbm or call (877) 235-6873.

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