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Real, natural wood has warmth, depth, charm and character that is impossible to duplicate in other materials. Wood has been around for centuries, making it a timeless interior style that can adapt to any decor or season. It is a biophilic design element that is sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, cost-effective and extremely versatile.
Wood is the future when it comes to designing commercial spaces. If you are looking for a way to bring nature and a calming vibe into every room for your next commercial space project, look no further than the trees.
Wood is a Biophilic Element
Biophilic design elements are any materials or design components that remind people of nature. Innately, people are drawn to aspects of the outdoors. For instance, most prefer to spend time in a room with booming, open windows drenched in sunlight instead of stuck in a stuffy room with no windows in sight. Wood is another accessible biophilic detail because it is quite literally an element of nature.
As a society, we spend 80% of our time indoors, which can have a dampening effect on people’s mental health. When wood is incorporated into interior design, seeing grains of wood all around us, whether indirectly with small decor or direct with large wooden walls, reminds us of nature and has been shown to reduce stress drastically.
Wood is also hypoallergenic and promotes better air quality, regulates humidity and temperature levels, and can even absorb sound through its innate acoustic properties to contribute to a more peaceful environment, whether it’s a corporate office space, school, hospital or municipal building.
Wood is Durable
Wood is naturally a durable product that can be repaired if damaged. Today’s technology allows for high traffic finishes that perform well under heavy foot traffic.
When hard species of wood like Maple or Ash are combined with a durable topcoat finish many wood floors perform far better than most people expect. Acrylic-infused wood flooring is the most durable wood option available because the real wood wear layer is infused with acrylic.
This acrylic infusion process produces a product that is more than three times more dent resistant than standard wood flooring. Acrylic-infused wood floors allow for extremely durable topcoat finishes that cannot be used with a regular wood floor.
Wood is the Most Sustainable Building Product
Wood can be reduced, reused and recycled, and, through innovations, it can now be optimized to reduce the amount of waste produced.
Excess wood can be taken to recovery centers for recycling or creating what builders call “reclaimed wood.” This allows builders of a separate project to secure wood without tapping into the original forest for more materials. Unlike other building materials, wood is renewal and doesn’t deplete the earth of its natural resources: It can be grown and harvested over and over again.
With the small amounts of waste that is produced during wood production, the waste is biodegradable. Any residual chippings can be burned as an energy source or used as sawdust, and the waste produced will eventually decompose and breakdown back into the earth, making it better for the environment.
Wood is Cost-Effective
Not only is wood environmentally-friendly, safe and extremely durable, it is also cost-effective and can help you manage your budget. Wood is abundant and readily available, so it can often be locally sourced, delivered quickly and cut your transportation costs exuberantly.
It is lighter than other materials, requiring a less expensive foundation. Building with wood also saves money by shortening the amount of time needed to complete constructions with far fewer accompanying materials and equipment.
Wood is Timeless and Versatile
Wood can adapt to any decor, no matter the complexity of your project. In addition to its soothing effects on senses, wood is one of the only building materials that can be finished to look shiny like marble, rugged like a rustic cabin or anywhere in between.
There are many techniques for smoothing, painting, staining and texturizing wood to achieve your desired look. You can even keep it in its natural state and craft it into truly gorgeous, one-of-a-kind designs that will showcase and give its unique imperfections, knots and grains the spotlight.
Wood can be used to create a knockout floor, a rustic wall, a high-class ceiling, detailed millwork or be used in small decor, support beams or furniture. No matter where you choose to utilize wood, you can’t go wrong.
About the Contributor
Elizabeth Wood is a territory manager and government sales specialist for Nydree Flooring a small business.