Science supporting the economic and environmental benefits of using wood and wood products in green building construction

he objective of this report is to summarize the scientific findings that support the environmental and economic benefits of using wood and wood products in green building construction. Wood has been used as a structural material in North America for hundreds of years, primarily for singleand multiple-family housing, commercial buildings and transportation structures such as bridges. The market share for wood in commercial buildings, such as schools and strip malls, has been small compared to other materials. Today, a growing awareness of environmental sustainability, and a desire on the part of consumers for quality building materials at economic prices could boost markets for wood products.