There are few things more important than choosing the right flooring material for a home or business. Functionality and style literally start from the ground up. This is one of the first choices you’ll make in a remodel or new build, so make sure you’re choosing right.

Hardwood and vinyl flooring are two of the most popular options, so how do they measure up to each other? We’ll put these two materials head-to-head on categories like cost, maintenance, and sustainability to help you figure out which is right for you.

Hardwood Flooring: Pros and Cons

Hardwood flooring is more of an investment, but it has many advantages. Although installation can be more pricey, hardwood flooring is a hardy material that can be sanded down and refinished to correct damage or even change up its look.

If sourced responsibly, hardwood floors are also more eco-friendly. Lumber from properly managed forests fights against deforestation and supports local flora and fauna.

Vinyl Flooring: Pros and Cons

Vinyl flooring comes in an array of options, such as sheets or tiles that are made to look like wood, stone, tile, or almost any other material. It’s a less expensive option, making it an ideal choice for flooring on a budget.

However, vinyl flooring doesn’t last as long as hardwood flooring, and it isn’t environmentally friendly because it’s made from fossil fuels.

1. Design Aesthetic

Winner: Hardwood

Vinyl or hardwood floors can suit any style, mimicking any material, such as faux marble, if stone isn’t in your budget. However, if your taste changes later, your only option is to rip it all up and redo the floors.

Hardwood flooring comes in many different styles, depending on the type of lumber and stain used. For example, Hickory is a naturally dark lumber, but a similar look might be achieved with a dark stain on a lighter wood like Basswood.

Because it’s such a desirable material, it never goes out of style and may even increase your home’s value. However, the real reason hardwood wins in this category is because it’s much easier to achieve a different look by sanding down and restaining hardwood floors.

2. Cost of Materials

Winner: Vinyl

When you get a quote for flooring installation, vinyl flooring will almost always be less expensive. But keep in mind that you could pay more over time if there’s damage to repair. For example, if you have pets that scratch up the floor or if moisture gets between the vinyl panels, you might have to replace it much sooner than anticipated.

Although hardwood can cost more, hardwood flooring typically lasts much longer than vinyl options. Hardwood floors can last decades with a little TLC.

3. Maintenance

Winner: Tie

Both vinyl and hardwood floors are very easy to clean. They can be swept, vacuumed, and wiped down with the proper cleaning agents. For vinyl floors, look for a cleaner that won’t scratch the surface or cause lifting along the panels. Hardwood floors can be cleaned with any floor cleaner marked safe for use on wood.

Although vinyl flooring needs no additional maintenance beyond cleaning, there’s also nothing to do to fix it if damage occurs. Hardwood is slightly higher maintenance because it needs to be resealed every so often. However, minor water damage or scratches in hardwood can be easily repaired, which is why we’re calling this one a tie.

4. Recyclability and Biodegradability

Winner: Hardwood

Hardwood is the clear winner when it comes to sustainability. Vinyl, like all plastics, is made from fossil fuels. Although some plastics are recyclable, vinyl flooring usually isn’t, so it doesn’t get a second life after it’s removed from the floor. It’s also not biodegradable.

Hardwood flooring from ethically harvested lumber is much more sustainable. Active forest management ensures a steady growth of new trees as mature trees are processed for lumber. And unlike vinyl flooring, hardwood flooring can be recycled and repurposed after it’s removed from a home. Even if the hardwood can’t be repurposed, it’s a biodegradable material, so it will break down instead of sitting in a landfill for hundreds of years.

5. Carbon Footprint

Winner: Hardwood

Hardwood flooring has a much smaller carbon footprint than vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring production releases a large amount of carbon and other pollutants into the atmosphere.

Forests are a key component of the carbon sequestration process. This means that trees capture and store carbon from the air, reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That carbon stays in the wood throughout its lifespan, so using sustainable hardwood flooring can have a positive impact on the environment.

6. Production Impacts

Winner: Hardwood

The production of hardwood puts less strain on the environment and natural resources compared to vinyl. Transforming fossil fuels to vinyl is a very energy-intensive process and each step can release harmful byproducts and chemicals into the air and water supply.

Processing wood into lumber uses far less energy and fewer chemicals. Some hardwood might be chemically treated to kill invasive species like the Emerald Ash Borer, but otherwise, processing trees is simple.

You can also look for FSC®-certified options, which are strictly regulated to meet ethical and sustainable production guidelines:

• Black Cherry
• Hard Maple
• Northern Red Oak
• Northern White Ash
• Red Maple
• White Oak

7. Air Quality & Chemical Emissions

Winner: Hardwood

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. There are some less harmful VOCs you probably have around the house already, like hairspray or kitchen cleaner. However, some VOCs are much more harmful.

Many plastics, like vinyl, can off-gas harmful VOCs for years, reducing air quality in a home and causing issues for children, older adults, and immunocompromised people. Hardwood floors can off-gas VOCs after they’re re-sealed, but these dissipate much faster, so there isn’t as much exposure compared to vinyl flooring.

