From the Pros
Industry perspectives from the professional specifier.
A menacing ‘Imitator’ of American Hardwood
American Hardwood as a flooring material has yet another imitator to contend with – Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). The man-made plastic can definitely be made to imitate the look of hardwood, but here’s the reality, LVT lacks the substance and wholesome goodness that only...
Thermally Modified Hardwood in Spain
Under the auspices of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the new Kālida Sant Pau building, a care center for cancer patients in Barcelona, is showcasing the use of thermally modified Tulipwood in its outdoor pergola and trellised façade.Designed by architect...
How “tough” is Cross Laminated Timber?
Just ask the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory (FPL). Their researchers have been studying softwood Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) “from many angles, including fire performance, use in earthquake-prone regions, and the effects of moisture on CLT.In 2016,...
“Making red oak more red?”
American Red Oak is a dominant species in the eastern U.S. hardwood forests. Despite its name – which comes from the color of its leaves in the fall – its sapwood is white to light brown and its heartwood is a pinkish-reddish brown. Its grain is distinctive. It...
Just when you thought you’d seen it all …
There it is, a fresh twist on an old classic, and just the inspiration you needed to get your artistic juices flowing. We’re talking about the creative use of American hardwoods. Here’s a look at what Wendy Silverstein and her bevy of design/build pros have come up in...
Super Wood – Denser, Stronger & Fire-Proof?
The treatment process is called Densification – “chemically softening and compressing wood to remove the spaces between cell walls.” And when burned, the resulting charred, outside layer helps preserve the material’s internal strength. Denser, stronger and less likely...
A Red Oak Renaissance
There has never been a better time to buy American red oak. It’s plentiful and eminently affordable, and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) “is working with designers, makers and furniture students to highlight red oak’s versatility, aesthetics and technical...
American Hardwoods in the Bathroom
Design/Build professionals are always finding fresh ways to use American Hardwoods. Why not in the Bath? The experts tell us that when “properly installed and sealed against moisture, wood can give a bathroom a warmer, more textured look and feel.” Here’s a sampling...
American Hardwoods in “Down Under” Project
“Australian designers seem to have a unique affinity with the natural environment and an innate understanding of how best to bring nature closer to life and leisure.” An example of this is the Hungry Fox Café in Melbourne where, with the help of American Hardwoods,...
The Color(s) of 2019
Used to be that when it came to choosing the Color of the Year, color giant Pantone was the only game in town. But times, they are a changing. Major paint manufacturers are weighing in with their favorite hues for 2019. Take a look. Variety is indeed the spice of...