SOLID WOOD CONTERTOPS – KITCHEN COUNTERTOP
09/01/2018
Why is FSC certification important?
26/03/2018
Hardwood: ways of use
Hardwood is a natural, sustainable, and renewable resource that makes it the world's most extensive usable raw material, for both industry and households. Due to the low transport cost, the hardwood products export is nowadays widespread. To eliminate some confusion that may arise concerning wood types, we mention that the trees are divided into two distinct categories - hardwood and softwood, hence two kinds of wood: hardwood and softwood. The classification criterion is the way the trees spread around. Hardwood trees multiply themselves through seeds (found inside a fruit or covered by a protective structure). When about the softwood, the seeds are found in a cone formation like, which, when mature, releases the seeds. With few exceptions, deciduous wood structure is dense and rough while the softwood is lighter and softer. Another feature that distinguishes hardwoods is that they lose leaves during winter while the conifers keep them throughout the year.
Among the deciduous species, we mention oak, walnut, beech, mahogany, ash, cherry, maple, and from the category of softwoods, we suggest fir, spruce, cedar, and pine. The hardwood trees grow slower and for longer, thus explaining why they are more precious and expensive. A peculiarity of hardwood is in its pores, whose design can be appreciated after finishing.
The use of hardwood
Construction, carpentry, finishing, furniture
This material is appreciated for the resistant structure, density and natural finish. As it is tough, denser, and more resilient, deciduous wood is used, especially in the manufacture of high-quality furniture, hardwood flooring, decking, stairs, and durable construction. Almost any type of furniture can be made of wood and combined with various other materials, including glass, marble, or leather. Also, the hardwood timber can be sawn for obtaining different construction elements for home and garden.
Heating
Wood heating is a viable option and a frequent choice among environmentally concerned people. The explanation is the following: wood heating is pollution-neutral, and wood smoke does not contribute to global warming. Fossil fuels release significant carbon emissions into the atmosphere, while wood-burning does not cause a net increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The amount released during burning is equivalent to that absorbed by a tree in its lifetime. More precisely, about half of the wood's carbon content has been absorbed by a tree from the atmosphere in its lifetime. When burned, carbon is released faster, but it is the same amount. In other words, by heating homes based on wood, we contribute to the natural carbon circuit: in the atmosphere, in the forest, and vice-versa. An ecological method of heating houses is the compost bio plant, used in many households and farms worldwide. The primary material for compost is chopped hardwood. An environmental heating solution (thermal power stations based on wood for blocks of flats, individual dwellings), especially in areas where gas is not available, is the use of pellets. Their composition includes wood chips, vegetables.
