From Forest to Floor: Tracing the Journey of Responsibly Sourced Hardwood
Hardwood floors offer timeless beauty and elegance that can enhance the overall look and feel of your home. It’s a reason many homeowners demand hardwood when they’re remodeling their homes.
Of course, it’s not the only reason. Some people like the durability and longevity hardwood offers. When properly maintained, hardwood floors can last for decades, even generations.
Or maybe you’re remodeling with home value in mind. You know this isn’t your forever home, and hardwood can increase the resale value of a property. Homes sell faster and at higher prices when hardwood flooring is installed.
All are good reasons to consider hardwood. But have you ever stopped to think about where wood comes from?
Where Hardwood Comes From
Hardwood floors are not merely products of convenience and aesthetics; they have a profound origin deeply rooted in our forests. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Forest Resources Assessment 2020, forests cover around 31% of the global land area, playing a critical role in sustaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and providing resources for human well-being.
More than half of the world’s forests are in five countries: the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the US, and China. Within these forests, hardwood trees such as oak, maple, cherry, and walnut serve as the primary sources of hardwood for flooring and various other applications. These trees undergo a meticulous journey from forest to floor, embodying a commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
Forests are carefully managed and harvested to ensure the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. Sustainable forestry practices, as outlined by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), prioritize principles such as selective logging, reforestation, and protection of indigenous communities’ rights.
In addition to environmental considerations, social and economic factors also play a significant role in the sourcing of hardwood. Many hardwood forests are located in rural areas, providing livelihoods for local communities through employment opportunities in forestry, logging, and processing industries.
The journey of responsibly sourced hardwood extends beyond national borders, with trade networks connecting forests to consumers worldwide. International agreements and initiatives, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), regulate the trade of certain hardwood species to prevent illegal logging and promote conservation efforts.
Understanding Tree as a Crop
If you grow a garden, you’ve watched zucchini and carrots move from seed to table. In a few weeks, they poke their heads up from the ground, mature, then are harvested when ready.
A well-managed forest grows in a similar manner, though in a much longer time period. Pine trees may mature in only five years, reaching their full height in thirty. Slow-growing trees like oak may take up to 100 years to reach maturity. Once the tree is harvested, a new sapling is replanted to begin the process all over again.
How to Choose the Right Tree for Hardwood Flooring
Have you started looking at hardwood for your floors? Maybe you focused on color or plank size. While that’s important, you might choose to start with species selection. What type of wood you select is a critical aspect of choosing hardwood flooring, as it directly impacts the appearance, durability, and overall performance of the floor.
Color and Grain Pattern. Different hardwood species offer a wide range of colors and grain patterns, allowing homeowners to achieve various aesthetic effects. For example, oak typically features a prominent grain pattern and comes in shades ranging from light to dark brown, while maple tends to have a more subtle grain with lighter tones. The species you choose can significantly influence the look and feel of your space, whether you prefer a rustic, traditional, or modern aesthetic.
Durability and Hardness. Hardwood species vary in hardness, which affects their resistance to dents, scratches, and wear over time. Species with higher Janka hardness ratings, such as Brazilian cherry or hickory, are better suited for high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms, where durability is paramount. Conversely, softer species like pine or birch may work well for low-traffic areas like bedrooms or studies.
Cost and Availability. The availability and cost of hardwood species can vary depending on factors such as regional location, demand, and supply chain logistics. Exotic or rare hardwood species may be more expensive and harder to source than domestic species like oak or maple. Consider your budget and the availability of different species in your area when making your selection.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact. Opting for sustainably sourced hardwood species is essential for minimizing environmental impact and supporting responsible forestry practices. Look for hardwood flooring certified by reputable organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), which ensure that the wood is harvested using environmentally responsible methods that protect forest ecosystems and biodiversity.
Maintenance and Longevity. Some hardwood species require more maintenance to preserve their appearance and longevity. For example, softer woods may be more prone to scratches and dents and may require regular refinishing to maintain their beauty. Harder species, on the other hand, are more resistant to wear and may require less maintenance over time.
Bringing Hardwood Into Your Home
Unlike other flooring products, hardwood needs to acclimate inside your home before it’s installed. This means it needs to adjust to the indoor environment’s temperature and humidity levels before installation. This is for a variety of reasons:
Prevention of Expansion or Contraction. Hardwood is a natural material that expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature and humidity. If installed without acclimation, hardwood flooring may expand or contract after installation, leading to gaps between boards, buckling, or warping. Acclimating the wood to the indoor environment helps minimize these issues by allowing it to reach equilibrium moisture content with the surrounding air.
Stability. Acclimation helps ensure the long-term stability and performance of hardwood flooring. By allowing the wood to adjust gradually to the indoor conditions, you reduce the risk of structural problems such as cupping or crowning, which can occur if the wood absorbs or loses moisture too quickly.
Minimization of Installation Problems. Acclimating hardwood flooring before installation minimizes the likelihood of installation problems such as gaps, buckling, or unevenness. Proper acclimation allows installers to work with wood that has already reached its equilibrium moisture content, making it easier to achieve a smooth and uniform installation.
Environmental Considerations. Indoor environments can vary significantly in temperature and humidity levels, especially in regions with extreme seasonal changes. Acclimating hardwood flooring allows it to adapt to these environmental conditions, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring that it maintains its appearance and structural integrity over time.
From Forest to Floor – Enjoying Your New Floors
You’ve installed new hardwood flooring for the beauty. You’re excited about its durability, and how long it’ll last inside your home.
Now that you understand how it’s sourced, you might have a deeper appreciation of how it’s made. Hardwood is designed to last for years, even generations. By making the right choice in hardwood, you can have durable floors through every phase of life. Those same floors you install today as you’re starting a family may easily be around for your grandkids to play on.
Hardwood is one of the best choices for your home. If you have any questions, we’re here to help.