Blog - Building Renewable

A photograph of a wall made from reclaimed wood with individual planks running vertically, the colors of which vary from a light sandy brown to very dark brown. The grain is visible in the wood and there are lots of characterful imperfections and knots in the wood. In the bottom right is a man wearing a shirt and tie with glasses on holding a magnifying glass up to his left eye. In the bottom left is a rundown wooden house in the countryside. Across the top of the image are the words, "Reclaimed Wood As A Building Material (And Where To Find It)" written in white letters.

Reclaimed Wood As A Building Material (And Where To Find It)

ByErin Shine April 15, 2023October 12, 2024

If you’ve ever considered using reclaimed wood as a building material, this article is for you. We explain what reclaimed wood is, where to find it, and what its pros and cons are.

A man wearing a light gray T-shirt and dark gray work trousers with strap-on knee pads. He is kneeling down and in the process of installing engineered wood flooring. The flooring planks are dark brown with a natural wood veneer that has an irregular grain pattern. Each floorboard has tongues and grooves along its edge to allow the boards to be interlocked for easy installation. There is blue underlayment on the subfloor. In the left center of the photograph is a white "thumbs down" icon and along the bottom are the words "Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Flooring (Should You Use?)" written in white letters on a semi-transparent brown background.

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Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Flooring (Should You Use?)

ByJim Pritchard April 14, 2023November 8, 2024

The floor is an important feature of your home that can add character and comfort. If you’re trying to decide between traditional wood flooring and engineered alternatives, you should know if there are any disadvantages of engineered wood flooring. This article explains all.

A white kitchen with brown wood eco countertops in a bright open living space. Across the top of the image are the words, "Should You Consider Eco Countertops For Your Next Project?" There are three black stools at the countertop and flowers on top of it.

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Should You Consider Eco Countertops For Your Next Project?

ByErin Shine April 13, 2023June 29, 2024

A stylish kitchen can easily be achieved using sustainable materials. Eco countertops are a good option for this, and in this article we look at the different materials used to make eco countertops, along with their pros and cons.

A paint roller applying blue eco-friendly paint to a white surface. Across the top of the image are the words, "8 Best (And Cost-Effective) Eco-Friendly Paints To Buy Today." In the bottom left is a green icon with the words "Eco Friendly" inside a circle with three stars in the top and two leaves at the bottom.

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8 Best (And Cost-Effective) Eco-Friendly Paints To Buy Today

ByErin Shine April 12, 2023September 29, 2024

Eco-friendly paints are not only good for the environment but are good for your health, too. This article explains all their pros and cons, plus which brands to buy.

A sheet of particleboard with a sheet of MDF on top. Both sheets are finished with a blue plastic laminate. The different materials can be seen in the exposed cross-sections presented to the camera. In the bottom left of the image are three blue question marks. Across the top of the image are the words "What Is Manufactured Wood? Main Types Plus Pros and Cons."

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What Is Manufactured Wood? Main Types Plus Pros and Cons

ByJim Pritchard April 11, 2023April 5, 2024

If you’ve ever wondered to yourself, “What Is Manufactured Wood?” this article is for you. We look at the main types of manufactured wood, how they are made and what their pros and cons are. After reading this article, you’ll know which type of engineered wood is right for your project.

An eco-friendly deck in the backyard of a home. There is a money and budget icon in the bottom right corner showing paper money and coins with the words, "budget for success". The words "Building An Eco-Friendly Deck (While Staying Within Budget)" are written across the top of the image in white letters.

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Building An Eco-Friendly Deck (While Staying Within Budget)

ByErin Shine April 10, 2023October 13, 2024

Building an eco-friendly deck doesn’t need to break the bank. This article explains how to build an eco-friendly deck while staying within budget. Click here to learn more.

A selection of engineered wood flooring products laid out in a fan shape on a light brown engineered wood floor. The individual planks all have natural wood veneers and look like solid wood from above. However, the side profiles reveal the layered construction that uses engineered wood. In the bottom right corner is a cartoon factory and in the bottom left is a cartoon production line with two workers and a small crane. Across the top of the image are the words "What Is Engineered Wood Flooring and How Is It Made?" written in white lettering over a semi-transparent brown background.

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What Is Engineered Wood Flooring and How Is It Made?

ByJim Pritchard April 9, 2023November 8, 2024

Engineered wood is found in all sorts of building products. This article answers the question, “What is engineered wood flooring?” It also explains how it is made and answers many other common questions about engineered wood flooring.

A photograph of a man installing an engineered wood floor. He is dressed in a light blue T-shirt and tool belt. The engineered wood planks have been installed over about half the floor in the room and the subfloor is visible across the rest of the image. The subfloor has foil-backed insulation laid across it that has been taped together along the joins. The man is using a hammer against a plastic block held against the latest plank to be laid to ensure a snug fit. Across the top of the image are the words "Installing an Engineered Wood Floor – 10 Steps To Follow" in white letters on a partially transparent brown background. In the bottom left are three steps in a list to signify that the article provides a step-by-step approach.

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Installing an Engineered Wood Floor – 10 Steps To Follow

ByJim Pritchard April 8, 2023November 8, 2024

Installing an engineered wood floor is often something that people get professionals to do. But if you follow the 10 steps in this guide, have the right tools, and have some basic DIY skills, you could certainly do this job yourself.

A long-span engineered wood ceiling with long beams running the entire length of the room and cross-members at regular intervals. The ceiling above the engineered wood members is made from a series of wood panels. Gray ceiling fans hang from the cross-members. The wood is a light brown color. Across the top of the image are the words "Engineered Wood - The 10 Most Common Questions Answered" in white letters. There are three white question marks overlain at the bottom of the image.

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Engineered Wood – The 10 Most Common Questions Answered

ByJim Pritchard April 7, 2023November 8, 2024

Engineered wood can be found in all sorts of building products, and for some uses, it is even more popular than natural wood. This article answers the most common questions about this versatile and sustainable material.

Two Photographs side by side showing decking areas made from TimberTech (left) and Trex (right). The left hand deck has dining furniture on it and is light brown. The deck on the right is light gray and has a city skyline in the background. Across the top are the words "Which Is Better, Trex or TimberTech? Composite Decks Compared." The letters "VS" are in the center.

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Which Is Better, Trex or TimberTech? Composite Decks Compared

ByJim Pritchard April 6, 2023May 4, 2024

These two are the heavyweights of the composite decking world, but which is better – Trex or TimberTech? This article compares the two brands across a range of the most common features so you can decide which is better for your next project.