Choose Hardwood Flooring for Life

Whether you’re remodeling a home or rebranding a small business, new floors can completely change the feeling of a space. Instead of cutting corners with vinyl, choose hardwood flooring that lasts a lifetime, is always in fashion, and is even good for the environment.

At Gutchess Lumber Inc., Co., we’re dedicated to ethical lumber manufacturing at the highest standard. Choose from our FSC®-certified hardwood for a product you can trust to last for years to come.

FAQs

Is hardwood more sustainable than vinyl?

Yes, hardwood is a more sustainable material than vinyl because it’s made from trees, which are a renewable resource. Vinyl is made from non-renewable fossil fuels.

Does vinyl flooring affect indoor air quality?

Yes, vinyl flooring can affect indoor air quality because it can release VOCs that are damaging to breathe.

What happens to flooring at the end of its life?

At the end of its life, flooring can be recycled, reused, or thrown out, depending on the material. Hardwood flooring is usually able to be reused or recycled, and if it must be thrown out, it’s biodegradable. Vinyl flooring, however, can usually only be thrown out, and it doesn’t break down like natural materials can.

There are endless potential projects where hardwood is the superior material choice for its beauty, workability, and durability. But for eco-conscious consumers, they might have reservations, imagining the pages of The Lorax where trees are chopped without care.

Luckily, things have changed since Dr. Suess’s time. Now, we have someone else to speak for the trees — the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and ethical lumber manufacturers like Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc.

With our FSC®-certified hardwood, you can bring any dream project to life knowing it doesn’t come at an environmental or human toll. We’ll dive deep into what FSC® certification means and how Gutchess Lumber’s environmental and sustainability policies set us apart in the lumber industry.

What Is FSC® Certification?

FSC® certification is a certificate that forests or lumber-based products can earn if they meet stringent ethical, environmental, and social standards.

The FSC® has been dedicated to protecting the world’s forests since 1994, focusing on improving sustainability and human impact throughout the supply chain. Its mission is to protect forests and work with the lumber industry, instead of against it.

To earn FSC® certification, a forest must:

1. Submit an application to a third-party FSC®-accredited certification body.
2. Complete an assessment with the FSC®-accredited certification body.
3. Complete the FSC® Check questionnaire.
4. Sign the FSC® Trademark License Agreement.
5. Once approved, complete annual audits through the FSC®-accredited certification body.

It might seem odd that inspections and certifications are completed through a third-party body. But this process encourages consistency as these third-party certification bodies can dedicate more time to vet potential forests.

FSC® Chain of Custody Certification

The FSC® chain of custody certification encourages manufacturers and producers to maintain a transparent, ethical, and traceable supply chain. To earn this certification, manufacturers must prove:

• Forest-based materials used in at least part of the production must be FSC®-certified.
• FSC®-certified material must be identified and tracked throughout the supply chain.
• All involved parties must be able to produce all documents and records relating to FSC®-certified product production, purchase, and sales.
• There must be no child or forced labor at any point in the supply chain.
• There must be no employment discrimination.
• Certificate holders must protect their workers’ freedom of association and right to collective bargaining.

Why Choose FSC®-Certified Hardwood

When lumber is harvested, processed, and manufactured from an FSC®-certified forest, there are more checkpoints throughout the supply chain to ensure consumers receive a superior product.

Gutchess Lumber’s FSC®-certified products include:

• Black Cherry
• Hard Maple
• Northern Red Oak
• Northern White Ash
• Red Maple
• White Oak

Sustainability Beyond FSC® Certification: Our Commitment

As a family- and employee-owned organization, we’re proud to use practices that make lumber manufacturing a more ethical industry. See how our values set Gutchess Lumber apart:

How FSC® Certification Benefits You

Choosing lumber from FSC®-certified forests doesn’t just promote environmental and social responsibility. It’s just one way to ensure your lumber manufacturer is invested in their product, for higher quality lumber and happier customers.

Choose transparency and be confident in a better product, whether sourcing for green building, urban infrastructure, or high-quality flooring. The team at Gutchess is with you every step of the way, speaking for the trees without sacrificing your bottom line.

FAQs

How does Gutchess Lumber ensure responsible sourcing?

Gutchess Lumber offers FSC®-certified products and only sources from sustainably- and actively-managed forests to ensure we don’t become part of the problem in the lumber industry.

Why is FSC® certification important for sustainability?

FSC® certification is important because it upholds a high standard, evaluated by accredited third-party bodies. This means certified manufacturers like Gutchess are held to a consistent, high standard. They are also held accountable to maintain those sustainable practices and keep their certification.

Is FSC®-certified wood higher quality?

Although FSC® certification doesn’t specifically cover product quality, it supports well-managed supply chains that often produce higher-quality products.

Is FSC®-certified wood more expensive?

In some cases, FSC®-certified wood might be more expensive. But typically, other factors affect the price more, such as supply, demand, seasonal or environmental factors, and mill capacity.

You may have noticed Ash prices creeping up if you’re a manufacturer working with hardwood in the United States and beyond. Although we wish this was because of market demand and trends, the real reason is bleak — Ash tree populations are in steep decline.

