Seven reasons to use wood in your home

As more and more people adopt more environmentally friendly lifestyles and actively look for new ways to reduce their carbon footprint, creating a green home environment has become increasingly important. Wood is one of the most popular materials this year, making it a top choice for homeowners.

Choosing wood still has a significant environmental impact unless it's sourced from sustainably managed forests (always check for FSC certification when purchasing wood). Choosing wooden doors, wood floors, and furniture is an environmentally friendly choice. From its excellent thermal insulation properties to its positive psychological impact, using wood in your home has many benefits.

△ Nordic style of hemlock furniture

With help from experts from A Wood Idea, the Forestry Commission and the British Woodworkers' Federation, we've rounded up the best reasons to love wood.

■ Wood is a renewable material

Wood is a natural and renewable material, meaning it has a lower environmental impact than other materials. According to the British Woodworking Federation, over 90% of the wood used in the UK comes from European forests, which are growing at a rate of 661,000 hectares per year. This suggests it is a sustainable resource that won't be depleted anytime soon.

■ Wood can be used for a long time

Many factors influence the lifespan of wood products, including the type of wood, where the product is used (indoors or outdoors), and how it's processed. Generally speaking, wood is lightweight yet strong and durable. As Ian Smith, general manager of A Wood Idea, explains, "If cared for properly, hardwood doors and flooring can last longer than a human lifespan, sometimes even over 100 years. The longer wood lasts, the less energy is used to produce new products, which in turn is better for the environment."

△ Baishui Wooden Structure Kindergarten

■ Wood can be recycled and reused

Wood is durable and ideal for recycling. "Using reclaimed wood keeps a low carbon footprint, meaning less newly processed wood is used, reducing import costs while preserving our natural wood resources for future use," says Ruth Adams, co-founder of the furniture recycling company Rust Collections. "Reclaiming and reusing wood means less material is sent to landfill or incinerated, reducing environmental pollution. Another benefit is that reclaimed wood furniture is full of character and raw, rustic charm, a quality that only 'aged' wood can possess."

■ Wood can absorb carbon dioxide

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing wood's carbon footprint. As a "carbon sink," once wood absorbs carbon dioxide, it's stored there, keeping it out of the atmosphere. Iain McIlwee, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation, stated that wood is the only truly sustainable building material, saving approximately one ton of carbon dioxide emissions for every cubic meter of wood used in construction. Wood truly plays a significant role in carbon storage. For example, research by the Wood Window Alliance shows that choosing wooden windows over PVCu can save 160 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per window.

△ 1 cubic meter of wood can store nearly 1 ton of carbon dioxide

■ Wood has strong thermal insulation performance

Iain Smith of A Wood Idea says: “Wood’s cellular structure allows it to naturally retain heat more efficiently than other materials – in fact, wood is seven times more effective than tiles.” Air cells within the wood absorb heat, creating a naturally warm home that requires less energy to heat, which is better for the environment.

△ Indoor environment of wooden structure buildings

■ Waste generated from the manufacture of wood products is 100% biodegradable

When manufacturing wood products, whether flooring, doors, or windows, virtually no waste is produced. Any remaining debris can be burned for energy or used as sawdust during the manufacturing process. The Forestry Commission states: "There is no waste in wood production. Offcuts and by-products from wood processing industries, such as furniture making, are used to make particleboard and generate renewable heat and energy." The waste generated by production is 100% biodegradable, meaning it will eventually break down and return to the earth, which is better for the environment.

△ Canada's vast forests

■ Wood has a positive impact on physical and mental health

Research shows that reducing the amount of artificial materials and introducing natural alternatives, such as wood, can reduce stress and anxiety levels in the home. "Wood has a psychological effect on people, and nature has a similar stress-relieving effect," says Marjut Wallenius, a psychology doctor at the University of Tampere. She adds that research to date suggests wood has a calming effect: "This is based on the positive emotional experiences that wood evokes, such as feelings of warmth, earthiness, and relaxation associated with being close to nature."

To sum up, wood has a unique texture and warm material that can meet the public's aesthetic and health needs. Its good processability enables it to be used in more fields, and it makes outstanding contributions to environmental protection and climate mitigation. Such wood really makes people love it.