Many variety of factors affect how long a wooden product lasts, including the type of wood, the location of the product, and the treatment that has been applied to it. Wood is lightweight, but also strong and durable.
As Iain Smith, managing director of A Wood Idea puts it: ‘When treated correctly, hardwood doors and floors, for instance, can last longer than a lifetime – some over 100 years. The longer wood lasts, the less energy is used on the production of new products, which in turn makes it better for the environment.’
The cellular makeup of wood means that it naturally retains heat more effectively than other materials – in fact, it holds seven times more heat than ceramic tiles,’ says A Wood Idea’s Iain Smith.
Air chambers within the wood itself absorb heat and create a naturally warmer home that requires less energy to heat it.
Research has shown that natural alternatives, such as wood, lowers stress and anxiety levels when you’re at home. Marjut Wallenius, a doctor of psychology at the University of Tampere, says: ‘Wood has psychological effects on people and a similar stress-reducing effect to nature.’ She adds that studies carried out so far have revealed that wood has a calming effect: ‘This is based on the positive emotional experience that wood causes, such as proximity to nature, warmth, homeliness and a relaxing effect.’
