Why is wood considered the most sustainable building material?

Wood stands apart from other building materials because it's the only major structural material that is renewable, naturally regenerating, and actually removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it grows. Unlike concrete, steel, aluminium, or brick—all of which require mining, high-heat processing, and significant fossil fuel inputs—trees grow using only sunlight, water, air, and nutrients from the soil.

At Durable Hardwoods, we believe this fundamental difference makes wood the most environmentally responsible choice for construction. When sourced from sustainably managed forests, wood is truly a material that can be used indefinitely without depleting the earth's resources.

 

What makes wood a renewable resource?

Wood is renewable in a way that no other structural building material can match. Trees can be replanted and regrown, and with proper forest management, we can harvest timber indefinitely without diminishing the resource base. In Australia, with 95% of production forests certified as sustainably managed, we ensure that harvest rates never exceed growth rates—meaning the resource is actually increasing over time.

Compare this to:

·Steel: Made from iron ore that must be mined from finite deposits

·Concrete: Requires limestone (mined), sand (often from river beds causing environmental damage), and produces massive CO2 emissions during cement production

·Aluminium: Made from bauxite ore through one of the most energy-intensive manufacturing processes

·Brick: Requires clay mining and high-temperature kilns

·Plastic composites: Derived from petroleum, a finite fossil fuel

Once these materials are extracted and used, those resources are gone forever or require energy-intensive recycling. Trees, by contrast, regrow naturally.

 

Carbon Storage and Climate Benefits

How does wood help fight climate change?

Wood is unique among building materials because it actively stores carbon. As trees grow, they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and convert it into wood fibre. Approximately 50% of wood's dry weight is carbon that has been captured from the atmosphere.

When you use wood in construction, that carbon remains locked away for the life of the building—potentially decades or even centuries. A house built with timber is essentially a carbon storage warehouse. Dense Australian hardwoods like the species we supply at Durable Hardwoods are particularly effective, storing significant carbon per cubic meter and lasting for generations.

 

How does wood compare to other materials in terms of carbon emissions?

The contrast is dramatic, with recent research providing compelling evidence:

Mass Timber Buildings: Studies show that reinforced concrete buildings have embodied greenhouse gas emissions that are on average 42.68% higher than mass timber alternatives Mass timber buildings lower global warming potential by 39-51% compared to reinforced concrete buildings and 28-34% compared to structural steel buildings When accounting for biogenic carbon storage and material recyclability, these reductions increase to 81-94% and 76-91% respectively One study found mass timber structures emit 198 kg CO2 equivalent per square meter of gross floor area compared to 243 kg for steel structures—a 19% reduction

Material Production Emissions:

Concrete:

• Cement production accounts for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions
• Produces roughly 1 tonne of CO2 for every tonne of cement manufactured
• High embodied energy from quarrying, transport, and chemical processing
• Requires limestone to be heated to 1,450°C in kilns

Steel:

• Produces approximately 2 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel manufactured
• Requires iron ore mining, coking coal, and blast furnaces reaching 1,500°C
• Extremely high embodied energy
• Even recycled steel requires significant energy input for remelting

Aluminium:

• One of the most carbon-intensive materials
• Produces approximately 12 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of aluminium from raw bauxite
• Requires electrolysis at high temperatures
• Even recycled aluminium uses about 5% of the energy of virgin aluminium—still substantial

Brick:

• Requires clay extraction and kiln firing at 1,000°C
• Produces approximately 0.4 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of brick
• Energy-intensive manufacturing process

Wood (especially Australian hardwoods from Durable Hardwoods):

• Stores approximately 1 tonne of CO2 per cubic meter
• Minimal processing energy required (sawing, drying)
• Low embodied energy
• Can be carbon negative when sustainably sourced Studies show mass timber buildings can store thousands of tonnes of CO2 equivalent, presenting carbon emission benefits for the life span of the structure

 

What is embodied energy and why does it matter?

