Going Green

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Thruway Hardwood and Plywood Corp.

• Going Green

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All information gathered by Gwendolyn A.
BorkSpecification Representative specializing in
Green products and Sustainable DesignThis
information was concluded in May of 2008, thus
will not reflect the constant changes that are
taking place as we speak in Green Development.
Throughout my research on Green Building and how
we, as your local distributor, can help fulfill
the needs of the A D community as well as the
mill shops who will be working with our products,
the more I began to see a line drawn in the sand
between Green and Sustainability. Due to the
Green Washing that is taking place right now in
the industry, it is our responsibility to use
whatever resources we have available to discern
whether or not a product is green or not. Even
when products meet certain requirements, there is
still the question of whether or not extracting
that product or making the product has not
effected the social aspect of the region in
question. At this point in time, if our clients
are not requiring of us to meet LEED requirements
but would like us to practice those standards and
incorporate those methods into a privately funded
project, before we start we need to ask them one
thing What is more important, to be Green or
Sustainable? Sustainable Development is a
pattern of resource use that aims to meet human
needs while preserving the natural environment so
that these needs can be met not only in the
present, but in the indefinite future. The term
was used by the Brundtland Commission which
coined what has become the most often-quoted
definition of sustainable development as
development that "meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. The
Brundtland Commission, formally the World
Commission on Environment and Development (WCED),
known by the name of its Chair Gro Harlem
Brundtland, was convened by the United Nations in
1983. The commission was created to address
growing concern "about the accelerating
deterioration of the human environment and
natural resources and the consequences of that
deterioration for economic and social
development." In establishing the commission, the
UN General Assembly recognized that environmental
problems were global in nature and determined
that it was in the common interest of all nations
to establish policies for sustainable
development. The less demand we have on other
countries and the more we supply to our local
area markets, the more profitable our nation will
be and by using the resources made available
(wind, solar, geo-thermal) that this planet was
equipped with, the more secure our childrens
future will be for a place to live, not just
survive. Everyday we make a choice that affects
the face of our future, let it be selfless not
selfish.
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Why Green? Why now?LOOK AT THE HEADLINES!!

• The U.S. is facing a number of issues that has
  finally come to forefront of all our discussions
• The Energy Department estimates the nations
  energy demand will increase more than 25 by the
  year 2020
• Residential and commercial buildings in the U.S.
  expend 42 of total energy consumption on Heating
  and Cooling
• Within 15 years, renewable energy could be
  generating enough electricity to power 40 million
  homes and offset 70 days of oil imports
• Oil has reached record highs, effecting the
  pricing of transporting goods which also effects
  the end cost of a product in the building
  industry.
• When the cost of oil goes up, production costs
  increase and profits reduce for industries who
  depend on oil
• Methanol shortages and increasing costs of urea
  that is added to particleboard, MDF, and
  laminated panels, has caused the cost of those
  products to rise dramatically
• American Forests organization reports that the
  U.S. could offset 20-40 of its carbon dioxide
  emissions by increasing carbon storage by 300-600
  million tons per year which would require a
  comprehensive plan to plant trees, improve forest
  management practices, and discover alternates to
  wood and biomass fuels
• Legal supplies of wood fiber fall short of demand
  by up to 40 million cubic meters per year.
  Illegal logging makes up for 70 of that demand,
  in 10-20 years 40 of intact forests will be gone

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WE DECIDE OUR FUTUREFrom the ones who pass
legislation federally to the ones who control
local government we are the people and the
people still have time to act, it begins right
here in our own backyards with the resources
already made available. Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) or the Green
Building Rating System is a third party
certification program intended to guide green
construction. It is now up to us to put into
practice methods that can help the generations
who depend on us to make decisions for tomorrow
today!!
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THE GREEN INITIATIVE OF N.Y.

• August 2007 The N.Y. State Dormitory Authority
  announced that beginning in 2008, all new State
  construction projects and major renovations
  managed by the Dormitory Authority will meet LEED
  (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
  standards established by the United States Green
  Building Council.
• August 2007 Former First Lady Spitzer announces
  that the Legislation will offer incentives to
  home-owners who build or renovate homes that meet
  Green Building criteria. The incentive will
  depend on the size of the home, capping at
  10,000 and will in turn offset the 5 increase
  in construction costs when green or
  sustainable features are incorporated.
• Summer of 2007 a comprehensive environmental and
  energy agenda has been referred to as the 15x15
  plan reduce energy use by 15 from forecasted
  levels by the year of 2015. By using the
  standards established by the U.S. Green Building
  Council and the Leadership in Energy and
  Environmental Design (LEED), N.Y. can achieve
  reduced emissions, energy costs, and decrease
  carbon imprint.

