More and more of our customers ask us every day what options that they have for "green" flooring products and obviously the need has arisen for a more proactive approach to our environment. With more information about harsh and harmful additives, by-products, and hazardous components present in various building materials and the impact that these substances have on Mother Earth and our health, "green" products are in very high demand these days. Not only is health consciousness an issue, but also the sustainability of the forests worldwide. We are all aware of the greenhouse effect warnings that appear in the news almost daily, so taking a few extra steps to do what we can every day to ensure that our planet and our homes are safe and habitable places becomes not only a prudent choice, but a social obligation.
We at Floormall.com wish to offer our customers the opportunity to be responsible and take advantage of some of our excellent "green Friendly" products. All of the products that you are about to see are VOCs compliantvolatile organic compounds), come from manufacturers that practice responsible harvesting practices, and/ or come from quick and easily renewable sources (like Bamboo and Cork). (meaning that they contain little or no
Did you know that Bamboo is a grass product that grows incredibly fast and is generally harvested in 3-7 years? What about Cork, which comes from the Cork Oak tree that is never actually cut down- they just peel the bark off every 8-14 years! These are just two of the products listed below that would be excellent environmentally safe choices for your upcoming project. Remember: It is the choices that we make today that will impact the world that we live in tomorrow!
Green Flooring Choices:
Bamboo: Bamboo is a grass product harvested in China and Southeast Asia. It grows extremely fast- regenerating without need for replanting or fertilizers!
Cork: Harvested predominantly in the Mediterranean region of the world, cork flooring is made from the compressed bark of the cork tree. No trees are cut down at all!
Lyptus: a flooring product that is a hybrid of two species of eucalyptus trees. The trees grow to full size in less than 25 years and are being used extensively in replanting the rain forests of South America.
The FSC:
The Forest Stewardship Council was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. FSC sets forth principles, criteria, and standards that span economic, social, and environmental concerns. The FSC is the leading agency in our industry that determines what is considered environmentally responsible. They are recognized by the World Wildlife Fund as the benchmark for forest management standards that have now been applied in over 57 countries around the world. The manufacturers that you see listed in this area of our website are all certified members of the FSC, practicing responsible harvesting, production, and distribution of wood products worldwide.
The TFF:
The Tropical Forest Foundation is a non-profit, educational institution dedicated to the conservation of tropical forests through sustainable forestry. TFF has become widely recognized for establishing demonstration models and training schools to show the advantages and teach the principles of sustainable forest management/Reduced-impact Logging.
The Foundation's Board of Directors includes representatives from industry, government, science, academia, and conservation. Each member has an interest in seeing tropical forests renewed and sustained.
Borders create a frame effect in a particular room or area, and usually contrast to the main area of the room. For example, a simple installation of a medium colored wood such as strip white oak might include a border outlining the room in a contrasting darker species of wood such as Brazilian cherry. The possibilities are endless, and are not limited to wood only. Borders can incorporate multiple wood species, stone, marble, brass, stainless steel, nickel and other metals.
Medallions usually are installed in the main field of the floor, typically in areas such as foyers. Medallions can incorporate multiple wood species, and other mixed media, such as stone, metal and leather. Factory finished medallions can be routed into existing floors with minimal disruption. For more customized looks, such as a family crest, a professional wood flooring installer can work with you to select the species and colors that will best meet your needs.
Hand-distressing wood floors offers a unique look and antiqued appearance that appeals to many homeowners. Hand-scraping, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming, is the most-common distressing technique. Using tools such as chisels, planes, wire brushes, awls, ice picks and grinders, the installer will work with the wood to achieve a worn and distressed look. The end result will be a new floor that looks beautifully antiqued.
A little paint can transform an ordinary wood floor into something unique. For example, a painted border can transform your floor into a work of art reflecting your personal style – country, formal, or even patterns like free-flowing vines. For more dramatic painted design elements, consider creating an Oriental rug effect, or even marble. Your only limit is your imagination.
You can create a one-of-a-kind floor by mixing wood with other materials such as stone, tile, slate, marble, metal, and even leather. For example, highlighting a marble foyer with wood makes a dramatic entryway, while incorporating brushed nickel accents into your kitchen wood floor could accent your professional series appliances.
Exotic woods are available in a variety of colors and can add an entirely new look to any room. Want something with a pinkish-red hue to enhance your décor? Consider Bubinga from Africa. Is rustic more your style? Take a look at Australian Cypress, which is harder than domestic knotty pine. Is purple your passion? Purpleheart from Mexico will age to a deep purple or purplish brown. Want something sleek and dark? Wenge from Africa, will age to a very deep brown, almost black, color. With exotic wood species, the possibilities are endless.