|
Wood is a universal building and aesthetic material
The value of wood as either building or decorative applications can never be over stated. As a structural raw material, wood is remarkably suitable for a wide variety of uses from framing, to subflooring, to roofing. It is strong, easy to machine, less susceptible to heat than steel, abundantly available, much more environmentally friendly to produce, and readily replenishable. As an aesthetic material, it adds warmth, character, and an element of individuality unsurpassed by other natural materials or synthetic products.
It is written
 One of the more appealing aspects of wood as a decorative material is its inherent variation in appearance. It is important to remember that this variation is what gives wood its personality, so to speak. For this reason, the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association, in section (3.3.1)  of the American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood ANSI/HPVA HP-1-2009, includes the following statement: "...Wood is a natural material. Thus, its appearance is influenced by a number of factors uncontrolled by man. In temperate zones, the primary growing seasons affect the formation of springwood and summerwood which can result in wood with different cellular porosity and appearance as it is formed during the spring and summer seasons. These differences can be pronounced in some species. The outer sapwood is often distinctly different and lighter in color from the inner heartwood due to the presence of colored extraneous components (chemical compounds) in the heartwood. The presence of adventitious buds and limbs that are pruned by nature are responsible for the formation of small pin knots and some larger knots. Mineral and other soil factors can result in color variation in wood. Insects, vines, other living things, and variants of nature can interact with the living tree causing colorations and wounds which are healed by the living tree organism. These natural processes are, in part, responsible for the inherent natural characteristics or imprints in wood. These factors often act differently in different species. For example, pecan can be characterized by much color variation in grain, in part because of the 'pecky' nature of the wood. Pecan, walnut, and cherry often have a relatively large number of pin knots. Some species, such as birch, have a relatively small number of conspicuous naturalimprints; however, no species and no tree can be totally free of these characteristics. Because of the inherent individuality of trees, consideration should be given to the overall appearance of the veneer face to determine the appropriate grade for that veneer."
By whom?
 The above paragraph was crafted by the HPVA Technical Committee, in cooperation with representatives from numerous hardwood plywood and face veneer producers across North America and Europe for the original publication of the standard in its current form way back in 1988. As I recall, one of the goals of the foregoing was to reinforce the fact that wood is not plastic. It cannot be reproduced in its natural configuration in a repeatable appearance through any method other than artificially. Every piece of wood has its own unique appearance. Sequences of veneer can be produced to provide some semblance of continuity of color and grain, but even though it is hard to distinguish between one panel and the next in a sequence, the subtle nuances become pronounced between the first sheet in the sequence and each successive sheet. The grain patterns and colors change gradually and sequentially, but they do change. That's the nature of wood! Wood is beautiful!
 Variation in wood appearance ranges from slight to wild depending on species. Even within a given species, the appearance (and physical properties, for that matter) will change subtly from one part of the tree to another. The first two sentences of Chapter 7 of the Textbook of Wood Technology by A. J. Panshin and Carl de Zeeuw read, "Wood produced by trees of the same species is often mistakenly assumed to be identical in all structural and physical characteristics. In fact, different pieces of wood even from the same tree are never identical and are similar only within broad limits."
In closing: so...what are we saying here?
What we are saying is that wood is an all-purpose servant of man! It warms our homes. It warms our hearts. All because of its so many unique appearances and its physical prowess! Wood is good!
|