Embodied energy is the total energy required to produce a material—from extraction and processing to manufacturing and transport. It's a critical measure of environmental impact because most of this energy comes from fossil fuels, generating greenhouse gas emissions.

Embodied Energy Comparison (approximate MJ/kg):

• Sawn hardwood: 2-5 MJ/kg (minimal—mostly sawing and drying)
• Sawn softwood: 1-3 MJ/kg
• Concrete: 1-2 MJ/kg (but used in much larger volumes)
• Clay brick: 2-3 MJ/kg
• Steel: 20-35 MJ/kg
• Aluminium: 150-200 MJ/kg
• PVC plastic: 60-80 MJ/kg

Wood has among the lowest embodied energy of any structural material. The energy used to process timber at Durable Hardwoods—sawing logs and kiln drying—is minimal compared to smelting steel or firing cement.

 

Can using wood actually reduce a building's carbon footprint?

Absolutely, with substantial research confirming the benefits. Studies consistently demonstrate that timber buildings have significantly lower carbon footprints than equivalent buildings made from concrete and steel:

Building-Level Reductions:

• Mass timber buildings achieve 39-51% lower global warming potential compared to reinforced concrete buildings
• Mass timber buildings show 28-34% lower emissions compared to structural steel buildings
• Real-world case studies show 19-44% embodied carbon reductions in actual mass timber projects
• When biogenic carbon storage is included, reductions increase to 81-94% compared to concrete and 76-91% compared to steel

Three Mechanisms Create This Benefit:

1. Carbon storage: The wood itself stores carbon removed from the atmosphere. Studies show mass timber buildings can store approximately 2,757 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, presenting carbon emission delay benefits for the building's entire lifespan.
2. Low embodied energy: Minimal fossil fuels are used in processing wood compared to manufacturing concrete and steel.
3. Substitution benefits: Using wood instead of high-emission materials prevents those emissions. One analysis of 18 comparisons across four continents found that substituting conventional building materials for mass timber reduces construction phase emissions by an average of 216 kgCO2e per square meter of floor area.

The Scale of Potential Impact:

Recent Yale research found that switching to CLT in 30% to 60% of new urban buildings from 2020 to 2100 could reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 25.6 to 39 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent—roughly equal to total annual global energy-related CO₂ emissions.

When you multiply timber's carbon benefits across an entire building, the savings become substantial. This is why many architects and developers concerned about climate change are increasingly specifying timber construction. At Durable Hardwoods, every project using our Australian hardwoods represents measurable carbon reductions compared to conventional construction materials.

 

Energy Efficiency and Processing

How much energy does it take to produce wood compared to other materials?

The energy comparison is striking. Wood requires minimal processing:

Wood Processing:

• Harvest with machinery (relatively low fuel use)
• Transport logs to sawmill
• Saw logs into dimensional lumber
• Kiln dry (the most energy-intensive step, but still modest)
• Surface planning if required

 

Contrast with Other Materials:

Steel: Requires mining iron ore, mining and coking coal, transporting both to blast furnaces, heating to 1,500°C, refining, casting, and rolling. Each step is energy-intensive.

Concrete/Cement: Requires quarrying limestone and clay, crushing, grinding, heating to 1,450°C in kilns (producing chemical reactions that release CO2), grinding again, then mixing with water and aggregates.

Aluminium: Requires mining bauxite, refining it to alumina using the Bayer process, then electrolysis in Hall-Héroult cells at high temperatures—one of the most energy-intensive processes in all manufacturing.

Brick: Requires clay extraction, mixing, moulding, drying, then firing in kilns at 1,000°C for hours.

Even kiln-dried hardwood from Durable Hardwoods uses a fraction of the energy required for these other materials.

 

Can wood production be powered by renewable energy?

Yes, and increasingly it is. Modern sawmills often use their own waste products (sawdust, bark, offcuts) as biofuel to power operations and run kilns. This means the energy source is carbon-neutral—no fossil fuels required.

