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Eco-Wise110 W. ElizabethAustin, TX 78704 (512) 326-4474 (512) 326-4496 (Fax)
Non-toxic. |
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Engineered materials refer to the more efficient (less wasteful) process of using wood or other cellulose fibers bonded together to make a material shape. Reconstituted materials are more dense and offer increased longevity. Some products have wood fibers mixed with cement to form extremely durable exterior (fiber-cement) materials.
Fingerjointed material consists of using shorter pieces of wood glued together to make a longer piece. This technology makes use of wood that could previously be considered waste.
Recycled-content materials include substances that are salvaged from the waste stream such as sawdust and paper.
Tropical hardwood refers to wood harvested from the tropical forests that are being harvested in a destructive manner.
Recycled trim refers to the reuse of trim salvaged from building demolition.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Reconstituted and recycled-content (engineered) siding materials offer superior longevity over wood siding. The increased density of the materials resists cracking and other deterioration. Fiber-cement materials, for example, offer very long warranties and have zero flamespread.
Steel and aluminum siding materials are predominantly fabricated from recycled material. Although the embodied energy is high when the materials are originally made, they require much less energy in a recycled form. They can also be recycled again after use in a building.
The use of domestic hardwoods for moldings and trim is noted since domestic hardwood trees are maturing at a faster rate than they are being removed (positive growth-removal rate).
Using recycled trim reuses trim in its same form, achieving the most resourceful recycling. Since trim is not structural, it is acceptable to use it in new construction. It will require going to different sources for material such as salvage businesses, and finding a large enough quantity of the same style can be challenging.
A very small percentage of tropical wood is sustainably managed and most of that is being used in furniture. The Resources section will note tropical species that are being sustainably managed.
There is not a problem with weak points in quality fingerjointed materials. For aesthetic reasons, fingerjointed material would go best where it will be painted.
Commercial Status |
Implementation Issues |
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Siding | |||||||
Trim | |||||||
No Tropical Hardwood | |||||||
Fingerjointed Trim | |||||||
Domestic Hardwood | |||||||
Recycled Trim | |||||||
Reconstituted Trim |
Legend | |
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Satisfactory |
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Satisfactory in most conditions |
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Satisfactory in Limited Conditions |
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Unsatisfactory or Difficult |
Fiber-cement materials need an alkali resistant paint when painted. Some fiber-cement materials can be used unpainted if handled carefully to avoid scratching.
Fiber-cement materials are not brittle like earlier asbestos products.
Comments on products are included in the Resources Section.
RESOURCES
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE
Center for Resourceful Building Technology
P. O. Box 3413
Missoula, MT 59806
(406) 549-7678
Habitat for Humanity Thrift Center
310 Comal
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 478-2165
Recycled materials
Abitibi-Price Corporation
P. O. Box 98, Hwy 268
Roaring River, NC 28669
(800) 521-4250
Panel, lap, and shake siding, molded hardboard, 1.5-1.9 lbs./sq. ft., flame spread under 200 (Class III), 25 year substrate warranty.
Eternit
Excelsior Industrial Park, P. O. Box 679
Blandon, PA 19510-0679
(215) 926-0100
Fiber-cement products for wall panels, fascias; soffits, 0 flame spread, impact resistant.
FibreCem Corporation
11000-1 S. Commerce Blvd.. Box 411368
Charlotte, NC 28241
(800) 447-2882
Ann Faust sales rep., Houston
(713)465-4499
Fiber-cement lapped wall siding, fascia, soffit, gable materials; non-combustible, 50 year warranty.
Georgia Pacific
133 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(800) 447-2882
PrimeTrim wood fiber composite interior and exterior trim.
Masonite Corporation
1 South Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 255-0785
Hardboard siding
James Hardie Building Products
26300 La Alameda Suite 400
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(800) 426-4051
www.jameshardie.com
Fiber-cement Hardiplank Lap siding and Hardipanel vertical siding, Hardisoffit soffit, Class A rating.
JEH Company
13910 FM Road 620
Austin, TX 78729
(512) 219-6226
Oregon Strand Board Co.
34363 Lake Creek Dr.
Brownsville, OR 97327
(800) 533-3374
COMPLY and Versatile V-Groove lap siding, OSB laminated material eliminates need for sheathing, can be installed with 2-0 framing spacing.
Temple-Inland Forest Products
P. O. Drawer N
Diboll, TX 75941
(800) 231-6060
Trim Craft bonded wood chip trim material, non-structural, 10 year warranty.
Wolverine Technologies
17199 Laurel Park dr.
Livonia, MI 48152-2679
(800) 521-9020
Weathestone solid vinyl siding uses reprocessed materials, 100% recyclable according to manufacturer, limited 50 year warranty.
Lynn-Nusantara Marketing Co. Inc.
Agents for the State Forestry Corp. in Java Indonesia
21 East 28th Ave., Ste. D
Eugene, OR 97405
(503) 686-9886
Sustainably managed tropical wood
Plan Piloto Forestal, Quintana Roo
Henning Flashsenberg
Infiernillo 157, Esqu. Efrain Aguilar
Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
011 (52) 983-24424
Sustainably managed tropical wood
Proyecto Desarrollo Bosque Latifoliado
P. O. Box 427
La Ceiba, Honduras
011 (504) 43-1032v
Sustainably managed tropical wood
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
1916 Race St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Standards for cement based materials
American Architectural Manufacturers Association
2700 River Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Standards for aluminum
International Hardwood Products Association
P. O. Box 1308
Alexandria, VA 22313
(703) 836-6696
Info on sustainably managed tropical forests
Publications:
"First Cut: A Primer on Tropical Wood Use and Conservation"
Rainforest Alliance
270 Lafayette St., Ste. 512
New York, NY 10012
The Wood Users Guide
by Pamela Wellner & Eugene Dickey
Rainforest Action Network
300 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133
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Sustainable Building Sourcebook web version copyright Sustainable Sources 1994-1999.