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• 21-26 points Certified
• 27-31 points Silver
• 32-41 points Gold
• 42-57 points Platinum
• Sustainable Sites (7 possible points)
• Water Efficiency (2 possible)
• Energy Atmosphere (12 possible)
• Materials Resources (14 possible)
• Indoor Environmental Quality (17 possible)

LEED The Breakdown
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How can Thruway Hardwood help the AD community
as well as our local Fabricators Go Green?
We supply materials that meet the standards set
by LEED under the MR and EQ sections if you
can design it we can supply it.

• Recycled Materials 10 or 20 post-consumer ½
  pre-consumer (MR credit 4.1, 4.2)
• Regional Materials 10 or 20 Extracted and
  Manufactured Regionally or within 500 miles (MR
  5.1,5.2)
• Rapidly Renewable Materials products and
  materials that can be harvested within a 10-year
  or shorter cycle (MR 6)
• Certified Wood certified by the Forest
  Stewardship Council and supplied by a distributor
  who is also FSC certified (MR 7)
• Low-emitting Materials Adhesives and Sealants
  used in the building interior have to meet
  standards set by the South Coast Air Quality
  Management District and the Green Seal Standard
  GC-36 requirements (EQ 4.1)
• Low-emitting Materials Composite Wood and
  Laminate Adhesives that contain no added
  urea-formaldehyde (EQ 4.4)

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Products and ApplicationsIntroduction

• At Thruway Hardwood and Plywood we strategically
  set into place manufacturers by location and
  capacity to maximize our product potential.

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Veneers

• FSC certified (MR 7)
• Located within 500 miles (MR 5.1 MR 5.2)
• Any true wood veneer available unless endangered
• Reconstituted or Composite veneers
• Rapidly renewable (bamboo) MR 6
• Custom Laid Veneers on Plywood Diamond match,
  Reversed Diamond, Sunburst, Herringbone, Book,
  Slip, and Random Match
• Various backers wood on wood, phenolic back,
  peel and stick, 10 mil, 20 mil, and 30 mil back
• Wall panels, conference tables, fine furniture,
  high-end cabinetry, columns

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Veneer Cuts
RIFT SLICE Commonly used for Red and White Oak,
Rift cut can be easily sequenced and matched, by
cutting a slight angle to the radial to arrive at
a quartered appearance without excessive flake.
ROTARY Similar to unrolling wrapping paper, this
is the most economical method of producing
veneer, resulting in the highest yield. This type
of veneer is best suited for paint grade or
utility surfaces.
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Veneer Cuts
PLAIN SLICE The most common method of veneer
manufacturing, used mainly in architectural
plywood which produces a grain pattern known as
cathedral. Ideally suited for wall panels,
furniture and store fixtures.
QUARTER SLICE Similar to the Plain Slice, this
cut requires the largest diameter logs and
produces straight grained veneers, often
resulting in the appearance of flake.
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Custom Plywood

• FSC certified (MR 7)
• Located within 500 miles (MR 5.1 5.2)
• Veneer one side, thermally fused melamine on
  other
• Custom laid designs on individual panel
• Various cores to choose from fire rated,
  moisture rated, no urea or formaldehyde added,
  marine grade, foils 1 or 2 sided (EQ 4.4)
• Custom panel face matching
• Wall panels, cabinetry, fine furniture

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Matching Panel Faces
Running Match
Balance Match
Pattern of the veneer face will continue to the
next sheet after a specified sheet size
Each panel face is made with an odd or even
number of veneer pieces but balanced within the
panel
Center Match
Panel consists of an even number of veneers,
equal widths, matching faces, center of panel is
center of panel
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Melamine

• Thermally fused laminate to either MDF or
  particleboard
• Located within 500 miles (MR 5.1 MR 5.2)
• 100 recycled and recovered wood fiber (MR 4.1
  4.2)
• Compliant with formaldehyde emission standards,
  EPP and CPA compliant (EQ 4.4)
• Can specify a laminate for your countertops and
  use the melamine to match for all fixture or
  vertical applications
• State of the art finishes to add to the trueness
  of every design and its application
• Largest manufacturer in the world located in
  Canada is supplying all their melamine with
  no-urea or formaldehyde added substrates as well
  as FSC

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Mystera Solid Surface

• Made in the U.S.A.-Oklahoma (MR 5.1 5.3)
• Mystera exceeds all testing data from NSF, and
  ISSFA for durability etc.
• Mystera will retain all its durability
  throughout the life of the building it is put
  into, surface is renewable
• If the requirements to existing building
  structure and shells are met, Mystera products
  used can contribute LEED points
• The adhesives and seaming products used in
  Mystera installations have low VOC emissions and
  fall within the current standard set by Most Air
  Quality Management Districts in the U.S. (EQ 4.4)

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Pionite High Pressure Laminate and FRL (Fiber
Reinforced Laminate)

