Hardwoods Stay The Course

Use of American hardwoods has remained stable over the past five years, according to the Hardwood Manufacturers Association.

Total hardwood usage in 2006 was 10.7 billion bd. ft., the same as in 2002. Although usage in furniture has declined over the past decade, other uses have increased: kitchen and bath cabinets have grown 617o; flooring grew 56Vo, and mouldings, dimension, and millwork increased3SVo.

Usage in furniture has declined because 537o of all wood furniture sold in the U.S. is produced overseas. However, American hardwoods are increasingly exported to countries such as China, Vietnam and Malaysia, and then returned to the U.S. as imported furniture. The trend is one reason for the 3.47o increase in exports in 2006.

Despite a 6.47o decline in shiPments of strip flooring over the last decade, flooring will remain important as remodeling keeps the market strong.

Use of American hardwoods for moulding and millwork is 38Vo higher over the same period, even though significant amounts are imported from Canada, China and Brazll.

According to HMA's new report, domestic hardwoods are a natural choice for green building projects. They are abundant, remove carbon from the air as they grow, and can be locally sourced to eliminate overseas shipping costs.