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Dimensional Lumber

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Safari Thatch and Bamboo

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Austin, TX 78709
(512) 448-2000
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Dimensional Lumber Contents:

CSI NUMBERS
DEFINITION
CONSIDERATIONS
COMMERCIAL STATUS
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
GUIDELINES
RESOURCES

CSI Numbers:

DEFINITION:

 Dimensional lumber refers to the wood used in constructing the wall, floor and roof framing of a house.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Most U.S. homes are constructed with wood framing. Although wood is a renewable resource, the amount of wood required for construction purposes is taxing the regenerative capabilities of this resource, as well as depleting a critical component in ecological balance. Trees affect water quality, rainfall, and air quality, both in the immediate region and on a global scale.

Although the status of the wood resource is hotly debated, it is clear that expanding demand simply due to population growth has or will have an impact on its long term viability. The reduction of primary forest cover has spurred further debate on the management of the forests as balanced ecosystems. Some new management approaches are based upon holistic sustainable principles. The principles of sustainability which underpins the Green Builder Program favors forest management practices that retain natural forest ecosystems.

Some of the options associated with this approach are difficult to implement. There are very few "certified" sustainably managed wood sources and certifying groups are still in the process of determining universal guidelines for certification. The active certifying organizations, listed at the end of this section, have developed strong ecologically based criteria. Wood certified by the groups mentioned in this section meets the criteria of the Green Builder Program.

Wood from old growth forests is not identified in final products, making the option of avoiding it very difficult. Most of the old growth trees are in Redwood and Douglas Fir regions; however, wood of these species exists that is not from old growth areas.

Southern wood species such as Yellow Pine are harvested in Texas. Using a regional species can provide an economic benefit to the state and to our area. The growth/removal rate for Yellow Pine looks positive for the future; although increased demand could cause problems. The increased use of engineered wood from all species reduces waste and is beneficial. Additionally, using smaller dimensional wood (less than 2x10) allows smaller trees to be used which can be helpful in tree farming rotations (common to Yellow Pine).





Commercial
Status		 Implementation
Issues
technology suppliers cost financing public regulatory
Southern Softwood green green green green green green
Large Dimension green green green green green green
Old Growth black black green green green green
Certified red red red green green green
Legend
green Satisfactory
yellow Satisfactory in most conditions
red Satisfactory in Limited Conditions
black Unsatisfactory or Difficult

COMMERCIAL STATUS

TECHNOLOGY:

The ability to identify old growth wood in lumber is not standardized. Certified wood is just beginning to be available on a national basis. The use of southern softwoods and smaller dimensional wood is standard.

SUPPLIERS:

Suppliers of Yellow Pine wood species and smaller dimensioned lumber are common. Suppliers of certified wood are rare on a national basis and not available locally.

COST:

Yellow Pine is competitively priced. Certified wood must be special ordered and shipped from limited out of state sources. Unless ordered in large volume, the costs will be higher than standard lumber.

IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

FINANCING:

Available, as long as code requirements are met.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:

Wood resource issues are not well known by the general public. Certified wood will appeal to a small number of people.

REGULATORY:

Structural lumber must be graded and applied according to design values established by ASTM standards.

GUIDELINES

 The framing materials discussed in this section have standard installation and construction requirements.

"Certified" wood will become more available over time. Certification organizations should indicate an association with the Forest Stewardship Council (an international coalition promoting a common set of principles and guidelines used to evaluate certifying organizations).

RESOURCES

PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE

COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

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This document was adapted to HTML by Bill Christensen, sysop and environmental editor of Texas InfiNet, an online community for progressive information.

Sustainable Building Sourcebook web version copyright Sustainable Sources 1994-1999.