Availability, adaptability and aesthetics have made wood doors a popular and prominent feature in homes and buildings for decades. Today, innovation and environmental factors add to the appeal of wood doors, increasing their durability and use in green building.

Among their environmental attributes, wood doors are made from one of the few building materials that are renewable – trees. Since trees remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air as they grow and store it in wood fibers, wood products like doors are one way to help offset the carbon emissions impacts of other human activities.

Lifecycle assessment studies show that wood has lower environmental impacts than other primary building products in terms of energy use, production of greenhouse gases, air and water pollution and production of solid waste. For example, compared to the energy required to produce one ton of wood, it takes 126 times more energy to produce 1 ton of aluminum and 24 times more energy to produce 1 ton of steel, according to the APA – Engineered Wood Association.

In addition, advancements in wood door technology have made it possible for manufacturers like Simpson Door Company to move from solid wood door construction to engineered construction - components are made from multiple pieces of wood - allowing for more efficient use of natural resources while increasing the durability of wood doors.

Studies also show that wood is significantly more efficient as an insulator than steel and aluminum, and when used in the walls, doors and window framing of a building, can help reduce the amount of energy used for heating and cooling. Of course, proper weather-stripping and insulation are also critical to a tight building envelope.

Wood doors are timeless, unique and can be a natural choice for sustainable building. With proper care, they can provide years of enjoyment and an aesthetic connection to the environment.