Ipe Wood Decking & Siding: Is it Sustainable?

The Ipe Wood Decking & Siding Dilemma   Ipe wood decking, with its unique beauty, has steadily risen as a favorite in architecture and design circles. But there’s a darker side to this popular choice, casting a shadow over its durability and strength. Harvesting Ipe wood for decking or other projects contributes to tropical deforestation. … Read more

Reclaimed Teak: Why This Wood is a Top Choice

Teak is one of the most beautiful woods in the world. Its warm, luscious honey-brown color and tight, dense grain are highly sought after by many of the best architects and designers in the industry. It is a versatile wood and can be found as paneling, flooring, siding, furniture and decking. For any application, interior … Read more

What is Reclaimed Wood? (& Other Frequently Asked Questions)

Reclaimed wood is gaining significant popularity as a building material, finding its way into a wide range of spaces, including renowned establishments like Google’s offices and local coffee shops. Its appeal is particularly strong in commercial projects, thanks to its multitude of health benefits, sustainable attributes, captivating story, and breathtaking aesthetic. At TerraMai, we receive … Read more

Stairs Worth Staring At: How to Make Stair Treads Beautiful

Stairs are an architectural feature that not only provide an opportunity to create a focal point but well-designed, beautiful stairs encourage physical activity and create opportunities for spontaneous interactions and can even be places for collaboration. With the biophilic movement and building standards like WELL, Fitwel and Living Building Challenge, stairs present interesting opportunities to … Read more

Blackened & Burned Wood: Why Shou Sugi Ban is More Than A Design Trend

This year, there is a bevy of new, interesting design trends. Almost all of these trends have three things in common: biophilia, sustainability, and authenticity. These goals are what underlie some of the most popular design trends today, from reclaimed wood to net-zero energy usage. Architects and designers are looking for new and innovative ways … Read more

How Reclaimed Wood Achieves Environmental and Aesthetic Objectives in Architecture

The crossroads of aesthetic and sustainable design objectives has always piqued my interest. Aesthetics are not limited by sustainability but it is interesting to view sustainable design as a way to achieve certain aesthetic objectives. Eco-friendly building design is mainstream thinking in the Architecture & Design world, and that juncture offers exciting opportunities to create … Read more

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