Consumer value dimensions for sustainable wood products: results from the Finnish retail sector

Our study focuses on exploring on the dimensionality of sustainability in perceived consumer value regarding wooden products in the Finnish context. Factors affecting consumer value on sustainability were derived from the literature on sustainable consumption and tested on a specific case of wooden terrace products through a developed survey instrument. The dimensions of sustainability-based consumer value were identified using a factor analysis on data consisting of 208 responses collected in the home and building material retail sector in May–June 2013. Four-dimensional structure for consumer value concerning sustainable and responsible wooden products is identified to consist of “Information and product origin,” “Consumer activity,” “Product image,” and “Quality.” The first two, sustainability-related factors were more strongly valued by elderly as well as by female respondents, while “Quality” and “Image” were more preferred by young and middle-aged respondent groups. As for the conclusion, our results suggest that improving the sustainability information content, launching awareness campaigns and environmental education as well as applying greenness as a complementary product attribute would be some of the solutions to attract larger consumer groups.     

Decay-influencing factors: A basis for service life prediction of wood and wood-based products

The need for a reliable database and a corresponding methodology to predict service life of wood and wood-based products emanates from the European Construction Products Directive, as well as from a strong interest by the building industry. A literature review on decay-influencing factors and on previous approaches to implement methods and tools for service life estimations was the basis for a concept for service life prediction of wooden components. The effect of various indirect decay factors was found to be reducible to a few direct decay factors, with material resistance, as well as wood moisture content, wood temperature and their dynamics among the key factors for fungal decay. Approaches that consider only indirect factors, e.g. climate indices, suffer from poor correlation with service life or decay rates. Therefore, the overall consideration of all possible influences, reduced on the key direct decay factors in first instance, is recommended. To fill a theoretical model with a reliable database, various data sources need to be considered, in decreasing order of priority: in-service performance, field test data, laboratory test data, survey analysis and expert opinion.     

Decay-influencing factors: A basis for service life prediction of wood and wood-based products

Abstract

The need for a reliable database and a corresponding methodology to predict service life of wood and wood-based products emanates from the European Construction Products Directive, as well as from a strong interest by the building industry. A literature review on decay-influencing factors and on previous approaches to implement methods and tools for service life estimations was the basis for a concept for service life prediction of wooden components. The effect of various indirect decay factors was found to be reducible to a few direct decay factors, with material resistance, as well as wood moisture content, wood temperature and their dynamics among the key factors for fungal decay. Approaches that consider only indirect factors, e.g. climate indices, suffer from poor correlation with service life or decay rates. Therefore, the overall consideration of all possible influences, reduced on the key direct decay factors in first instance, is recommended. To fill a theoretical model with a reliable database, various data sources need to be considered, in decreasing order of priority: in-service performance, field test data, laboratory test data, survey analysis and expert opinion.     

Use of wood products in multi-storey residential buildings: views of Swedish actors and suggested measures for an increased use

ABSTRACT

Many studies have shown that wooden buildings in general have a lower climate impact than buildings built of conventional materials such as concrete and steel. In Sweden, however, only about 10% of the multi-dwelling buildings are built with timber frames. The goal of this empirical study is to provide a broad picture of the views of Swedish actors regarding the use of wood products in multi-storey residential buildings and suggest measures for an increased use. A questionnaire concerning the use of wood products in construction was sent out to Swedish developers, main contractors, and architects and 100 answers were received. The study shows that the views of the groups of actors differ in some respects and factors that may either facilitate or be obstacles to an increased use of wood products were identified and discussed.     

Physical and mechanical properties required for violin bow materials II: Comparison of the processing properties and durability between pernambuco and substitutable wood species

Pernambuco (Guilandina echinata Spreng. syn Caesalpinia echinata Lam.), which has been used for a material of violin bows, was compared with substitutable wood species from the viewpoint of processing properties and durability. The properties required for bow material are discussed. The shearing strength of pernambuco was higher than that of the other wood species at the same specific gravity. High shearing strength seems to be effective for preventing damage to the head (top part) of the bow. The presence of extractives affects the thermal softening of wood material, but ease of handling and permanent retention of form are not particularly superior for pernambuco, although it does have a high extractives content. A peculiarly low loss tangent (tan S) of pernambuco can probably be attributed to the large amount of extractives, rather than the mean microfibril angle.Part of this report was presented at the 46th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society in Kumamoto, April 1996.     

Growth and physiological responses to silviculture for producing solid-wood products from Eucalyptus plantations: An Australian perspective

We review the main silvicultural interventions used when managing Eucalyptus plantations for solid-wood products, including fertilising, pruning and thinning. The growth of a plantation and the quality of the wood produced is closely linked to the development of the tree crowns. These silvicultural interventions influence crown dynamics and can interact with each other, as well as the species, site and the age at which they are applied. This review focuses on the growth and physiological responses observed in Eucalyptus plantations, particularly from an Australian perspective. The implications for wood quality, while given some attention, are beyond the scope of this review.