Consider a more sustainable Ash wood replacement to keep your business supplied with the right materials in the face of this shortage. Read on to learn more about what’s happening to Ash trees and which species will be the most effective alternatives for manufacturers.

Is Ash wood disappearing?

Unfortunately, North American Ash tree populations are dwindling. We’ll go into greater detail below about why you might have noticed an Ash wood shortage. Right now, five species of Ash trees are critically endangered, with more species at risk.

Emerald Ash Borer Impacts

There’s a small beetle on the scene causing huge problems for Ash trees called the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). These invasive beetles are native to Asia, and it’s thought they were brought over in packaging and manufactured goods. In North America, the EAB has killed hundreds of millions of Ash trees.

Since their initial discovery in 2002, the EAB has spread throughout North America, driving Ash tree extinction. The EAB’s life cycle centers around the Ash tree, although the larval stage is most harmful to native Ash populations in North America:

1. A mature EAB lays eggs in Ash tree bark.
2. About three weeks later, the eggs hatch.
3. The larvae eat their way into the Ash tree, creating distinct swirling patterns called galleries in the wood just beneath the bark.
4. After one to two years of eating beneath the bark, the larvae enter the sapwood to create a pupal chamber.
5. The larvae turn into pupae and remain in the chamber throughout winter.
6. In the spring, the pupae transform into mature EABs, exiting the tree and leaving a “D” shaped hole in the bark.
7. The mature EAB eat Ash leaves, mate, and begin the cycle again.

Although mature Emerald Ash Borers eat Ash leaves, the real damage happens during the larval stage. Each mature female lays hundreds of eggs, so the sheer number of larvae devastates the tree bark. This damage leaves the tree vulnerable to disease and the natural elements, eventually killing the tree.

How To Help Ash Populations Recover

Some things need to change to slow the decline of Ash tree populations. Looking for products made with other selectively harvested trees is one way manufacturers and consumers can do their part.

Other recommended actions include:

• Never transport firewood or untreated Ash more than 50 miles from where it was purchased
• Hire a professional to safely remove infected trees
• Report any suspected infestations to the USDA

Ash Alternatives

Ash lumber and goods have become very expensive and risky to manufacture because of this ongoing shortage. This is leading lumber buyers and manufacturers of wooden goods to see suitable Ash wood alternatives, such as Red Oak and Hard Maple.

Ash Substitute for Construction: Red Oak Lumber

If you’re looking for an Ash wood replacement for construction, cabinetry, or other woodworking endeavors, then Red Oak is a solid choice. It works well as an Ash replacement for stained or thermally-modified projects because its distinct and definitive grain gives it a very similar look to Ash lumber.

Red Oak has a Janka Hardness rating of 1290, which means it’s that sweet spot that makes it workable enough for beautiful projects and dense enough to hold up with use.

Wondering where to buy Red Oak lumber? Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. has you covered with our reliable Northern Red Oak lumber, always sourced responsibly, always top quality.

Ash Substitute for Flooring: Hard Maple Lumber

Hard Maple is a fantastic alternative to Ash for hardwood flooring. It has a 1450 Janka Hardness rating, so it will hold up even better than Ash or another alternative like Red Oak to dents or scratches. It’s suitable for projects where you need lumber that looks like Ash before staining because Hard Maple and Ash have very similar coloring.

Source your Hard Maple lumber from providers with responsible forest management practices to support ethical forestry as you find the perfect Ash lumber replacement. Gutchess’s Hard Maple lumber is a fantastic replacement for Ash because our forests have slower growth seasons. Because of this, our Hard Maple trees have tighter growth rings, which translates to higher quality and better coloring than other Ash tree replacements.

Support Native Forests and Source Ash Alternatives With Gutchess

It’s hard to see bare and dead trees where sprawling Ash populations used to thrive. Choose Ash alternatives or work with sustainably managed Ash suppliers in manufacturing to support these trees in crisis.

Gutchess Lumber works closely with forestry experts to support healthy tree populations and spread knowledge about how we use their expertise to play a positive role in the carbon cycle. Find a Gutchess Sales Rep for expert guidance on which Ash replacement would be best for your manufacturing business.

FAQ

Can dead Ash trees be used for lumber?

Yes, dead Ash trees can be used for lumber but it must be done carefully to ensure it doesn’t spread the Emerald Ash Borer. The lumber must be properly heat-treated to kill eggs and larvae that could be in the bark.

However, if the tree was harvested from a quarantine area, it shouldn’t be transported, even if properly treated.

Why is Ash wood so expensive?

Ash wood is getting more expensive because the population has steeply declined since 2002 when the Emerald Ash Borer was brought to North America.

Why are Ash trees being removed?

If you notice local Ash trees being removed, they’re probably infected with the Emerald Ash Borer. This invasive beetle has rendered several Ash species critically endangered in North America.

At Gutchess Lumber, we’re proud to have a team of dedicated employee-owners who have been with us for over 20 years. These seasoned hardwood lumber professionals are more than just employees; they’re part of our family.

