Super excited to receive these photos and message from our long-time customer, Craig Youngquist, of Craig Youngquist Construction. His attention to detail and superior craftsmanship are evident in every project he takes on. Please enjoy these photos!
“Hi Tom
Below are some photos of the project that you supplied siding, exterior trim, interior trim, and cedar for door replications. Some of the photos are not stellar but give you an idea of the scope of the job. The wainscot panels were actually recycled from the shiplap sheathing on the interior walls of the original structure. But all the rest of the fir was from you. I ended up buying a moulding machine to replicate the casings and various trim details. We saved a bunch of the original millwork but didn’t have enough to finish the main floor.
The photo with 2 doors shows the original with the transom above and the replication to the right. The stair skirt, newell, balusters, and railing are the original, but the frame and panel down the stairs and under are newly added. The new roof on the house is slate – which wasn’t original.
I appreciate your generosity and excellent supply sourcing.”
Environmental Benefits of Using Wood in Construction
GO GREEN……..USE WOOD
“One of the best ways to address climate change is to use more wood, not less. Every wood substitute – including steel, plastic, and cement – requires far
more energy to produce than lumber.”
– Dr. Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace.
Wood is the only 100% renewable resource in the manufacturing of building materials.
Wood is the only naturally recyclable and biodegradable building material.
Wood has the lowest environmental impact compared to other building products such as steel, concrete, tile, vinyl siding, fiber cement siding, and stucco.
Wood products require less embodied energy. This is the energy used in the extraction, production, and transportation of the resource.
Wood products require little to no fossil fuels (a non-renewable resource) to produce.
Wood products produce less air pollution.
Wood products produce less water pollution.
Wood products generate fewer greenhouse gases.
Wood reduces carbon emissions, while concrete and steel increase carbon emissions.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is considered a contributor to Global Warming – young and mature trees reduce CO2 from the atmosphere.
Wood products are better insulators in homes and buildings, which reduces the energy consumption in both heating and cooling, making it the most energy-efficient material.
Wood building materials are 400 times better at insulating than steel and 15 times better than concrete.
Wood products produce less solid waste – both in the manufacturing of the products and at construction sites. There is virtually no waste in manufacturing wood products.
Wood products generate fewer greenhouse gases. Wood reduces carbon emissions, while concrete and steel increase carbon emissions.
Wood products have the lowest ecological resource use index. This means that while trees are harvested, the effects are only short-term as reforestation follows. Other products have long-term effects as their resources are non-renewable, i.e., petroleum for plastic and ore used in steel and aluminum siding. Once these non-renewable resources are gone, they cannot be replaced. The trees themselves are produced naturally through solar energy.
Wood can be reused and recycled with very little additional energy. Concrete cannot be re-used in the same form but can be downcycled to aggregate with a lot of additional energy expended.
No other building product is more environmentally friendly than wood, as demonstrated in “ATHENA’s life cycle assessment” research and study. From the growing of the tree to the disposal of the wood products, wood has a minimal environmental footprint. Non-renewable products such as steel, aluminum, and concrete use up to 250% more fossil fuel energy from the production to disposal vs. wood.
To help with your peace of mind, we are happy to offer custom fire treating to our Western Red Cedar or Douglas Fir products through our partner, CHEMCO. CHEMCO was one of the early pioneers in fire retardant technologies and became the only producer of fire-resistant wood roofing allowed for sale in California. CHEMCO uses Thermex-FR, a safe and environmentally friendly fire treatment formula that renders wood resistant to fire.
Products treated using CHEMCO’s proprietary fire retardant system have passed strict fire and weathering tests and comply with all building codes. However, we recommend checking with your building department to ensure compliance with your local regulations. The effectiveness of this fire retardant is proven by an independent laboratory and quality-control testing and verified by real-world stories in which it was subjected to both structural and wild fire scenarios.
The clear Western Red Cedar was fire treated prior to installation on this stunning Malibu, CA home
The process of fire retarding is done by using a vacuum-pressure impregnation to remove moisture and air from the wood cells and replace it with Thermex-FR. Next, the wood is cured in a kiln to lock the fire retardant into the cells. This process significantly increases fire protection for residential and commercial buildings without sacrificing the natural beauty of the wood.
To sustain fire, you need three main ingredients ~ Fuel, Heat, and Oxygen. THERMEX-FR suppresses all three elements
1) Fuel: An intumescing foam is produced to protect the surface of the wood.
2) Heat: Intumescing foam insulates the wood, absorbing heat endothermically and surface temperature drops below what is required for combustion.
3) Oxygen: A non-combustible gas is generated to dilute the amount of oxygen in the air around the flame.
Q: What is the difference between “fire-resistant” and “fireproof”?
A: All materials are vulnerable to fire damage, so the term “fireproof” is technically incorrect for any product. Nevertheless, engineers and fire technicians have developed tests to compare the fire-resistant properties of different materials. Products treated with Thermex-FR have proven themselves consistently on all such tests.
Q: What makes fire-resistant wood treatment last?
A: The patented fire-resistant formula bonds to the interior structure of the wood during a vacuum-impregnated treatment process. The result is fire protection that lasts for the useful life of the wood product itself.
Q: Are fire-resistant products hazardous to the environment?
A: No. Fire-treated wood products are composed of all-natural elements, and they are not toxic to the environment.
Q: Will my fire retardant-treated wood products have to be re-treated?
A: No. Fire retardant products never need to be re-treated. The unique formula that is used during processing at the facility is thermally cured in dry kilns. Upon reaching the right temperature, the treatment is bonded to the wood and is no longer water-soluble.
Q: What are the typical applications for fire retardant treated lumber and plywood products?
A: Lumber and plywood that have been treated with fire retardant are intended for above-ground exterior use. These include exterior decks and balconies, stairways, covered walkways, siding, molding and trim, soffits and fascia, open-air roof systems, stables, scaffolding, and construction staging.
Q: What wood species and sizes are available to have fire treated?
A: Yes. These products meet the performance requirements of most local building codes. However, we suggest checking with your local agency to ensure compliance.
Q: Is there any reduction in strength compared to untreated wood?
A: Yes. The treating and drying processes may cause a slight reduction in strength that varies according to treatment, wood species, specific properties, and applications.
Q: Can these fire retardant products be used in ground contact?
A: Fire retardant treated Western Red Cedar and/or Douglas Fir is intended for exterior, above-ground uses only.
Q: Is it okay to cut wood that has been treated with fire retardant?
A: Yes. Cutting lengths, drilling holes, and light sanding are all permissible. It is not necessary to field-treat cut ends in order to maintain the flame spread rating.
Q: What types of fasteners should be used with fire-treated products?
A: Hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel hardware is recommended, as the FRX wood treatment could increase the corrosion of bare steel.
Q: Why should I put fire-resistant shakes on my roof when I live in a relatively wet climate?
A: No matter where you live, there always exists the danger of an errant firework or a flying ember from the burn pile of a neighboring home. When it comes to protecting your home, there is no such thing as playing too safe.
Care & Maintenance of Building Materials that have been Fire Treated
Fire-retardant lumber and plywood can be coated with a paint or stain, but caution should be taken in choosing the right product, as not all products will adhere to the unique finish. Shakes and shingles that have been treated with fire retardants should not have any additional coatings applied.
For warranty and other important information, including MSDS Sheets, please visit the Chemco website by clicking HERE
