Good Wood Guide

Good wood guide checklist

Introduction to the Good wood guide Checklist for buying and using wood timber Links to sources of information on wood and timber Acknowledgements

Good wood guide checklist

We've put your options in order of what we think is better for the environment, starting with the best choice first.

 

Option 1

Repairing, restoring or adapting something you already have. You might need professional help but it could still be cheaper than buying something new. And it's far better for the world's forests.
 

Option 2

Buying secondhand, recycled, reclaimed or waste timber. If you can, this is a better environmental choice than buying new.

 

Option 3

Although it's by no means perfect, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber is your next best option. If you can, try buying local before you look further afield - as this means less fossil fuel is used getting it to you.

 

Option 4

Buying FSC certified products from further afield. If there's no timber available from a locally certified forest, we think the FSC logo is better than uncertified timber. All FSC certified wood carries the FSC logo.

FSC certification

FSC certification should mean timber is from a forest managed in the interests of people and the environment.

We're concerned at reports that some FSC certificates are failing to guarantee rigorous environmental and social standards. So we're supporting a review of the scheme to ensure the highest standards for all products.

Buying timber

When you're buying timber, you can help improve your choice by:

  1. Finding out the timber type.
  2. Referring to our A - Z of different types of wood timber to see if it's from an endangered species.
  3. Changing to an alternative timber if necessary.
  4. Exploring other sources of information on wood.

In the Good wood web guide