Our commitment to providing the highest quality hardwood is deeply rooted in our history since our founding in 1904. By employing experienced sawmill professionals and utilizing state-of-the-art technology, we ensure that every board of hardwood we produce meets the highest standards.

Meet the Faces Behind the Finest Hardwood

Yellow Birch is a great choice when you’re looking for the perfect hardwood for your next project. It is known for its versatility, durability, and natural beauty, which makes it a popular choice for woodworkers and builders who build long-lasting products. Let’s explore its characteristics and why Yellow Birch is a great option for high-quality hardwood projects.

Is Yellow Birch a Good Hardwood?

Yellow Birch hardwood has a Janka hardness rating of 1,260 lbf. It can withstand daily wear and tear, which makes it top material to use for products that will last a lifetime. Yellow Birch machines quickly and works well when carried for. It dries slowly with little degradation, but it has a moderately high shrinkage, so there is a chance it could move in performance. Also, Yellow Birch hardwood takes stains and polishes very well. Here’s a comparison of oiled versus not oiled Yellow Birch lumber.

Not Oiled:

Oiled:

What are the Characteristics of a Yellow Birch Tree?

The wood of yellow birch has a distinct difference between the sap, which is white, and the heartwood, which tends to be a light reddish-brown, with nearly white sapwood. There is no color distinction between annual growth rings, but it gives a uniform appearance. The grain is generally straight or slightly wavy, with a fine, even texture.

What is Yellow Birch Wood used for?

Yellow Birch is heavy, hard, strong, versatile, and highly valued in woodworking. Its smooth texture and durability make it ideal material for a lot of products like:

• Furniture: Yellow Birch adds an elegant touch and produces high-quality, long-lasting pieces.

• Cabinetry: A popular option that gives any cabinet beauty and functionality. The natural look of Yellow Birch pairs great with simple finishes and acts neutral pairing for you to add color through your backsplash or countertops.

• Flooring: Yellow Birch hardwood flooring is durable and resistant to scratches, perfect for high-traffic areas like household and corporate buildings. It’s one the most popular choices for homeowners installing new hardwood floors.

• Millwork: Used for detailed and decorative woodwork like small decor or crown moldings.

According to USDA NRCS, the sap of yellow birch can be tapped for use as edible syrup. Tea is sometimes made from the twigs and/or inner bark. Researchers at Cornell University conducted a sap study on Birch syrup and its sample tasted like a mix of fruity-tart and complex caramelized sugar flavors reminiscent of raspberries, tart-cherry juice, apple-butter and molasses.

At Gutchess Lumber, we offer premium-quality, sustainable Yellow Birch hardwood sourced within a 100-mile radius (62 km) of our manufacturing facilities in New York and Pennsylvania. We are committed to providing the best-of-the-best hardwood to bring your products to life.

Hardwood trees play a significant role in the American landscape, forestry, environment, and the economy. These trees are used as materials for a wide variety of products, from the furniture we put into our homes and buildings to the floors we walk on. They also help minimize America’s carbon footprint when they are used to make hardwood products.

Hundreds of hardwood trees grow in different regions in the United States, each with unique characteristics and uses. Some of North America’s most common hardwood tree species are oaks, maple, hickory, birch, beech, ash, poplar, and cherry.

What Types of Trees are Hardwood Trees?

Most hardwood trees are deciduous and shed their leaves annually. Hardwoods have broad leaves from coniferous trees%20with%20true%20cones) with needles and cones. These trees grow slowly and have tighter grain and higher density, making them ideal for applications requiring strength and durability.

Characteristics of Hardwood Trees

1. Density and Hardness:

• Density: Hardwoods are heavy and strong because their fibers are closely packed.
• Hardness: Hardwood trees are measured by the Janka Hardness Test, which tests their durability and strength.

2. Grain Patterns:

• Hardwood trees have distinct grain patterns that range from straight to wavy. This variety contributes to the aesthetic appeal of hardwood products in furniture, flooring, and decor.

3. Durability and Strength:

• The high density and hardness of hardwood trees are a testament to their long-lasting performance, making them suitable for high-use products.

The Five Most Common Hardwood Trees in the US

North America’s forests grow hundreds of varieties of hardwood in various temperate climates, including the top five most common species: oak, ash, cherry, maple, and poplar.

1. Oak (Red and White Oak)

Red oak and white oak hardwood trees are the most common hardwood trees in the US. Red oak trees grow fast and have bigger pores, giving the hardwood an open grain and a red tone. White oak trees grow slower and have a finer grain, giving a smoother finish and texture. These trees live a long time, sometimes up to hundreds of years.

Uses: Oak wood is known for its versatility and is used as a top material to make:

• Furniture: The strength and beauty of red or white oak make it a popular choice for durable and long-lasting furniture.
• Flooring: Oak’s hardness and resistance to wear and tear make it ideal for high-traffic areas.
• Cabinetry: The distinctive grain characteristics and durability make it a top material for cabinets and kitchens.
• Barrels: Oak is also used in wine and whiskey barrels and can add flavor and texture.

