Environmentally Green Woodworking
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Opportunities to build environmentally-friendly furniture and woodwork are readily available to craftsmen seeking them. Builders of fine custom cabinetry at our New York Custom Furniture facility have found several ways to 'build green.' Of course good quality furniture and cabinetry can last for generations if built well with good quality hardwoods. Now, with modern manufacturing technologies and advances in material production, even the art of quality woodwork can be much more environmentally friendly.
Fortunately, the drive for more environmental friendly carpentry practices really isn't that challenging. While lumber is a renewable resource, most carpenters respect forestry and would certainly oppose wood harvesting practices that didn't allow for rapid regeneration. Additionally, using good quality hardwoods such as cherry or walnut instead of other, less-durable material would ensure many more years of service life for the finished product. Most customers and homeowners very much enjoy the look and beauty of these woods.
Manufacturing industries have been given a 'black eye' recently for failing to produce more green or environmentally friendly products. This has changed for cabinetry and woodworkers. There are several effective and easy ways to improve processes to deliver quality work while reducing negative impact to the environment. These ways fall into three main categories; purchasing responsibly grown and harvested wood, using recycled core materials and avoiding materials manufactured with formaldehyde.
Responsibly Farmed Hardwoods - Harvesting good quality hardwoods involves careful selection and manufacturing processes. These processes do not damage surrounding trees or impact forests in such as fashion as to hinder future growth. In fact, selective harvesting can actually increase production over time. Unfortunately, good hardwood trees take a great deal of time to grow into usable size. This partially accounts for their expense relative to other materials. Other woods such as bamboo can offer interesting construction options. When used by skilled craftsmen, these other woods can provide the long life the customer seeks.
Green or Recycled Composite Materials - Many cabinet or furniture projects use types of synthetic or pressed composite materials in areas the user may not frequently come in contact with. Manufacturers have recently begun utilizing recycled materials in their products which reduces the amount of natural wood required. Good resin and manufacturing processes can actually turn several substances that would normally be disposed of in landfills, into useful and salable products.
Formaldehyde Free Materials - Some processes for manufacturing composite construction materials include the use of formaldehyde. This strong and toxic chemical has many potential side effects to those that come in contact with it - and few of them are good. Avoiding purchase of composites manufactured with formaldehyde reduces the use of this chemical. Now that modern manufacturing processes can deliver excellent quality composite materials without formaldehyde, environmentally conscious woodworkers can now look for these when beginning a new project.
Using these three practices, craftsmen can produce excellent quality woodwork products and still improve the environmental impact of the entire project. Even in custom cabinet making and woodworking, small changes to industry 'best practices' can mean significant improvement for all.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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