People are often quite curious as to why Pioneer Millworks became FSC® Certified. Why would go through the certification process when we already know that we’re doing the right thing? After all, we produce flooring, millwork, and timbers from salvaged building materials. Seems pretty straightforward, especially when you can clearly see nail holes and other signs of previous use in our products. But how do you as a customer know that we’re really using reclaimed wood for your order?

Think of it this way: When you’re grocery shopping for organic products, be it produce or otherwise, what do you look for? Chances are, you look for this:

This label appears on the packaging to prove that the product you’re buying is indeed Organic! It may cost more, but many consumers value the “behind—the—scenes” differences in how the product was brought to market, and quite honestly, it is better for the producers’ employees, your family, and the planet. Similarly, you’ll see this logo on all of our paperwork and marketing materials:

This logo means that we’ve been evaluated & inspected by a third party on a regular basis to demonstrate that we are indeed only using reclaimed wood in the products we claim as such. And it is your assurance as a consumer that you really are getting what we say we’re making for you. Like organic food, and beyond the scope of FSC® Certification, we also care about how our products are made. We’re proud to use wind power, burn our waste wood for heat with virtually no emissions, use formaldehyde free adhesives in our engineered flooring, and more — and it all benefits you, our employees, and the planet.

So does our wood taste any different than a non-certified wood? Probably not. It just looks a lot greener.

—Jered