 

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Special Characteristics:

• Red Oak: Our Red Oak at Gutchess Lumber comes from preferred areas of prime timberland within about a 100-mile radius (62 km) of our manufacturing facilities in New York and Pennsylvania. Red Oak is strong, durable, easy to work with, and consistent in color and texture.
• White Oak: Gutchess Lumber White Oak has a light brown heartwood and slightly paler sapwood. It is strong, tough, dense, tight-grained, durable, and beautiful. Our White Oak hardwood is harvested from prime timberland in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Kiln-dried White Oak is rated as one of the best hardwoods for machining and steam bending.

2. Ash

White Ash grows to 80 feet with a crown that spreads over 50 feet wide. Its lumber turns well and retains such strength that it has been the hardwood choice for many high-end, long-lasting products.

Uses:

• Furniture: Ash is used to make furniture, tool handles, guitar bodies, and lobster traps.
• Flooring: Ash’s wear-and-tear resilience, bright white sapwood, light tan heartwood, and uniform appearance make it a popular choice for flooring in households and buildings.
• Cabinetry: Ash is used for high-quality cabinetry.
• Sports Equipment: It has been the hardwood of choice for making equipment like baseball bats and longbows.

Special Characteristics:

• Smooth Grain: White Ash hardwood features a smooth, consistent grain that takes stain and finishes well.
• Light Color: The wood is typically light in color, ranging from pale yellow to light brown, which makes it versatile to fit different interior designs.

3. Cherry

Black Cherry can grow between 25 feet and 110 feet in height, but the more common height range is between 50 feet and 60 feet. Black Cherry hardwood is malleable, and the wide distribution of the seeds of its fruit by birds makes it abundant in North America.

Uses: Black Cherry wood is used and known for its elegance and versatility in high-quality applications like:

• Furniture: Its rich color and smooth grain make it a great choice for crafting high-end furniture.
• Cabinetry: Black cherry hardwood’s durability and aesthetic are popular for custom cabinetry.

Special Characteristics:

Black Cherry wood features a fine, straight grain with small to medium pores arranged randomly. Its wood growth rings are distinct, and the wood ranges in color from light pink-brown to medium reddish-brown.

 

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4. Maple (Soft and Hard Maple)

Hard and Soft Maple hardwood trees are known for their broad leaves and vibrant fall colors. Soft Maple grows between 30 feet to 100 feet in height in its native area of the Eastern United States and Canada. Hard Maple hardwood species grow from 50 to 80 feet and are abundant throughout the Northeastern United States and Northeastern Canada.

Uses:

• Soft Maple: Used for less formal furniture, cabinetry, and millwork due to its workability and lower cost.
• Hard Maple: Used for high-end furniture, flooring, and musical instruments because of its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It is also used for gym and basketball courts, bowling alleys, bowling pins, rolling pins, and other turnings, skateboard decks, baseball bats, billiard cues, cutting blocks, and a variety of musical instruments.

Special Characteristics:

• Soft Maple: Soft Maple has a similar appearance to Hard Maple. Its close-grained sapwood is creamy white, and its heartwood is reddish-brown. The grain of soft Maple Hardwood is often dotted with flecks. Figured grain is less common but highly prized for certain product applications. Gutchess’ Soft Maple lumber is 100% soft-leaf maple.
• Hard Maple: Hard Maple wood features a fine, even-textured grain that can be straight or wavy. Its color ranges from white to cream to reddish or golden-hued.

 

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5. Poplar

Poplar lumber grows between 130 feet and 160 feet tall and has a trunk diameter of 6 feet to 8 feet. It is very low-density and softer, with a Janka Hardness rating of 540 lbf.

Uses:

• Furniture: Poplar wood is used to make inexpensive furniture and cabinetry.
• Plywood: Its lightweight and workability make it a common choice for plywood.
• Millwork: Poplar is used for moldings, trims, and other decorative millwork because of its smooth surface.

Special Characteristics:

Poplar is a light, soft hardwood with a white or light green sapwood cast. Its wood color features a light cream-to-yellow-brown heartwood and pale yellow-to-white sapwood, along with a straight, uniform grain. It is generally free of dark mineral streaks found in southern species.

Gutchess Lumber Poplar lumber is harvested from prime timberland in the northern Appalachian region of Pennsylvania. Poplar hardwood machines easily and takes paints and stains well.

At Gutchess Lumber, we recognize the five most common hardwood trees in the United States: oak, ash, cherry, maple, and poplar. Whether you’re building furniture, flooring, decor, or any hardwood product, these hardwoods offer the strength, durability, and beauty you need to create long-lasting, timeless products.

We offer 11 species of northern hardwoods, where each hardwood species is native to the northeast United States. We oversee tens of thousands of acres of prime timberland and seven facilities across New York and Pennsylvania to produce Gutchess Lumber. Our products come from the best hardwood forests and timberlands in the northeast, several of which we have owned and managed for generations.

Hardwood plays a bigger role in sports than one would think. It is a versatile material commonly used for sporting equipment and playing surfaces because it’s strong, durable, easy to repair, and can last a long time. Let’s explore which sports use hardwood in their daily practices for playing or training.

