"It's time to save trees so they can save us."-TIME Magazine, July 23, 2007
For over thirty years, Mountain Lumber has been a dedicated contributor to green building. Our philosophy has always been that trees are not simply wood – they are living organisms that have more beauty and utility standing than felled for flooring. We do our part to curtail deforestation by finding lumber that was cut centuries ago and recycling it for your projects.
We are so dedicated to coexisting with nature that we bring green thinking to everything we do – from heating our kiln with our own sawdust to using wood chips to fire generators in our mills.
Mountain Lumber and the USGBC
According to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), in the United States, buildings contribute to 136 million tons of construction and demolition waste annually and account for 30% of global raw materials use. By using reclaimed antique wood for our products, Mountain Lumber helps reduce both demolition waste and the amount of energy used to make raw materials.
Mountain Lumber also works to promote green building by joining with the USGBC to promote the LEED green building rating system. Importantly, Mountain Lumber's reclaimed flooring does not rely on cutting old grown or virgin timbers. We are doing our part to preserve nature's beauty.
What is LEED
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is the leading accepted measure for green building. LEED buildings are evaluated in six key areas:
- Sustainable site development
- Water savings
- Energy efficiency
- Materials and resources selection
- Indoor environmental quality
- Innovations in design
There are currently 22 states, 55 cities and 33 schools that encourage or require LEED-certified public buildings. LEED projects exist in all 50 states and over 30 countries. The US Green Building Council continues to expand its LEED efforts, moving from new commercial construction, to commercial renovations, and now to residential home qualifications. Mountain Lumber's reclaimed flooring is a useful way to earn points within the Materials and Resources section of the LEED evaluation.
The Benefits of LEED
LEED certified buildings will receive third party validation as well as a LEED certification plaque and marketing exposure through the USGBC website. LEED certified buildings can also qualify for a growing number of local government and state incentives including tax rebates and zoning allowances. Learn more about LEED certification.
Green Log Awards Nominee
Mountain
Lumber was nominated for a 2008 Green Log Home
& Lifestyle Award in the Green Flooring: Reclaimed Materials
category. The Green Log Awards recognizes companies and websites
that exemplify their tagline, "Building a green world one home at a
time."
Starting in April, the public will be invited to vote for their favorite green
companies in each category which range from home energy systems and building
materials to eco-friendly flooring and sustainable landscaping.
Mountain Lumber is greatly honored by this nomination, and hopes our friends and customers will join in and show their support.
Green Log Home & Lifestyle Award Nominee