The Log Home Industry Expert

Log Homes and Timber Frame Homes may have the lowest carbon footprint of any other type of construction.  A carbon footprint is the measurement of carbon dioxide released as a result of using a particular product or other human activity.  Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere and major contributor to global warming. 

A report prepared by the Edinburgh Center for Carbon Management1  (ECCM) compared the carbon dioxide footprints of three structures and the benefits when more timber was introduced into the construction.  The results were astounding.  ECCM estimated that there could be up to an 88% reduction of greenhouse gases by using log or timber structural elements wherever possible rather than other conventional building materials.  The reduction of greenhouse gases was achieved by replacing materials high energy, high CO2 production values, such as steel and concrete, with solid wood.  The report states that the production of steel and concrete materials accounts for 10% of the total global emissions of greenhouse gases.  These materials have a high CO2 output created during the extraction of raw materials, refining, processing and manufacturing of the finished product.  As reported in a study published by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, the energy consumed to process a tree into a finished sawn timber is about one-tenth of steel production.2

In another report prepared by The Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM)3  compared four different structure using different wall systems – two woods, one concrete and one steel.  The report found that the steel wall system generated 33% more greenhouses gases than wood and the concrete wall generated 80% more greenhouse gases than wood.  The study also reported that the wood structures out-performed the steel and concrete houses in energy use and the impact on air and water quality. 

Wood walls are typically framed or solid.  Conventionally framed walls use a combination a several materials including processed wood products such as plywood or other laminated wood products, fiberglass insulation, exterior siding, interior sheetrock and some type of wall covering.  Solid wood walls using logs or timbers have basically one product – the log or timber.  The energy consumed and the CO2 produced in the production of logs and timbers is a fraction compared to the production of all the various materials in a conventionally framed wall. 

Consumers are much more aware the environmental impact of using different materials and are being increasing sensitive to the hazards of exposure to chemically processed materials.  Logs and timbers are 100% natural.  As a natural product, they do not emit VOCs or other pollutants into the outdoor or indoor space.  Trees are produced from soil, water and air combined with the energy from the sun, in a miraculous process of photosynthesis.  Ecologically and environmentally, solid wood is the only building product that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient and extremely beautiful.

Sustained and plantation forest growth actually reduces greenhouse gases by consuming CO2 out of the atmosphere while the trees are growing.  Political pressure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, such as the Kyoto Protocol, is sure to continue and it will become increasingly important to find solution.  The use of solid wood construction such as with a log home or timber home can make a positive contribution. 

[1] Forestry Commission Scotland Greenhouse Gas Emissions Comparison – Carbon benefits of Timber in Construction.  Aug 2006. 

[2] Wood – another low carbon footprint solution.  Feb-Mar 2006, ECOS 13. 

[3] The environmental performance of renewable building materials in the context of residential construction

Perez-Garcia, John, Bruce Lippke, David Briggs, James B. Wilson, James Boyer, and Jaime Meil. - www.corrim.org/

 

There is a great deal of interest in “green building”. But, what exactly is green building and how do you know if your builder is really complying with green building standards.

Green building can be defined in a number of ways. The goal of most people is to build their home with the least impact on the environment and promote indoor health and energy efficiency. This can be accomplished in many ways such as the use of natural materials that are free of toxins and low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds); using high energy efficiency products such as SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) and Low E windows; utilizing energy efficient appliances and HVAC systems and installing effacement sprinkler and water systems.

Most new construction is utilizing some form of green building. Builders and developers are recognizing that there is real value to the consumer in building green. But, how do you know if your home is really being constructed using the latest green building techniques.

The best way to insure that you are getting the real thing is to use a third party inspector or certifier under a recognized program. ENERGY STAR is a program that has been around for some time and takes into consideration the energy efficiency of the home. Another third party verified program is the LEED program. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed and is administered through the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the most comprehensive and well recognized third party verified green building program available and has been used in commercial construction for a several years. The USGBC has recently started LEED for Homes which is a pilot program established for residential structures.

The National Association for Home Builders (NAHB) has a green building program that is currently a self regulated checklist not requiring third party verification. However, the NAHB is now developing a certified program that is expected to be published later this year.

Mountain Architects and PrecisionCraft are members of the USGBC and NAHB. We have been involved in the LEED for Homes pilot program, Energy Star and the NAHB green building initiatives. If you are interested in green building or getting more information on building a green log home, contact PrecisionCraft for further information.

Building and living “Green” is good for your health, conserves energy and protects the environment. Log homes are the original green building solution made directly from the earth’s natural resource. This abundant, beautiful and renewable natural resource is 100% green.

Building green is a hot topic among building professionals and consumers – for good reason. The exposure to toxic chemicals in our every day lives is resulting in significant increases in asthma and respiratory illnesses, skin problems, migraine headaches and any number of health related problems.

Since we spend much of our time indoors, it is critical that our indoor environment is healthy and safe. Many building products today are made of man-made chemicals and emit high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Health experts are becoming increasingly aware and alarmed that these man-made chemicals are showing up in our blood and lungs.

Logs are 100% natural and don’t emit VOCs or other pollutants. Soil, water and air combined with the energy from the sun, in a miraculous process of photosynthesis, are everything needed to make a tree grow. From an ecological point of view, solid wood is the only building product that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient and extremely beautiful. Logs and other solid wood, as basic building components, generate the least amount of air and water pollution, emission of greenhouse gases and solid waste. For example, steel and concrete require 2.4 times and 1.7 times more energy than wood to produce and 1.42 times and 1.67 times more airborne emissions with potential toxic or negative health effects. (The Canadian Wood Council – The Anhena Project).

Advances in forestry practices have steadily increased the supply and growth of plantation and private forests. In North America, the growth of new forests has outpaced the demand and can remain at a sustainable rate. In the long run, sustainable building products that are ecologically friendly are the only viable answer to a cleaner environment.

With energy costs on the rise and no end is sight, it makes good economic sense to design and build with conservation in mind. There is a great deal of documented evidence supporting the energy efficiency related to the construction of log homes. Studies conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other testing organizations have compared log homes to other types of construction such as conventionally framed and masonry. Test results prove the energy efficiency gained through the thermal mass of solid wood walls. Log walls better utilize the available energy in both summer cooling and winter heating. (The Log Home Council, Documented Energy-Efficiency and Thermal Mass Benefits of Log Construction).

Most people building log homes plan to own and live in them for an extended period of time. Their log home may be a family retreat or a retirement home that they intend to own for the rest of their lives. The turnover rate of log homes is much lower than the average conventionally built house. With such a long term outlook, the decision to build and live in an energy efficient log home makes good sense for the health of the environment, you and your family.

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