Among all the building products available today, only wood products come from a renewable resource! Steel, aluminum, plastic and concrete are frequently thought of as wood substitutes, and it is often assumed that using these products will help protect our forests. But we cannot grow more iron ore to make steel, bauxite to make aluminum, petroleum to make plastic or limestone to make concrete. These materials are mined or extracted from the Earth, never to be replaced.

Wood roofing, however, is made from a resource that can be planted, harvested and planted again and again! Wood is biodegradable! When wood is no longer usable, it can be readily absorbed back into the Earth with no environmental harm. The fibers turn into dirt and enrich the soil as they decompose. Old wood roofing can be easily disposed of without worrying about toxic chemicals leaching into our drinking water and poisoning the Earth. Wood is the choice for cleaner air! Using wood minimizes pollution. Wood does what wood substitutes cannot do. While trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide, cleaning the air we breathe.

In addition, the energy required to grow our timber supply is free. It comes from the sun. In contrast, high amounts of energy are required to manufacture wood substitutes. Wood roofing has a higher insulation value than any of the wood substitutes! Consequently, wood roofing helps reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool our homes and offices. The worlds energy supply is dwindling! Therefore, we all must use products that consume less energy in their manufacturing, help to conserve energy when used, are renewable for future generations, and are non-poisoning to our Earth!