THE NATUR Every step counts when working towards a net zero carbon future, which is
With the focus firmly on working towards a net zero carbon future in the construction industry and beyond, it has never been more important to choose wisely and carefully. With pledges such as Architects Declare and the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge gaining awareness, construction companies are following suit with their own pledges – the more of us who commit to making crucial changes, the sooner we will be able to achieve our goal of halting the climate emergency.
After making the pledge, the challenge starts in earnest. Achieving net zero carbon may mean new ways of working; finding alternatives to previously trusted options; justifying the specification process for every part of a project. Every material specified needs to meet crucial criteria – Is it sustainable? Is it reusable? Is it recyclable? How long will it last? How is it produced? How can in contribute to a better cared for environment? What may seem overwhelming at first, can more easily be tackled when broken down into smaller parts, and one such component is flooring.
Universally known for its high environmental credentials, wood is a material that scores highly on all aforementioned criteria. Often touted as ‘the world’s most environmentally- friendly material’, wood is a renewable source that does not produce waste or pollution; it stores CO2
which in itself is
beneficial to combatting climate change. Specifying a solid wood floor for a project can mean one small part of the puzzle is taken care of – it may seem simple but every bit counts.
A floor made in solid hardwood is strong and durable. There are no layers of inferior quality; no glue or harmful chemical
18 | SUSTAINABILITY
substances which can adversely affect the air in a room – nothing but real, natural wood through and through. With a lifespan of 60 years plus, the longevity and lifecycle costs of a good quality solid wood floor are second to none. This means less waste management and ultimately, lower demands on natural resources. In comparison, an engineered wood floor has significantly more embodied energy and uses greater quantities of glue and resin. Furthermore, engineered floorboards are made from multiple pieces of wood, all of which have been cut to size, prepared, dried and assembled into boards. This uses significantly more energy than the manufacturing a solid hardwood floorboard.
Hardwood is a natural, biodegradable and recyclable material and it is non-hazardous when disposed of. Most other flooring types will not last as long, which puts greater pressure on landfill as well as challenges in terms of chemical release during disposal. For example, a solid wood floor has a lifespan four times that of an engineered floor, meaning the total amount of energy used for solid wood floors is further reduced as one solid wood floor is manufactured for every four engineered floors.
Many floor finishes will have to be stripped out and disposed of after 10 years or less. At roughly the same interval, a solid hardwood floor can be sanded and sealed to give it a new lease of life. A structural floor, usually with a thickness of 20mm+, can be sanded between eight and 10 times which means a lifespan of 60 years is comfortably exceeded.
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