Hello All,
A group of us (three architects and a builder- sounds like there should be a joke here) were debating this and we are stumped.
Application: Residential exterior trim.
50 year warrantied composite product of agricultural byproduct with PVC (EPD not published yet) vs 100 year (if primed on all sides and painted or stained then maintained painted every 10-12 years) cedar (on rainscreen, so built to dry out). Embodied energy in shipping is about the same- think - possibly cross-country.
How would you prioritize these attributes?
- Do you put carbon capture higher? But both the tree and the agricultural by-product capture carbon.
- By using agricultural by-product you're supporting farmers with added income, with the wood you're supporting forestry stewardship
- Prioritize keeping Red List off (remember, this is exterior), so keep all PVC out?
- Incentivizing industry for development of products that utilize what would otherwise be waste?
- Durability? In which case you go with the cedar with its 100 year life span
I am leaning toward cedar, with a preference for FSC cedar. However I would be interested in your decision-making pathway. Thank you!
