The Lacey Act – What it means for you? Why it’s a good thing for all of us.

Eco-friendly wood
Advantage Trim & Lumber promotes the Lacey Act through responsible forestry.

What is the Lacey Act?

Signed into law in the year 1900, the Lacey Act is a century old United States law that makes it a federal crime to buy, sell, or trade any wildlife or plants that were procured and transported by illegal means. This includes the import and exporting of both domestic and exotic lumber. For the lumber industry during that time, The Lacey Act was a wake up call. Conduct business in a responsible manner that doesn’t destroy the very resource you depend on, or face a federal court. While the battle still rages on against illegal logging across the world, it is companies like Advantage Trim & Lumber that are leading the way when it comes to sustainable forestry.

What does the Lacey Act mean for you?

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Tigerwood Decking in San Francisco, CA

Decking in California
This Tigerwood deck will be an attractive place for patrons to sit, eat, and relax.

Why is Tigerwood a great decking option for California homes and businesses?

For starters, Tigerwood is instantly attractive. Many of our customers in California have told us that they enjoy working with such an easy material because it cuts labor costs and install time. We’ve even had customers call us to say that the second their commercial project was completed they saw an immediate increase in business thanks to more walk in traffic and customer interest.

It’s not hard to imagine people walking by this pizza parlor in San Francisco and staring at it.  With those rich colors of rusty oranges, brown, and dark black streaks you would only need one attempt to guess this wood’s name. From California to New York, you can find more and more outside commercial projects using exotic  and eco-friendly decking materials like Tigerwood.

Looks aside, there are some very practical reasons why Tigerwood is a great choice for commercial applications.

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What Makes our Hardwood Eco-Friendly?

It’s not enough to say that you’re product is eco-friendly. People want, and deserve, proof. However, it is getting harder for all of us to cut through the marketing hype to see products for what they really are, not what you are told they are. So….with that said, what does that have to do with decking?

We received a phone call the other day from someone who was fed lies. They were told by someone trying to sell them thousands of dollars in composite decking that “anyone who buys hardwood decking from countries like Brazil are helping kill off the rain forest. ” This person was shopping around and asked us point blank, “How can I be sure that the hardwood you sell is really eco-friendly?”

At Advantage, we LOVE getting questions like this. Here’s our response:

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Cumaru Is A Brazilian Teak That Rivals Ipe Decking

Cumaru aka Brazilian Teak is the perfect alternative to ipe. With comparable durability and strength, Cumaru wood is ideal for anyone who wants a cheaper option than ipe and who also wants decking that is lighter. Cumaru is also more readily available and just as eco-friendly. Buffalo, NY (Vocus) July 29, 2010 Advantage Lumber, LLC …

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FSC Certified Wood Species Brazilian Teak, Cumaru, & Tigerwood Boost LEED Green Building

With the supply of certified FSC wood like ipe in short supply, species like FSC Brazilian Teak & Tigerwood are gaining favor amond architects, planners, and contractors that specialize in green building. By expanding the amount of available Brazilian hardwoods to the market, the strain on other FSC wood options like ipe can be alleviated. …

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