Additionally, because wood processing requires relatively low energy inputs compared to steel or concrete production, it's much easier to power entirely with renewable sources like solar, wind, or hydroelectric power.

Compare this to steel or aluminium smelting, which requires enormous amounts of continuous high-temperature heat that's difficult to provide from renewable sources with current technology.

 

Forest Management and Biodiversity

Doesn't harvesting timber destroy forests?

This is a common misconception that recent research has definitively addressed. When forests are sustainably managed—as 95% of Australian production forests are—harvesting actually maintains forests rather than destroying them. Here's the evidence:

Sustainable Forest Management Works:

• Harvest rates are carefully calculated to never exceed growth rates
• Forests regenerate naturally or are replanted after harvest
• Forest area is maintained or increased
• Biodiversity is protected through reserved areas, wildlife corridors, and retention of habitat trees
• Long-term health of the forest ecosystem is prioritized

Research Confirms Forest Expansion: Recent studies challenge outdated assumptions about timber harvesting. Research using global timber models demonstrates that modern timber harvesting is based on purpose-grown forests, and if demand for mass timber rises, more forests are planted—leading to more carbon being stored, not less. Analysis shows that CLT adoption can increase afforestation in regions like the U.S., China, Western Europe, and Canada while reducing marginal farmland, potentially expanding productive forestland globally by as much as 36.5 million hectares (roughly the size of Germany) by 2100.

The Critical Distinction: The key difference is between sustainable forestry and deforestation. Deforestation is clearing forests to convert land to other uses (agriculture, urban development, etc.). Sustainable forestry maintains the forest and its ecological functions while producing renewable timber.

Australia's Track Record: In Australia, we've actually increased our forest area while continuing to harvest timber sustainably. Areas harvested 15 years ago are now thriving forests again where you can barely tell harvesting occurred. Historical evidence from well-managed regions shows similar patterns: over the past 100 years, many forested regions have seen trends reverse from net carbon loss to net carbon gain as sustainable management practices were implemented and less productive agricultural lands returned to forest.

At Durable Hardwoods, our certified Australian hardwoods come from forests that are monitored to ensure they continue functioning as healthy ecosystems and carbon sinks, generation after generation.

 

How does sustainable forestry support biodiversity?

Well-managed forests actually support rich biodiversity. Australian forestry standards require:

• Identification and protection of rare and endangered species
• Maintenance of wildlife habitat and corridors
• Protection of old-growth trees and ecologically important areas
• Careful management of harvesting to minimize wildlife disruption
• Monitoring of forest health and biodiversity indicators
• Protection of soil and water quality

Many studies have shown that sustainably managed forests maintain biodiversity comparable to unharvested forests. The mosaic of different forest ages created by rotational harvesting can actually increase habitat diversity, benefiting different species.

Compare this to the impacts of mining for other building materials:

• Iron ore mining: Creates massive open pits, removes entire landscapes
• Limestone quarrying: Destroys rock formations permanently
• Bauxite mining: Often involves clearing rainforest, leaves toxic residue
• Sand mining: Damages river ecosystems and coastlines

These extractive industries create permanent landscape damage. Forests, by contrast, regrow.

 

Lifecycle and End-of-Life Considerations

What happens to wood at the end of a building's life?

Wood has exceptional end-of-life options that make it superior to other building materials:

Reuse: Wood can be easily reclaimed and reused. Hardwood beams, flooring, and framing from demolished buildings are often salvaged and used in new construction. At Durable Hardwoods, we see strong demand for recycled hardwoods, which have a second life without any reprocessing.

Recycling: Wood can be chipped and used for particle board, MDF, mulch, animal bedding, or biofuel.

Composting: Wood is biodegradable and will naturally decompose, returning nutrients to the soil.

Energy recovery: Wood can be burned for heat or energy, and unlike fossil fuels, this is carbon-neutral (it only releases carbon that was recently captured from the atmosphere).

