Wood has always been here for our use, but we need to remember that even though it’s a natural resource, it can be exhausted if we’re not careful and responsible. We are passionate about wood here at Swirl Woodcraft, both for its usefulness and in regard to our sustainable usage of the precious resource. We wanted to share some fun facts about wood that you may not know.
Wood homes are typically warmer than those made from metal or concrete. Wood has a natural insulation property that allows it to retain and release heat efficiently.
Wood has the lowest carbon footprint as a building material compared to other building materials such as plastics and steel.
Not all wood floats. Some woods are very dense, like the African Blackwood Tree or the Ebony Tree, and will sink quickly.
Wood has really nice acoustic properties because it absorbs echoes. This is why it’s used commonly in concert halls.
White Oak contains tyloses, a substance that allows liquids to penetrate. It’s the only wood species that can hold liquid.
Wood is a natural resource and is an economic and feasible building choice when harvested ethically.
The terms “softwood” and “hardwood” are not exactly in reference to the specific wood. It’s connected to the structure of the tree, the tree’s seeds, and the leaves produced. Softwood trees generally bear cones and hardwood trees generally bear leaves.
Wood is important for the production of wine. Seasoned wood barrels, typically from oak, help ferment the wine.
The Holly Tree is the whitest wood that we know of. It grows in North America along the west coast and is often used for decorative purposes. The Gabon Ebony is considered the blackest wood. It is very expensive, slow growing, and endangered.
The softest and lightest wood in the world that we know of is the Balsa Wood. It’s found in South and Central America in the rainforests and is often used for model airplanes. The heaviest and hardest wood in the world that we know of is Snakewood. It’s also found in South and Central America and is often used for bowls, knife handles, and vases.
The Pink Ivory Wood is a very rare and highly desired exotic wood. It grow is Southern Africa and is valued at the same level of diamonds or emeralds.
Most paper is made from Pine, Eucalyptus, or Spruce trees. Wood fibers are extracted then made into a pulp. The pulp is then combined with water and placed into a paper making machine where it’s flattened, dried, and cut into sheets or rolls.
Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Teak woods are often used for floors, ceilings, and walls whereas Pine, Cedar, and Birch are more commonly used for furniture, doors, or framing.
Wood can withstand a lot of pressure with the ability to bend, which is why it’s used in basketball courts and bowling alleys.
Lumber and timber are two different things – lumber has been sawn down to specific dimensions typically reserved for residential construction. Timber is larger pieces of wood typically used for building, railroad ties, or bridges.
