We Love Wood!

We’re coming up on Valentine’s day and I’m reminded of some of my favorite love stories: “as you wish,” in The Princess Bride; the boisterous March sisters in Little Women; cold plums in This is Just to Say by William Carlos Williams. And a favorite, A Reverence for Wood, by American landscape painter, Eric Sloane. As close as one can get to a love story about timber, Sloane describes the complicated—what relationship isn’t?—and sometimes exploitive link between America and wood. Always a great observer, he points to the often magical qualities of wood, especially when in the hands of a craftsman who knows and respects it.

Illustration of shiplap frame by Eric Sloane

This relationship between forest and man is a cornerstone of American history and culture—evident in cradle, barn, bowls, chairs, and coffin. Yet he also saw how development and urbanization moved us further from our intimacy with the material and in doing so, led us to mistreat it.

“It may be that after we have spent a century or two in expending our wealth of wood to seek the riches of other planets, we will realize that our greatest wealth was right here on earth after all.”

Even 60 years after its original publishing, it’s easy to see the distance that Sloane describes: countertops made of laminate, fiberglass in our walls, and vinyl on our floors that try as it might, never quite looks like the wood it claims to imitate. But, “modern tires, plastics, medicines and paints, boxes and cartons and bags and newspapers; almost everything we use can still be traced in some way to the tree.”

At TimberHP, we believe wood is key to both our history and our best future. It offers beauty, strength, health and the miraculous capacity to regenerate. But the relationship goes both ways. We need to balance our consumption with care and respect, practicing sustainable forest management and nurturing native species. So, in the spirit of Valentine’s, consider this our love letter to wood and how you can incorporate it, lovingly, into your home.

Why Wood?

Bear with us while we wax poetic about the advantages of timber construction and designing with wood. Hopefully you fall in love too.

Sustainability

Wood does something no other building material can. It produces itself using only solar energy (okay, and water). And it does so in a short time; with most timber harvested after 30-100 years of growth. Yes, this is incredibly short compared to the millions of years needed to make stone, coal, and fossil fuels for the manufacturing of steel, concrete, vinyl, and other man-made building materials. This is exactly what makes timber a renewable resource.

When we choose to source wood locally and responsibly, this renewability grows even stronger. Sustainably managed woodlots selectively harvest trees, regularly monitor the overall health of the forest, and plant new trees. This not only protects the biodiversity and long-term health of the woodlot but also ensures it can meet human needs for generations to come. In our home region of New England, softwood species like Eastern White Pine are fast-growing with long, uniformly packed fibers that offer a high strength-to-weight ratio—the perfect candidate for durable, regenerative building.

Throughout its lifespan, wood also stores carbon, something we have an increasing excess of. Even when cut down and milled, most species of wood are approximately 50% carbon by weight. Thus, it continues storing carbon in building applications while new trees grow in forests.

To top it all off, wood products are highly recyclable. Discarded wood can often be recut and repurposed into something new—just look how our products are made with wood waste from lumber yards. And when its usable life ends, wood is biodegradable, returning to the soil to help other plants grow. Truly, timber is one of the most sustainable building materials and it’s no wonder that humans have been building with wood for more than 10,000 years.

Performance

While wood is busy storing carbon in your home, it is also improving performance and safety. Did you know that wood can provide equal fire resistance to concrete structures? In fact, cross-laminated timber performs above code requirements. Wood also naturally manages moisture, resists chemicals and corrosives, and can be designed to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. When integrated in a well-designed envelope and properly cared for, wood can last indefinitely. Just take the Sakyamuni Pagoda, for example, a wooden structure that has been standing strong for 957 years and counting.

Perhaps our favorite attribute of wood is its high energy efficiency. Wood naturally has a low thermal conductivity compared to materials like steel or concrete. This means it does not easily allow heat to pass through, helping to maintain stable indoor temperatures in all seasons. The energy required for heating and cooling, therefore, tends to be lower in wooden structures, which can significantly reduce energy costs and consumption.

Human Health

There is growing research on the effects of our built environments on our health. VOCs, for example, are gasses emitted into the air from products or their manufacturing processes, some of which can have long-term health effects. As a natural product, wood is low-VOC. By managing moisture, temperature, and sound, wood products increase indoor air quality and comfort.

Recent studies have also shown a tangible health benefit to biophilic design—AKA surrounding yourself with natural materials is good for you. Living and working in spaces with wood can decrease stress, improve productivity, and increase relaxation.

Beauty & Versatility

It almost goes without saying that wood is aesthetically appealing. Its beauty is timeless, adapting to and enhancing different design sensibilities across the ages. Hand-hewn beams fit a rustic look, intricately carved moldings work well with Victorian designs, and smooth wood paneling adds to the clean lines of contemporary interiors. It brings warmth and texture to any space and can be crafted into virtually any shape and finish, making it incredibly versatile.