Compare to Other Materials:

Concrete: Difficult to recycle. Usually crushed for aggregate in road base—a downcycled use. Most concrete waste goes to landfill where it sits permanently.

Steel: Can be recycled, which is positive, but requires energy-intensive remelting in furnaces. Quality may degrade with each recycling cycle.

Brick: Very difficult to reuse unless mortar is carefully removed. Usually becomes landfill waste.

Aluminium: Can be recycled using about 5% of the energy of virgin production, but still energy-intensive.

Plastic composites: Often not recyclable due to mixed materials and additives. Typically go to landfill where they persist for hundreds of years.

Is wood biodegradable?

Yes, wood is naturally biodegradable—it's one of only a few building materials that will return to the earth naturally. However, this is actually a feature we can control:

• In service: When kept dry and properly maintained, hardwoods can last centuries (think of historic timber buildings worldwide)
• At end of life: When no longer needed, wood will naturally decompose, unlike plastic, concrete, or metal that persist indefinitely

Even treated timber, when disposed of properly, is far more benign than industrial materials that never break down.

 

Durability and Longevity

Isn't wood less durable than concrete or steel?

This is a myth. When properly selected, installed, and maintained, wood—especially dense Australian hardwoods—can last as long or longer than other materials:

Examples of Wood's Durability:

• Japanese wooden temples over 1,400 years old (oldest wooden building in the world)
• European timber-framed houses from the Middle Ages (600+ years)
• Australian hardwood infrastructure (bridges, wharves) lasting 100+ years
• Historic timber ships and boats that have survived centuries

Hardwood Species from Durable Hardwoods:

• Ironbark, spotted gum, and blackbutt have natural durability ratings of up to 50+ years in ground contact
• Above ground, these species can last indefinitely with minimal maintenance
• Natural oils and dense grain structure resist decay, insects, and weathering

Reality Check on Other Materials:

Concrete: Typical design life of 50-100 years. Modern concrete often shows deterioration sooner due to:

• Rebar corrosion (causes cracking and spalling)
• Alkali-aggregate reaction (internal expansion)
• Freeze-thaw damage in cold climates
• Many concrete structures from the 1960s-70s already require major repairs

Steel: Corrodes without proper protection. Requires painting, galvanizing, or other coatings that need regular maintenance. Marine and industrial environments accelerate corrosion.

Aluminium: Better corrosion resistance than steel but still degrades in some environments. Can suffer from galvanic corrosion when in contact with other metals.

 

The key is appropriate material selection. Durable Hardwoods helps customers select the right species for each application, ensuring longevity that equals or exceeds alternative materials.

 

Bushfire Risk

What about bushfire risk?

This is an important consideration in Australia. Surprisingly, large timber members perform well in fire:

Large Timber Behaviour in Fire:

• Hardwood burns slowly and predictably
• Forms a protective char layer on the outside
• Interior remains structurally sound much longer than might be expected
• Engineers can calculate the char rate and design accordingly

Steel in Fire:

• Loses strength rapidly at high temperatures
• Can collapse suddenly without warning
• Requires fire protection (boarding or spray coatings) in many applications
• Major steel structures have catastrophically failed in fires

Concrete in Fire:

• Can spall (explode in chunks) when moisture in the concrete turns to steam
• Rebar loses strength at high temperatures
• Requires minimum cover thickness for fire rating

For bushfire-prone areas, Australian standards provide clear guidance on appropriate timber selection and construction details. Many homes with proper timber construction have survived major bushfires.

 

Water Usage and Pollution

How does wood production impact water resources?

