Thanks to the natural - of hardwoods and to modern forestry in the United States, we now grow twice as much hardwood as we use each year.
Substitutes can never duplicate the warmth and character of solid woods.
In the home, hardwoods lose moisture in dry air and contract. Conversely, when humidity is high, hardwoods absorb moisture from the air and expand slightly. In either case, hardwoods regain their original dimensions as humidity stabilizes. Much like a fingerprint, hardwoods are never repeated or engineered to artificial perfection. Each hardwood species has its own grain pattern, from the bold statements of oak and ashe to the more subdued looks of cherry and maple.