As it ages, wood can develop a patina or change in color, adding depth and character to evolving interiors and making your home feel lived in. And if your design aesthetic changes, most wood elements can be refinished to match. Whether it’s the centerpiece or the backdrop, wood balances other materials for a complex and cohesive aesthetic.

All Wood Construction: Where to Use Wood in Your Home

At this point you’re thinking, “I get it: wood is good! But where and how do I use it in my home?” As we’ve discussed, timber is both a valuable building material and an ideal design element. Here are 6 ways you can incorporate timber into your home and strive towards all wood construction.

Mass Timber Construction

Approximately 90% of single-family homes in the US are stick-built—meaning they are framed with wood. This traditional construction method is time-tested and highly customizable. But a new timber construction method is gaining popularity: mass timber construction. In mass timber architecture, solid wood panels are glued, nailed, or doweled together to create exceptional strength and stability, rivaling steel or concrete. This technology is particularly useful in constructing multi-story, commercial buildings but can also be used to build cross-laminated timber houses. In residential and commercial applications, the solid CLT wood panels are often left as the interior finish material, resulting in gorgeous, warm, and non-toxic interiors. Whether through stick-built or mass timber construction, wood is the perfect base for the rest of your home.

Open concept kitchen and dining room with unfinished wood interior
mass timber construction interior

Exterior Wood Siding

The exterior of your home must face daily challenges like moisture, changes in temperature, sun exposure, wind, debris, and animal interference. Safe to say, it needs to withstand a lot. Certain species of wood like Cedar and Redwood, harvested from sustainably managed woodlots, are naturally resistant to rot and insect attacks. Wood’s insulating properties mean this siding choice adds an extra layer of energy efficiency to your home. With proper care, it can last decades and has a high return on investment, increasing your property value. Speaking of curb appeal, wood can be stained or painted in virtually any color and ranges in shape from simple planks to decoratively carved shingles.

cedar shake siding

Wood Fiber Insulation

Ditch the itchy fiberglass or the foam insulation that will take 500 years to break down and opt for sustainable, high-performance wood fiber insulation. Made from the wood waste of lumber yards and mills, wood fiber insulation is a fire-resistant and healthy solution that offers high R-values and unmatched acoustics. It’s safe and easy to work with, improving your home efficiency in a way that’s safe for the humans inside and the environment.

You can find it at locally for DIY projects at prices competitive with traditional insulation materials or talk to your architect about specifying wood fiber insulation on a new build.

Hardwood Flooring

With so many varieties, stains, finishes, and layouts, wood floors are incredibly design versatile. Research native timber species in your area to choose a fast-growing, sustainably harvested option. Not only is this environmentally responsible, it also helps you create a home that is rooted in place. For us, that means beautiful, knotty New England pine that brings warmth and visual interest to our floors. The milling of pine boards results in leftover woodchips that TimberHP can then transform into high-performing insulation.

Another one of the benefits of hardwood floors is that they’re durable, standing up to daily foot traffic, pets, and furniture. I’ve worked in a number of homes with wood floors that are more than 200 years old and still look great. The vinyl sheeting in my kitchen, on the other hand, is around 20 years old and bears stains, discoloration, scuffs, and peeling around the edges. The secret? Wood flooring can be refinished—sometimes even 10 times over its lifespan, depending on the thickness of the original planks. Like with wood siding, hardwood floors also add value to your home with many buyers willing to pay more for a home featuring wood flooring.

wide pine flooring in a modern living room
beautiful pine floors in a modern living room

Cabinetry & Millwork

Millwork refers to the decorative architectural features of your home like window and door trim, molding, baseboards, wall paneling, railings, and mantels. Wood millwork is elegant, equally customizable, and is available ready-made in a variety of styles.

Solid wood cabinets are a hallmark of quality and elegance in home design providing both aesthetic appeal and functionality. They are durable and can take the daily use that comes with any kitchen. Like other wood design features, they can also be refinished and painted to match your style.

solid wood kitchen cabinets

Furniture & Decor

Why not add just a little more wood to your home to top it off? Dining sets, bed frames, bookshelves, and nightstands—virtually any furniture piece can be crafted with wood, and the result is something beautiful, unique, and long-lasting. Wood furniture can last centuries and is often passed down between generations, valued for enduring style and the stories they hold. When you buy furniture from small-scale woodworkers, you support the local economy and encourage this heritage craft. And if you’re anything like me, there are lots of treasures to be found at antique stores and thrift shops.

Antique store with wood furniture

The love story here is not just about celebrating the history of wood and praising its attributes. It’s also about taking the time to examine our relationship with this natural resource and think critically about how we can make it beneficial for both sides, human and tree. As the climate changes and our native wood species come under threat from far more than human harvesting, it we must continually adapt our regenerative practices to support the long term life of our forests. We hope you join us in furthering wood’s place of honor in the future of our built environment through your careful choices as a homeowner.