Wood production has minimal water impact compared to other building materials:

Timber Harvesting:

• Uses no water in processing (trees obtain water naturally while growing)
• Sustainable forestry standards require protection of waterways
• Careful harvest planning prevents soil erosion into streams
• Riparian zones are protected
• No chemical pollution from processing

 

Contrast with Other Materials:

Concrete Production:

• Requires significant water for mixing and curing
• Sand mining for concrete often depletes river systems
• Cement plants can discharge alkaline wastewater
• Aggregate washing produces sediment pollution

Steel Production:

• Uses enormous quantities of water for cooling blast furnaces
• Can discharge heavy metals and other pollutants
• Mining operations often contaminate waterways

Aluminium Production:

• Generates "red mud" - a toxic alkaline waste product
• Millions of tonnes are stored in containment ponds
• Pond failures have caused environmental disasters (e.g., Hungary 2010)
• Processing requires large quantities of water

Brick Manufacturing:

• Clay extraction can impact waterways
• Kiln operations require cooling water

At Durable Hardwoods, the Australian hardwoods we supply come from forests where water quality is actively monitored and protected as part of certification requirements.

 

Does forestry cause water pollution?

Not when properly managed. Australian forestry standards include strict water protection requirements:

• Buffer zones around all waterways (no harvesting allowed)
• Roads and tracks designed to prevent erosion
• Stream crossings properly constructed
• Soil disturbance minimized
• No machinery in streams
• Oil and fuel management protocols prevent spills

Independent auditors verify these practices during certification audits. Research examining U.S. forests—which, like Australia, have strong forest management—found that even after accounting for all harvesting, fires, land use change and other disturbances, forests still remove a net 754 million tons of CO2 per year from the atmosphere, equivalent to 13.5% of U.S. emissions. This demonstrates that well-managed forestry maintains forests' ecological functions, including water quality protection.

In contrast, mining operations for other building materials often have documented water pollution issues.

 

Health and Indoor Air Quality

Is wood healthier for indoor environments?

Yes, wood offers several health benefits for building occupants:

Natural Material: Wood is non-toxic and doesn't off-gas harmful chemicals (unlike many manufactured materials).

Humidity Regulation: Wood naturally absorbs and releases moisture, helping regulate indoor humidity for occupant comfort.

Biophilic Benefits: Research shows that wood in interior spaces reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and improves overall wellbeing—a phenomenon related to humans' innate connection to nature.

Air Quality: Unlike many building materials, natural wood doesn't emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or formaldehyde (except some engineered wood products with certain adhesives—which is why we specify low-emission adhesives where applicable).

 

Compare to Alternatives:

Concrete: Can emit alkaline dust; may harbour mold in damp conditions; cold and hard surface with no biophilic benefits.

Steel: No inherent health issues when used structurally, but cold and industrial feel; no biophilic benefits.

Vinyl/PVC: Can off-gas plasticizers and other chemicals; some formulations have raised health concerns.

Synthetic Carpets and Composites: Often contain VOCs, formaldehyde, and other chemicals that off-gas over time.

The natural beauty and warmth of hardwood from Durable Hardwoods creates healthier, more pleasant living and working environments.

 

Economic and Social Sustainability

Does using wood support local communities?

Yes, especially in Australia where timber is locally sourced. When you choose Australian hardwoods from Durable Hardwoods, you're supporting:

Local Jobs: Forestry, sawmilling, and timber processing provide good, long-term employment in regional and rural areas where such jobs are crucial to community wellbeing.

Regional Economies: Timber industries support entire regional economies with flow-on effects to local businesses, schools, and services.

Skills and Training: The industry provides apprenticeships and training in valuable trades—carpentry, engineering, forest management.

Indigenous Employment: Many forestry operations provide employment and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities, along with recognition of cultural values.

 

Contrast with Other Materials:

Imported Steel, Aluminium, and Cement: Often sourced internationally, meaning your money leaves Australia and supports overseas economies.

Mining Operations: While providing some employment, often have boom-bust cycles, and may bring fly-in-fly-out workers rather than supporting local permanent communities.

Automated Manufacturing: Cement and steel plants are increasingly automated, providing fewer jobs per tonne of material than timber processing.