What’s the Best Wood for Sports Equipment?

Maple and Ash hardwood are top choices of natural materials for making many types of sporting equipment. These hardwoods are flexible, durable, and have been used to make sports equipment for hundreds of years. Maple has a dense grain structure, providing strength and durability. Ash is lighter, flexible hardwood that balances strength and ease of use.

What Sports Use Wooden Equipment?

Many sports, such as baseball, cricket, hockey, table tennis, golf, field hockey, bowling, billiards, and lacrosse, use wooden equipment in their training and daily practices.

On Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run, he broke an MLB record. One of the most exciting aspects of this feat was the bat he swung. Learn about the hardwoods to make a bat that set several MLB records: https://www.gutchess.com/a-history-of-the-hardwood-bat…/

Is Real Wood still Used in Sporting Equipment Today?

Wood has traditionally been used to make sports equipment and playing surfaces. While some sports have altered their equipment to synthetic materials, wood remains well-established or even the material of choice in many others. In the 2024 Summer Olympics, wooden equipment can still be seen in daily sports practices and training like rowing, canoe slalom, canoe sprint, hockey, handball, archery, sailing, and table tennis. These sports still rely on the unique properties of wood to enhance performance and maintain traditional aesthetics.

What Wood is Used for Athletic Flooring?

Maple is almost always used in gyms and sports floors, like basketball courts. According to the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA), maple is so popular in the sports flooring industry that MFMA defines the standards for sports floor installation and maintenance. Maple has a Janka hardness rating of around 1450, and it is highly shock-resistant, attractive, and available.

What Sports are Played on Hardwood Floors?

Hardwood has been the traditional flooring material for basketball, volleyball, indoor field hockey, gymnastics, squash and futsal. The smooth surface of hardwood floors ensures consistent ball bounce and player movement, important for competitive games.

The Accor Arena will host the basketball, artistic gymnastics and trampoline events during the Olympics and the wheelchair basketball during the Paralympics during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Key Performance Features of Hardwood Sports Floors

Hardwood sports floors absorb shock and provide durability and traction. These features reduce the risk of injury for athletes and improve their performance by providing a stable, durable surface. The natural beauty of hardwood also adds to the aesthetic appeal of sports facilities and arenas, making it a popular choice for professional and recreational athletic spaces.

Where does the Wood Come from that is used in Sports?

The hardwood used for sports equipment and flooring comes from hardwood forests, like the forests we responsibly manage at Gutchess Lumber. Our commitment to supplying premium hardwood means that athletes can rely on our materials in their equipment and arenas to enhance and support their performance, training, and careers.

As the 2024 Summer Olympics kick off, look out for hardwood products in equipment and sport flooring during each event. You will be surprised by how much hardwood you will find. Gutchess Lumber supports the sports industry by providing premium hardwood for equipment and flooring.

When building your home, you can choose from thousands of flooring options, and it can get overwhelming. The factors to consider are aesthetics, durability, health, environmental impact, and future resale value. Carpet and rugs are popular and can be responsibly purchased and installed, but they are not the most eco-friendly flooring options. It is important to choose a sustainable flooring material that will last a lifetime, offer the highest resale value, and provide health benefits for your family.

There are sustainable flooring options, like hardwood, that you can choose to make an eco-conscious choice when building your home!

What are the Types of Flooring?

When choosing flooring, it’s important to consider each material’s environmental impact. Many popular flooring alternatives are not environmentally friendly.

• Carpet: Are typically made from synthetic fibers and can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are difficult to recycle. Dirt, allergens, and dust get trapped in carpets, and it’s very hard to get a good deep clean.
• Vinyl: Produces significant environmental pollutants during its manufacturing and is not biodegradable. Also, vinyl off-gases contain phthalate chemicals that can migrate into your home’s dust and produce toxic chemicals when burned
• Laminate: is the most wood-like in its appearance, but it can contain plastics and other non-renewable resources that contribute to landfill waste. It’s not moisture-proof, hard to repair, or noise-proof.

What Flooring Material has the Highest Resale Value?

Hardwood is one specific flooring material that has consistently increased resale value over the decades. According to USA TODAY, hardwood flooring professionals believe that using hardwood flooring in your home can increase its resale value by 2+ times. Homebuyers are willing to pay a premium for hardwood because it is durable, looks timeless, can be refinished multiple times, is easy to clean, and is a sustainable choice that will last a lifetime.

What Flooring Materials are the Best for Kids?

For families with children, the type of flooring used in your home is important for health benefits. Babies and toddlers spend a lot of time on the floor, crawling and playing, coming inside and outside, and they often put their hands and toys in their mouths.

Hardwood flooring is the preferred choice for families with little children due to its:

• Cleanliness: Hardwood is very easy to clean and considered hypoallergenic.
• Sustainability: Hardwood is durable, lasts a lifetime, and has a smaller ecological footprint than other alternative flooring options. When hardwood is manufactured, the only chemical used is a binding resin with strict OSHA and EPA regulations. These regulations ensure hardwood floors emit fewer chemical toxins into the air.
• Health: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirms that homes with hardwood floors have better indoor air quality than homes with other types of alternative flooring.

