The market and demand for reclaimed lumber has grown over the past few decades since it first sprouted into existence. There are many reasons for this, but one of them must specifically do with literal growth. Old trees with strong, rich grain need centuries to finally reach their maximum quality as lumber, and sources available to commercial use are becoming increasingly scarce.

To meet the demands of an environmentally conscious market, the construction industry is adopting practices that minimize the environmental impact of construction, building operation, and demolition. To stay ahead of your competitors, it is essential to follow green construction trends so you can understand the direction of the market.

From an image of a single house fire to memories of historic disasters like the Great Chicago Fire or the 2020 California Wildfires, the danger fire can pose to our homes and businesses is seared into our collective memories. Many people believe that modern construction materials like steel and concrete provide buildings with the utmost fire resistance. But what if we told you that modern construction solutions are beginning to incorporate more wood into new construction?

The idea of using wood as a construction material is not new. Indeed, wood has been used for building purposes for thousands of years. But from the late 1800s, there was a transition toward the use of steel, concrete, and bricks as these materials were considered to be safer and more stable. However, in recent years, the use of wood has reemerged on the scene in the construction industry.

Popular in Canada and Europe, mass timber construction is now gaining a foothold in the U.S. Working with existing code has been one of the challenges for the mass timber construction industry; however, increasing numbers of builders and their investors are turning to mass timber because of its many benefits over alternate building materials. As more construction teams choose to work with mass timber, they will need to rely on a new class of tools and supplies to enhance these building methods.

Did you know that fasteners originally were made of wood? Archaeological excavations of early Germanic sites have shown traces of wooden nails used as far into the past as 7,000 years ago. It wasn't until the era of the ancient Egyptians that the first recorded use of bronze nails showed up at around 5,000 years ago. Despite that, wooden nails were still favored throughout antiquity and into the 1600s for wood construction.

Why would you use reclaimed wood for your next construction or building project? Many people choose reclaimed wood for its durability and strength. When remodeling some want to use a material that will keep its appearance for many years to come. For others it could be the conservation element and having less impact on the environment. When it’s harvested responsibly, reclaimed wood is a renewable resource that reduces the environmental hazards created to make new products as well as landfill waste. Or, it could be simply for an aesthetic reason, having wood that’s rich in history and character adds a certain beauty, charm and story to surroundings.

In this technological age, it feels like upgrades and innovation are the norm, so staying up to date on the industry trends is important to give you the competitive edge. Construction innovations can increase quality, safety and speed of building projects, and the evolution of fasteners is a great example of this. They are a crucial component of any build. Let’s take a look at where the world of fasteners is headed.

Let’s get this out of the way - we are NOT talking about Grandma’s paneling. Interior timber cladding, while not a new application, has taken on a very modern life of its own. It can be elegant and clean or rugged and rustic, both bringing natural elements from the outdoors in. If you’re not familiar with the new take on an old idea, we’ll fill you in.

Peanut butter & jelly, Bert & Ernie, salt & pepper… These famous pairs go together so well that it’s hard to imagine one without the other. The same could be said for metal roofs and solar panels. It’s become a popular trend to bring these two together, so it’s important to understand why before talking to homeowners.