There is a reason why wood is so expensive – it is a scarce resource. The world's population is growing every day, and the demand for wood is increasing along with it. Not to mention, the lumber industry is facing some big challenges these days. This article will explore all of the reasons why wood is so expensive, and what we can do to make it more affordable.
Reasons why wood is expensive
It's a Scarce Resource
As the world's population continues to grow, so does the demand for wood. This, along with the fact that forests are depleting at an alarming rate, has made wood a scarce resource. According to a recent study, global timber production has declined by 50% since 1990 (The State of the World's Forests, 2018). As a result, the price of lumber has increased.
Deforestation is a major problem because of two main factors. One is due to urbanization, which is increasing demand. The other reason is climate change, because of which is causing massive desertification.
Increasing Demand
Another reason for the high price of wood is increasing demand. Not only is the world's population growing, but more and more people are moving into urban areas. This means that there is less land available for forestry, and the demand for wood products is increasing faster than the supply. This trend is only expected to continue in the future, which means that the price of wood is likely to continue to increase.
There are some times of the year when the demand for wood is even greater. This is typically the warmer months because that is the ideal time for renovations. This is the reason why the price of wood goes down during the winters.
Rare types of wood
Not all wood is equal. Some types of wood are much rarer than others, and this scarcity can drive up the price. For example, bubinga is a type of wood that is often used in high-end furniture and musical instruments. Its unique grain patterns and rich color make it valuable, plus it is very hard to find. As a result, bubinga can be quite expensive, with some boards selling for over $100 per foot.
These rare types of wood are getting even rarer as the days go by. This is because of the rapid cutting down of forests. For example, ebony and zebrawood have also started to become rarer. When it comes to rare types of wood, the costs of processing them are also very high. Treehut uses a lot of these rare woods in its wooden watches so that your watch stands out.
Processing wood is expensive
Another reason why wood is expensive is that the process of harvesting, transporting, and processing it is very costly. Timber companies have to invest a lot of money in equipment and infrastructure, and they also have to pay their workers well. All of these costs are passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices.
Another big challenge for the lumber industry is that processing wood is very costly. Timber companies have to invest a lot of money in equipment and infrastructure, and they also have to pay their workers well, thus driving up the final price. The steps included in processing wood are:
-Harvesting the trees
-Transporting the logs to the sawmill
-Sawing the logs into lumber
-Drying the lumber
-Planning and grading the lumber
-Transporting the lumber to the customer
All of these steps require a lot of time, effort, and money. After this further processing is also done, according to the needs of the customers, and their use of the wood.
Shortage of labor
The high cost of wood can also be attributed to the shortage of labor in the forestry industry. With the baby boomers retiring, there are fewer people available to work in the forests. This has led to a decrease in production and an increase in prices.
The shortage of labor in the forestry industry is that the forestry industry is not seen as an attractive option for young people. It's seen as being dangerous, physically demanding, and low-paying. As a result, few people are choosing to enter the industry.
This shortage of labor is expected to continue in the future, which means that the price of wood is likely to continue to increase.
How to make wood more affordable
There are a few ways that you can make wood more affordable.
- Look for alternatives: There are a number of alternative materials that can be used in place of wood. For example, bamboo is a sustainable material that can be used in furniture and flooring.
- Shop around: When you're looking for wood products, it's important to compare prices from different retailers. You may be able to find a better deal if you take the time to shop around.
- Buy in bulk: If you're planning to use a lot of wood, it's often cheaper to buy it in bulk. This can help you save money in the long run.
While the reasons why wood is so expensive are varied, there are a few things that you can do to make it more affordable. Look for alternatives, shop around, and buy in bulk when possible. With a little effort, you can find ways to save money on this essential material.