Real American Hardwood stated that real hard hardwood floors, cabinets, and furniture directly affect your mood, stress levels, and overall mental health.

Indoor environments have a direct affect on your mood, stress levels, and overall health. Research shows that nature and wood products can provide a mental boost. That’s why many homeowners bring nature indoors with #RealAmericanHardwood cabinets, millwork, furniture, and floors. pic.twitter.com/Pr3Jn8NB9I

— Real American Hardwood (@RealAmericanHwd) June 28, 2024

What are Sustainable Flooring Materials?

There are sustainable, eco-friendly flooring options that can reduce indoor pollution and prevent potential health issues.

Solid Hardwood Floors:

FSC-certified hardwood is the most sustainable flooring option for your home. Many hardwood types come from FSC-certified forests. These forests are responsibly managed, where trees naturally regenerate, biodiversity is conserved, and air and water quality are preserved. Hardwood floors are durable, eco-friendly, and last a lifetime.

What is the most Eco-Friendly Flooring?

Hardwood is the most environmentally friendly flooring choice. By choosing Gutchess Lumber’s hardwood for your home, you can ensure lumber comes from sustainably managed forests. We have 11 hardwood species to choose from, and they are native to the northeast United States. We can control the process from harvest to order fulfillment while keeping our operations sustainable by only harvesting within 150 miles of our seven New York and Pennsylvania locations.

By using hardwood flooring, you can help to mitigate climate change. Scientists at Yale forecasted unhealthy forest composition changes caused by insects and diseases over the next 100 years, which active forest management can help to reduce.

What makes Flooring Sustainable?

Important factors to think about that make flooring sustainable when you are choosing your flooring for your home are:

• Material Type: Use renewable or recycled materials, like hardwood, to benefit the environment.
• Manufacturing Process: Do your research and make sure the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly and reduces emissions and waste.
• Longevity of the Material: Materials like hardwood and tile are durable and sustainable and do not require frequent replacement or repair.

If you’re asking yourself, ‘Which flooring material should I choose for my home?’ if you are a homeowner, you should consider hardwood, an eco-friendly and sustainable option. By choosing hardwood, you are taking a step towards a greener future. Hardwood is the most sustainable option, and it can provide a beautiful, long-lasting floor while contributing positively to the environment and your family’s health.

Our team of foresters uses a process called selective harvesting to promote natural forest regeneration, which ultimately has a positive impact on climate change. As trees mature, they slowly absorb less carbon dioxide. Selective harvesting removes mature trees that have reached their peak carbon storage capacity. We use this process to strategically remove mature trees, creating space and resources for younger trees to grow and be able to continue to absorb carbon dioxide at a faster rate.

Carbon Absorption:

As trees mature, they soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their wood. When trees soak up carbon dioxide, they help balance the carbon levels in the atmosphere and mitigate climate change. Using selective harvesting to remove mature trees, the younger trees can continue to absorb carbon dioxide and store it as they grow, generating a healthy forest.

Promoting Growth:

Selectively harvesting mature trees allows sunlight to get to the forest floor, allowing more trees to grow. This process helps promote the growth of the next generation of trees that are ready to absorb carbon at a quicker rate than mature trees. When we responsibly harvest hardwood trees, natural regeneration occurs.

Carbon Lock-In:

Mature trees release stored carbon over time, but when harvested, their carbon remains locked in the hardwood products we produce instead of being released back into the atmosphere. This results in the carbon staying sequestered for long periods of time, helping mitigate climate change by taking the carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it.

Manufacturing with Carbon:

Hardwood products store carbon dioxide the tree captured throughout its life. This carbon remains locked away for decades within the furniture, flooring, and other beautiful creations crafted from our sustainable and natural building materials.

At Gutchess, we understand the benefits of selectively harvesting mature trees and utilize this process daily to create long-lasting hardwood products, that contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.

In a world where aesthetics are the most important element of a space, people often find themselves drawn to hardwood products despite their price tags.

The process of manufacturing hardwood is labor-intensive, especially if it is done the right way.

Let’s dive into hardwood products and why they are worth every dollar.

Factors that Affect the Price of Hardwood

Hardwood products are more expensive than alternatives for several reasons.

Wood Species

Hardwood species have different characteristics, availability, demand, and quality. For example, if a hardwood species is seen in a celebrity house and is aesthetically pleasing, it can cause a cultural trend, which impacts demand, availability, and price.

Grade and Quality

All industries have regulations and standards that are in place to set the bar for specifications and procedures for materials, products, methods, and services that we rely on every day, which are consistent and reliable. The National Hardwood Lumber Association created hardwood regulations to ensure hardwood lumber is uniform during production.

Each board of hardwood manufactured at Gutchess Lumber is inspected a minimum of four times by trained graders following NHLA grading guidelines, ensuring that we are producing the highest-quality hardwood possible.

