Top Guidelines for Builders to Promote Responsible Timber Sourcing
Over the past few years, timber has become a popular building material for both contractors and homeowners. The reason is that wood is an incredible building material because of its energy efficiency, structural strength, and cost-effectiveness compared to other materials. However, the type of timber you buy for your projects as a new contractor matters a great deal. The reason is that your choice could contribute to adverse environmental issues. Therefore, new contractors must source their timber sustainably. This article highlights three guiding principles for responsible timber sourcing.
Treat All Projects the Same
It is a fact that building a timber house is a more significant construction project than erecting a timber gate. However, if you are a serious builder, then you know there is no small project when it comes to responsible sourcing of timber products. Unfortunately, this is where most new builders get it wrong. If you treat your projects differently, then you will likely not question the origin of the timber you use for "small projects." However, it is the last thing you want to do because contemporary clients are well-informed and often question the source of your timber. Therefore, it is crucial to buy lumber sustainably regardless of the scale of the project you are working on.
Preach Sustainability Sourcing Priorities
According to reports, about 5 to 10% of global timber logging is illegal. Therefore, some building supplies stores will have PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified timber in stock and some will not. Take it upon yourself to tell the store manager that you would love it if they stoked PEFC-certified timber. The more customers pass this message, the higher the chances that local building supplies stores will stock sustainably sourced lumber.
Ask Questions about Sourcing
Apart from PEFC certification, other global schemes such as and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) also certify sustainably sourced timber. Therefore, do not be quick to dismiss wood that has another label other than PEFC. The best thing to do is to ask questions regarding the forest or country of logging, the logging company that harvested the timber as well as the certifying body on the label. In most cases, a retailer will have the information on hand. However, if they do not, you can rest assured that the supplier will have the answers to these questions. The more questions you ask about the timber your buy, the higher the chances of sourcing responsibly.
Reach out to a professional who provides building supplies for more information.
