Trending: don't demolish, deconstruct!

Over 270,000 houses are demolished each year in the United States, resulting in for example over 1 billion board feet of lumber added to dumps and landfill. According to the Deconstruction Institute, it would be possible to build a wall 30 feet high and 30 feet wide all around the continental United States with all the debris of these demolished buildings!
A concept gaining momentum: rather than demolish and cart the debris off to a landfill, why not invest in a deconstrution, salvage and reuse program?
Deconstruction is a longer and more labor-intensive process, so it will cost more. However, one will save on landfill charges, possibly obtain tax rebates either through a municipal or state program (check your local tax codes) or by deduction via donation (Habitat, for instance), save by re-using certain materials in the new construction, and possibly generate some income through sales (like old kitchen cabinets, molding trim, doors, etc).
Although the movement is not new, it is still small and underdeveloped, although gaining momentum. Some localities have embraced the concept and make it attractive for owners to pursue this route, others are lagging and regulations and costs still make it more attractive to dump; this will evolve over time.
Beyond the environmental benefits, there are social gains as well: the industry is in growth mode, adding not only construction laborer jobs, but green collar jobs as well, those involved in the collection, processing and redistribution of these recycled materials; a trend to watch!

http://realestate.msn.com/dont-demolish-that-old-house-recycle-it?page=0

Accoya Wood Performs Well in 5-Year Tests

http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/lumber-data-trends/Accoya-Wood-Performs-Well-in-Five-Year-Field-Tests-135432623.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

The link is to an article in Woodworking Network that describes the very positive results testers obtained in comparing a technologically-modified wood to either untreated or chemically treated lumber species. In all cases, this new wood surpassed the others in durability and resistance to decay and rot.

Accoya is a technologically modifed wood, engineered and produced by Accsys Technologies.
There are traditionally two major concerns with wood as a building material:
-dimensional stability
-durability
Wood is characterized by an abundance of chemical groups called free hydroxyls. These absorb and release water according to the environmental conditions they are exposed to, and this causes dimensional variations. Further, the free hydroxyls are where breakdown by enzymes begins the process of decay and rot, not to mention attack by organisms seeking food.
A process called acetylation changes these free hydroxyl groups into acetyl groups, which are far more impervious to variation in water content, hence are much more dimensionally stable. This acetylation process uses a naturally-occurring compound called acetic anhydride, which comes from acetic acid (vinegar in its liquid form). In addition, these acetyl groups are not digestible, hence are invisible" to enzymes and other organisms, so resistance to decay is multiplied.
As a result, acetylzed woods offer the following performance characteristics:
-Dimensional stability:
 -Swelling and shrinkage are reduced by 75% or more;
 -Manufactured elements (such as doors and windows) function better and experience longer life;
 -Finishes have longer lives (less prone to cracking or crazing)
-Improved coating abilities: -Easier to coat: less preparation and sanding required;
 -Less grain-raising;
 -Greater UV resistance.
-Machineability: -A more homogenous material machines well;
 -Improved tolerances for parts and components.
-Sustainability: -Uses sustainably-sourced woods, and regionally produced certified species;
 -The acetylation process is environmentally friendly, does not rely on toxic chemical compounds to improve the durability of the timbers;
 -Acetylated woods can obtain guarantees of up to 50 years in an outdoor usage, 25 years for in-ground uses; this exceeds the performance of traditional chemically-treated lumbers.
 -Scraps and sawdust can be recycled or put to further uses, which is not always the case for chemically-treated woods;
 -Because locally-grown timbers can achieve and exceed the durability of exotics, costs of remote-area logging, transportation to ports and intercontinental shipping can be curtailed.
Summary:
In summary, for architects, builders, manufacturers and end-users, consideration of acetylzed woods can alleviate concerns of environmental and/or performance compromises when compared to other building materials.
For further reading about acetylzed woods, the acetylation process, and Accoya, see www.acoya.com

Our vision and mission for this blog

Ah, the thrill of launching into a new venture!
Welcome, readers, to Stephen & Carolyn's new blog page.
This blog is, as its name states, about Green/Design/Works. Each word contains a subset of concepts we will endeavor to promulgate throughout the life of this blog.
Green:Green is fast becoming a primary driver for 21st century living.
Issues of sustainablity, footprint, renewability, community, local-sourcing, all of course come immediately to mind when one encounters the word "green" these days. However, we take a more holistic view of green, one that also involves a person's choices regarding lifestyle, physical and mental health, relationships, spiritual as well as material pursuits, community inclusion and participation, ethics. Green is a mindset.
Design:Design is what we're about, what we do and strive to do well. This effort is not only individual, and this page is far from being limited to the showcasing of our ideas. If there is one resource that is inexhaustible in our world, it is the creativity of its inhabitants. There is no limit to the power of imagination, and we propose to be a vehicle, a forum for the creative expression of responsive solutions to people's needs. Ideas, people, trends, technologies: we desire to become a sounding board for innovative concepts that will serve our neighbors and the globe.
Works:Works involves the venues of creative green design. Individuals, associations, companies, products: any and all entities and things that contribute to the physical, psychological and environmental well-being of our readers and the diverse communities they belong to deserve highlighting here.
We hope to provide stimulating content to you, dear readers, content that will give you ideas, food for thought, inspire you, engage you. We look forward to a stimulating and rewarding relationship with all of you, who like us seek new paradigms for living responsibly in our changing 21st century landscape. So, welcome, and enjoy; we're here to serve you, and look forward to your comments and suggestions as to how we can do this in a way that focuses on your needs and aspirations. Thank you!
sh/ch