When you specify Australian hardwoods, you're making a choice that supports Australian jobs and communities.

 

Is wood cost-competitive with other materials?

Yes, and often more economical when total lifecycle costs are considered:

Initial Cost: Depending on application and species, timber is often cost-competitive or cheaper than alternatives for many applications.

Installation: Generally faster and easier to work with than concrete or steel, reducing labour costs.

Maintenance: Properly selected hardwoods require minimal maintenance. Many alternatives require painting, sealing, or other ongoing maintenance.

Lifespan: As discussed, quality hardwoods last as long or longer than alternatives.

End-of-Life: Wood has value even at end of life (salvage, reuse, energy recovery), while concrete and brick removal is a costly disposal problem.

Hidden Costs: Using materials like concrete and steel means accepting their environmental costs—future generations will pay the price of climate change from those emissions.

At Durable Hardwoods, we help customers understand the total value proposition of Australian hardwoods.

 

The Future of Sustainable Construction

Is wood use increasing in modern construction?

Yes, dramatically. We're seeing a global resurgence in timber construction driven by climate action and technological innovation:

Environmental Imperative: Architects, developers, and governments increasingly recognize wood's sustainability advantages as essential for meeting climate targets.

Engineered Wood Revolution: Technologies like CLT (cross-laminated timber), glulam, and LVL allow timber to be used in ways previously impossible. Mass timber buildings of 18 stories and higher are now being constructed worldwide, demonstrating wood's viability for major construction projects.

Carbon-Neutral Buildings: As countries commit to reducing emissions, timber is recognized as essential for achieving carbon-neutral construction. Mass timber is identified as one of seven key technologies that can help create net-zero-carbon cities.

Green Building Standards: Standards like Green Star increasingly Favor or require sustainable materials, benefiting certified timber. Future versions will make certification mandatory for products containing more than 20% wood fibre.

Proven Performance: Recent case studies demonstrate real-world success:

• Harvard University's Treehouse conference center achieved 44% embodied carbon reduction using mass timber
• The Bunker Hill public housing redevelopment in Charlestown adopted cross-laminated timber
• Institutions are exploring dozens of structural systems to optimize both cost and carbon performance

Australia is participating in this trend, with increasing numbers of commercial buildings, schools, and public structures showcasing timber. The research and real-world applications consistently demonstrate that mass timber isn't just a niche alternative—it's becoming a mainstream solution for sustainable construction.

 

What role will wood play in addressing climate change?

Wood must play a central role in reducing construction industry emissions. Building construction and operation accounts for over a third of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, with concrete and steel together accounting for almost 15 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

 

The Evidence is Compelling:

Recent research demonstrates wood's transformative potential. Switching to cross-laminated timber (CLT) in 30% to 60% of new urban buildings from 2020 to 2100 could reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 25.6 to 39 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent, roughly equal to total annual global energy-related CO₂ emissions.

At the building level, mass timber buildings lower global warming potential by an estimated range of 39-51% compared to functionally equivalent reinforced concrete buildings, and 28-34% compared to structural steel buildings. When accounting for biogenic carbon storage and material recyclability, these reductions increase to ranges of 81-94% and 76-91% respectively.

Studies consistently show significant emissions reductions: research comparing mass timber with equivalent structures shows mass timber buildings typically achieve 19-43% lower embodied carbon, with one study finding approximately 2,757 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent stored in a mass timber building.

 

Critical Conditions for Success:

However, these benefits depend entirely on sustainable sourcing. If trees used for timber are harvested unsustainably or aren't replaced and allowed to grow at a sustainable rate, forests can end up releasing more carbon than they capture.

This is precisely where Australia's position becomes powerful. Recent research challenges earlier concerns about mass timber depleting forests. Studies show that modern timber harvesting is based on purpose-grown forests, and if demand rises, more forests are planted, leading to more carbon being stored, not less. CLT adoption can increase afforestation while reducing marginal farmland, with carbon sequestered both in growing forests and in mass timber buildings.

