One of the first things home owners think of when embarking on a
home improvement project is pulling up that dusty, stained and
frayed old carpet. The next step is deciding what to put in its
place - new carpet or some other type of flooring.
A trendy new craze sweeping the country is to replace existing
carpet with environmentally friendly flooring such as reclaimed
wood, linoleum, cork or bamboo. Such types of flooring are not
only helpful to the environment, but are also coveted for their
exquisite beauty, texture and form.
People are fast realizing the dangers of using products for the
home that can be detrimental to the environment and to the
residents who live in the home. Jumping on the bandwagon,
architects, builders and decorators are suggesting flooring
products that protect the environment and the people who live
and work in the buildings.
Advantages of Choosing Environment-Friendly Flooring Over
Carpeting
If you've ever pulled up used carpeting in a home or other
heavily-trafficked area, you've probably been aghast at the
debris and filth hidden in the carpet and padding. The truth is
that no matter how fanatical you are about vacuuming and
shampooing your carpet, residue, mold and mildew will accumulate
in the fibers beneath. The carpet then becomes an allergen
magnet, hording germs that can affect humans and pets who come
in contact with it.
Besides the advantage of avoiding allergens, the durability and
beauty of wood or other environmentally correct floorings
remains undisputed. It is easily cleaned and comes in a wide
variety of patterns and colors to fit any décor.
Linoleum is resilient and is made from renewable substances of
the earth or recycled remnants, but linoleum itself cannot be
recycled because of the glue used to install it. Still, the long
life gained from using linoleum has made it a popular choice for
homes and offices.
The use of "reclaimed" wood found in old buildings such as
barns, hotels or railroad cars is an emerging trend across the
country. While the obvious character and patina of these woods
are lovely and desirable, the cost can be somewhat prohibitive
at around $30 per square foot. Furthermore, shoppers need to be
careful to ensure they buy from a trusted source. There is also
the danger of running out of wood before the project is
completed if you aren't sure to measure correctly and buy the
right amount of materials.
Newer products, such as cork and bamboo are excellent choices to
use in buildings that have energy savers such as radiant heat.
Besides saving on energy costs, cork and bamboo can be bought
for much less than wood and still have the "green tag" of being
friendly to the environment.
Transform Your Home or Office with Cork or Bamboo
Flooring
The rapid disappearances of our forests and rainforests have led
to the research and development of new products in flooring and
the reemergence of some old favorites. Cork and bamboo are
forerunners in this endeavor.
Cork flooring has been
popular in the United States since the 1950s. The avocado and
gold colored carpet of the 70s temporarily replaced its
prominence in the flooring market, but cork has now found new
acceptance in environmentally conscious homes.
Anti-microbial and cushiony soft, cork is an ideal choice for
parents who want to keep their homes free of allergens and also
enjoy a tranquil existence by diminishing noise.
Bamboo flooring is
both resilient and beautiful. Its colors, ranging from natural
to amber, create an excellent background for any style of
furniture or accessories. The durability of bamboo makes it a
superior choice, and because of its rapid growth, bamboo usage
helps to preserve our forests.
While bamboo is lightweight, it is as hard as oak, maple or
redwood and has the added advantages of expanding and
contracting less. It comes in tongue and groove planks for ease
of installation. What's more, bamboo's natural imperfections
lend an air of exclusivity to its look.
Jump On the "Build Green" Bandwagon When You Build or
Renovate
Almost every decorating or architectural magazine that you see
on the stands contains at least one article about being
environmentally conscious when you build or renovate.
Indeed, there are many types of flooring that you can select to
conserve energy and preserve our forests and other resources
while avoiding excessive costs or future problems. Choosing the
appropriate flooring for your home or office is a major decision
- one that you will probably live with for a long time.
Choose wisely and "build green" whenever you can. It's a great
way to show that you care about our earth and its future.
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