• HPL (all horizontal applications conceivable)
• Recycled Content 3-5 post-industrial recycled
  content and 0 post-consumer recycled content (MR
  Credit 4.1)
• Local/Regional Materials plant is located in
  Auburn Maine (MR Credit 5.1)
• Pionite laminates are Greenguard Indoor Air
  Quality Certified (EQ 4.5)
• 80 of Pionite sold is for Commercial
  applications
• A variety of finishes available including
  embossed Slate, embossed Leather, and Ashwood
  (wood finish)
• FRL (durable, impact resistant, Class A Fire
  Rated, wall panels)
• Recycled Content 1-3 post-industrial recycled
  content and 0 post-consumer recycled content (MR
  Credit 4.1)
• Local/Regional Materials product made in Auburn
  Maine facility (MR 5.1)
• Low Emitting Materials Fiber Reinforced
  laminates are Greenguard Indoor Air Quality
  Certified (EQ 4.5)

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Greenguard Certified Pionite Products

• Markerboard
• High Pressure Laminate
• Micastat (Electrostatic Dissipative Laminate)
  used where static-sensitive electronic components
  are manufactured or assembled as well as any
  areas in a hospital or clean rooms where the
  surface cannot attract dust or dirt particles
• Pearlescent (printed with Metallic and
  Pearlescent inks) used in low abrasion areas only
• ChemGuard (Chemical Resistant Laminate) chemical
  resistant throughout the laminate used in
  photographic darkrooms, nurses stations, medical,
  dental, veterinary clinics
• Thick Phenolic Core (laminate available in
  thicknesses up to 1) toilet partitions,
  tabletops, doors, workstations, wall panels,
  desktops
• MelCor II (Color-through Laminate) color through
  the core construction good for hi-wear
  applications since gouges will not readily show

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Chemetal Decorative Metal Laminate

• Made of aluminum, aluminum is the most recycled
  material on the planet
• Mainly Vertical applications or light Horizontal
• Average 50-80 recycled content with 100
  pre-consumer
• Recycled Materials (MR Credit 4.1 4.2))
• Plant located in Easthampton Massachusetts
• Regional Materials/within 500 miles of project
  site (MR Credit 5.1)
• Low Emitting Materials-Adhesives and Sealants (EQ
  Credit 4.1)
• Columns, wall panels, elevator walls, wainscoting

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Caution Beware of Green Washing

• Use the LEED standards as a tool to either
  confirm or deny a green product line
• All LEED standards depending on the type of build
  or remodel are downloadable on the U.S. Green
  Building Counsel website (www.usgbc.org)
• The GreenSpec Directory is a resource of products
  that are green
• Utilize a data base called The Pharos Project
  designed to provide comprehensive product
  analysis and ratings on what an environmentally
  sustainable product should be. Pharos also tried
  to compare existing products to that ideal
• EcoScorecard.com, LEED product database,
  searchable by information submitted by
  manufacturers
• RateItGreen.com, environmental evaluation of
  community opinion
• GreenHomeGuide.com, reviews and advice on
  residential builds

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GreenSpec Directory Product Standards

• Products made with Salvaged, Recycled, or
  Agricultural Waste Content
• Products that Conserve Natural Resources
• Products that Avoid Toxic or other Emissions
• Products that Save Energy or Water
• Products that contribute to a Safe, Healthy
  Environment

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Green Product Certifications

• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
• SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative)
• ATFS (American Tree Farm System)
• CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
• Green Guard-Indoor Air Quality Control
• EPP (Environmentally Preferred Products)
• Green Label and Green Label Plus
• Floor Score
• Indoor Advantage
• Energy Performance Certification
• Energy Star
• Verified Directory
• Water Sense
• Green Seal
• Eco Logo
• Sustainable Choice
• C2C (Cradle to Cradle)
• Smart Certified (Sustainable Materials Rating
  Technology)

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• Supplying standards for the future in our
  materials today!
• Proud Distributor of Karran solid surface sinks,
  Lansen stainless steel sinks, Mystera Solid
  Surface (Made in U.S.A.), Chemetal, Tree Frog,
  Slotwall, Specialty Hardwood Plywood, Veneers,
  Tafisa Melamine, Green products
• Members of the U.S. Green Building Council
• FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) Certified
• Provides wood from monitored forests to prevent
  illegal deforestation and reduce our carbon
  imprint
• Strategically set into place manufacturers by
  location and capacity to maximize product
  potential with Green products
• Promotes local businesses and American produced
  material
• Privately owned and operated, we have a local
  perspective enabling us to personally service our
  clients
• Highly educated professionals in building
  Green, making the process of LEED building
  effortless and invigorating
• Servicing New York, Canada, and Pennsylvania
• Personally servicing Architects, Designers,
  Kitchen and Bath dealers, Home Centers, Home
  Builders, Fabricators, and Millwork shops
• Sustaining and protecting our natural resources
  is our responsibility. With everyones help and
  cooperation, the Western New York business
  community can take responsibility and action to
  reestablish natures balance.