|
|
Wood is a natural material
displaying an almost infinite variety of color and pattern. Wood has
been used for thousands of years as a contruction material, a
material for household objects, a source of fuel for heat, and as a
medium for creating works of art. Wood is a renewable resource. |
|
|
|
|
|
Wood is typically classified as
either a hardwood or a softwood, although many softwoods are harder
than some hardwoods. The terms softwood and hardwood are used to
differentiate between wood from conifers (softwoods) and wood from
broad leaved trees (hardwoods). So, pine, redwood, cedar, and fir are
all softwoods while oak, maple, ash, birch, cherry, walnut, and balsa
are hardwoods. Yes even balsa is a hardwood, because it comes from a
broad leaf tree that grows in South America. |
|
|
|
|
The appearance and mechanical
properties of wood are influenced by many factors. Primarily, the
species of tree determines the properties, but the climate in which
the tree grows, the health of the tree, and the handling of the wood
after being cut all help determine the strength and appearance of the wood. |
|
|
|
|
|
One critical characteristic about
wood is that it swells and shrinks with changes in humidity. The
change in size of a piece of wood is different in all three
directions (across the grain, through the grain , and along the
grain). Because of the shrinking and swelling, a piece of furniture
must be designed to accomodate changes in size of its pieces or
cracks will develop and the piece will break. A general rule is that
with solid wood, you do not want large sections attached rigidly with
their grain running in different directions. Use of laminates and
plywoods helps eliminate the problems of wood movement due to
humidity changes. An important safeguard for wood furniture is to try
to minimize humidity swings in your home by adding moisture during
dry periods (usually in the winter when running the heater, or in the
summer in the desert) and by air conditioning in warm humid weather. |
|
|
|
|
You may be familiar with the
controversy regarding forest products and the ecological impact of
harvesting trees. Much of the original old growth in our forests
around the world has been cut for use in housing, manufacturing, or
fuel, or has been cleared to make room for development or agriculture.
Clearing of old growth forests, particularly in the rainforests, not
only destroys a beautiful environment, but unalterably impacts a
valuable and irreplaceable ecosystem.
Many organizations are working to
find ways of preserving our valuable forests while still supplying
the demand for wood. Several links to organizations active in the
fight to preserve our forests are listed below. Ahmazing supports the
efforts of these organizations by using certified products whenever
they are available. As a consumer, you can have an impact by
insisting that the wood and paper products you buy are either
recycled, reclaimed, or from sources that practice sustainable
resource management. As in most things, money is what speaks loudest.
If you refuse to buy products derived from ecologically unsound
processes, economic forces will pressure businesses into practices
which protect the environment.
Educate yourself and be active in
your consumerism. Your purchases make a difference. |
|
|
|
|
|
Links for Detailed Information
About Wood: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|