Market Demand and Supply

Fluctuations in hardwood demand can influence prices. Shortages or surpluses of hardwood species can also affect market prices and availability. When the need for wood materials and products exceeds the supply, the cost will rise. A delicate balance between supply and demand directly influences hardwood prices.

Demand is heavily influenced by construction activity.

Transportation and Import Costs

Transporting hardwoods to other markets involves various expenses, such as shipping, handling, and import duties. Some hardwood species are only found in specific regions around the world, which will also increase the price of the final product.

Gutchess Lumber has exported its real American hardwood products worldwide for 100 years, and we know every aspect of shipping.

Labor Costs

Skilled laborers are required to manage forests, harvest timber, transport logs, and manufacture, dry, and ship hardwood products. Hardwood is a natural material, so it is more difficult to process. The labor and skills needed to process hardwood and the need for heavy machinery contribute to its high costs.

At Gutchess, our products come from well-managed forests and timberlands in the northeast, several of which we have owned and managed ourselves for generations. We employ a team of over 40 foresters who have a combined experience of 250 years. Costs come with experience, and the team needed to ensure our hardwood is responsible and sustainable. A cost we believe is one hundred percent worth it. We hope you do, too.

Our process starts with the boards being sawn in our modern band mills, dried in our state-of-the-art kilns, and inspected by highly skilled and well-trained lumber inspectors at least four times, green and dry, to ensure accurate grade and tally, consistent quality, and maximum yield. This process requires skilled workers with extensive knowledge of hardwood and sawmills.

Seasonality and Weather Conditions

Weather and environmental conditions can impact tree growth and harvesting, which directly influences the availability and price of hardwood. Unpredictable natural events, such as wildfires, droughts, and pest infestations, can damage forests and result in a scarce supply that increases prices.

FUN FACT: The emerald ash borer (EAB) is slowly causing the Ash hardwood species to die out. This invasive beetle has killed nearly 100% of ash trees infested with EAB. Specialists predict that the EAB will cause the Ash hardwood species to become extinct. The Ash species is commonly used for baseball bats, flooring, furniture, lumber, and pallet manufacture.

A region’s climate directly relates to the health and productivity of its hardwood production. Regions with stable conditions and temperatures, a healthy amount of precipitation, and lots of sunlight are more suitable for tree growth, which is why the Northeastern region of the United States is the ideal region for souring hardwood that goes into making products. When predictable climates occur, the manufacturing process of hardwood can become more efficient.

Since 1904, Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. has produced the finest quality northern hardwood lumber through our vertically integrated manufacturing facilities across New York and Pennsylvania. Each of our hardwood species is native to the northeast United States. This means we can control the process from harvest to order fulfillment while keeping our operations sustainable by only harvesting within 150 miles of each of our 7 locations.

The Most Common Hardwood

The most common hardwood varies by region, but globally Oak is most common hardwood. The American Hardwood Information Center found that 52% of American Hardwoods are oak, growing mostly in New England to Mississippi. American hardwoods typically grow in the Eastern part of the country due to soil types and nutrients, moisture, earth, and sunlight. American hardwood forests are responsible for providing hardwood for products like cabinets, flooring, millwork, and furniture. Red and White Oak are commonly used for these products and are the most abundant in the United States.

At Gutchess Lumber, we specialize in sourcing Northern Red Oak from forests within a 100-mile radius of our New York and Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities. Unlike southern Red Oak, which commonly has discoloration and other issues, our true Northern Red Oak offers a consistent color profile and grain that rivals White Oak.

 

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How to Find Your Perfect Hardwood

Using hardwood offers beauty, durability, and value.

Research: Research different types of hardwoods and their characteristics. Understand the pros and cons of each type, what they are used for typically, and their sustainability and durability.

Visit Suppliers: Visit local sawmills, woodworking stores, or specialty suppliers to see and feel the hardwood in person. Each hardwood species has its own unique feel and look, so you will get a sense of its appearance and quality.

Consult Experts: Talk to woodworkers, carpenters, architects, or hardwood sales representatives in your area who can offer advice based on their experience and knowledge. They will also know what wood is most affordable in your region and which will work best for the product you want to create or buy.

Testing the Product: If it is available, try to purchase a small sample of the hardwood you are looking at and test for workability, finishing, and appearance for your specific needs.

Evaluate Options: Compare the hardwoods based on your research and tests, budget, and consider all the factors like durability, aesthetics, and sustainability before creating your product.

The type of hardwood will depend on what product you are creating. William Walker, a woodworker, made recommendations on what woods are best based on products and projects.

The Value of Hardwood and Why it’s Worth It

Hardwood is a valuable material that is durable, timeless, adaptable, and sustainable, making it a top choice for products and projects of all kinds. It continues to prove to be a great investment based on its lifespan, maintenance over time, and the ability to refinish and repair it. It comes in a variety of colors and finishes, bringing any project or product to life. If you choose hardwood, you invest in a material that offers value and sustainability, making it worth the cost.

For high-quality hardwood, Gutchess is committed to providing the best of the best hardwood species. Use our interactive map to locate your region’s dedicated sales representative today.