 

Australia's Unique Advantage:

For Durable Hardwoods, the Australian context positions us ideally to deliver genuine climate benefits:

• With 95% of production forests certified as sustainably managed (versus 10% globally), Australia ensures harvest rates never exceed growth rates
• Independent auditing with 220+ sustainability indicators ensures forests remain healthy carbon sinks
• Dense Australian hardwoods store more carbon per cubic meter and last longer, maximizing climate benefits over building lifespans
• Our certification systems provide the transparency and verification that research identifies as essential for credible carbon claims

 

The Path Forward:

Wood can deliver its full climate potential when:

1. It comes from certified, sustainably managed forests like Australia's
2. Harvest rates are carefully controlled and independently verified
3. It's used strategically in appropriate applications to maximize substitution benefits
4. Forest management maintains and enhances carbon storage in living forests
5. Long-lasting species like hardwoods maximize carbon storage duration

At Durable Hardwoods, we're not just supplying timber—we're delivering verified climate solutions. Every cubic meter of Australian hardwood we supply represents carbon stored, high-emission materials avoided, and forests managed to enhance ongoing carbon sequestration. This is wood's central role in addressing climate change, and it's a role Australian hardwoods are uniquely positioned to fulfil.

 

Making the Sustainable Choice

How can I verify the sustainability of wood products?

Look for credible certifications:

Responsible Wood / PEFC Certified: Guarantees sustainably managed Australian forests with independent auditing against 220+ sustainability indicators.

FSC Certified: Another internationally recognized certification system.

Chain of Custody: Ensures traceability from certified forest to final product.

At Durable Hardwoods, we provide full documentation of our timber's origin and sustainability credentials. We're proud that virtually all Australian hardwood production comes from certified, sustainably managed forests.

 

What questions should I ask my timber supplier?

When sourcing timber for your project, ask:

1. Where does this timber come from? (specific forest/region)
2. Is it certified? Under which scheme?
3. Can you provide chain of custody documentation?
4. What is the species' natural durability rating for my application?
5. Is this timber legally sourced? (compliance with Illegal Logging Prohibition Act)
6. What is the embodied energy/carbon footprint?
7. Are there recycled or reclaimed options for this application?

At Durable Hardwoods, we're prepared to answer all these questions and more. We believe transparency about our products' environmental credentials is essential.

 

Why choose Durable Hardwoods for sustainable timber?

When you choose Durable Hardwoods, you're choosing:

Australian-Grown: Supporting Australian forests, jobs, and communities rather than imported alternatives.

Certified Sustainable: Access to certified timber from the world's best-managed forests (Australia's 95% certification rate is unmatched globally).

Low Environmental Impact: Dense hardwoods that store significant carbon, require minimal processing energy, and last for generations.

Species Expertise: We help you select the right hardwood species for durability, performance, and sustainability in your specific application.

Full Documentation: Complete transparency about origin, sustainability credentials, and environmental impact.

Commitment to Sustainability: We're not just selling timber—we're part of a sustainable future for construction.

 

The Bottom Line

Is wood really the most sustainable building material?

When all factors are considered—renewability, carbon storage, embodied energy, lifecycle impacts, biodiversity, water use, health benefits, and end-of-life options—wood stands alone as the most environmentally sustainable major building material.

No other structural material:

• Grows naturally using only sunlight and air
• Stores carbon removed from the atmosphere
• Requires so little energy to process
• Can be sourced from sustainably managed systems that maintain biodiversity
• Is fully biodegradable and recyclable
• Supports rural communities and sustainable livelihoods

At Durable Hardwoods, we believe that choosing Australian hardwoods—especially from certified sustainable sources—is one of the most impactful environmental choices you can make in construction. Every project built with sustainable timber instead of concrete and steel represents a significant reduction in carbon emissions and environmental impact.

 

The choice is clear: for a sustainable future, build with wood.