Local Wood: An Architects’ & Builders’ Primer Local Wood Works Maine Wood and Sustainability Conference Portland, May 9, 2018 Local Wood: An Architects’ & Builders’ Primer Lloyd C. Irland The Irland Group 174 Lord Rd Wayne, ME 04284 lcirland@gmail.com Seven Islands Land, Rangeley Maine 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer Contents Supply Chains & networks Sourcing Guides & Certifications My Suggestions 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

I. Supply Chains --Processes Buy Stumpage Cut, skid, and sort wood on landing Haul wood to mill (s) Manufacture lumber (or primary product) Wholesaler stores lumber fills orders, delivers Re-manufacturer buys from wholesaler Retailer buys from wholesaler & maintains stock May do some value added, e.g pattern stock Retailer assembles “lumber package” and delivers 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer Most Supply Chains are multistep – and fluid Maple strip flooring, Home Depot Irland, Journal of Industrial Ecology, 11(1) 2007. 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

Implications of Multilevel Supply Networks Local Retailer usually does not know where the wood came from! To buy local, Often Must Buy Direct/ Custom From local shops familiar with supply They sell in small volumes Expect more homework and hand-holding Client Builder Supplier Certified owners don’t sell products; most certified sawmills sell in bulk by truckload or railcar 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

Examples: Homeowner Preferences Change Maine pine lost markets as wood clapboard disappeared Natural pine interior doors/trim/wall paneling also Shift to lighter colored woods and hardwood floors Revival of niche market for log home and timber framing – good for small mills and for hemlock and pine Plastic trimboard more practical and safer than replacing wood fascia Is “Plastic Lumber” decking “Greener” than treated So. Pine? Don’t know. 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer II. Sourcing Guides Land Management Certifications Multiple certifiers 8 MM A or so in Maine, some dual certified Chain of Custody Controlled Sources Certificate of Local origin (why does this NOT exist???) Claims by Suppliers 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer III. My Suggestions Nobody needs Tropical Timber Nobody needs hardwoods from Away For structural framing or decking, often need softwoods from Away I’s, panels, joists, composite beams, glulams will come from away 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer More suggestions…. Use wood in the round (Nature’s way is strongest) Use structural wood green where possible Esp. outdoor structures and outbuildings Timber frame, or decorative “timbers” where suited to design Promote natural colors/finishes – Use natural finish pine (not painted yellow poplar) Pickled oak? Blackened Maple? What???? Keep asking suppliers for Green – enough inquiries and they will respond 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

Thanks for your time and attention Comments and Questions? 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer Exterior walls -- total consumption fossil fuels MJ/square foot warm climate home Building Element Lumber Framed Wall Concrete Wall Structural components 6 76 Insulation 8 Cladding 22 Total 37 92 Bowyer, Dovetail PPT, n.d. 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer Life Cycle Energy/CO2 Construction Total Energy Used CO2 emissions Wood 3.8 73 Steel 7.4 105 Concrete 5.5 132 Bowyer, Dovetail based on Athena, 1997. 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer

local wood works architects primer Some examples: Clockwise from upper L “Plastic” decking (Trex) Composite drawer side Pt Orford Cedar decking Plastic trim board Pine v-match Hemlock VG flooring Glulam 5/19/2019 local wood works architects primer