all the green flooring options

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New York City · Know-How · Flooring

Buyer’s Guide to Green Flooring Materials

by Willem Maas, 11/08/06

Willem Maas wrote this article, with contributions from consultant

Marian Keeler .

No flooring product has zero impact on our planet, but some materialsare better than others. This buyer's guide will help you choose themost environmentally sound and healthy floor that meets your needs.

For a list of flooring products approved by our subject editors, seeGreenHomeGuide’s Flooring Directory.

Material Selection Tips Pros Cons Cost Recommended

Uses

Bamboo

Renewableresource. Fast-

growing grassthat can beselectivelyharvestedannually.

Look for bamboo products thathave no

formaldehydeadded.

* Renewableresource

* Extremely

durable

* Harder thanred oak or maple

* Overuse of natural bambooforests may be

destroyingthem

* Asiansources requiresignificantembodiedenergy for transport

$4 -$8 per squarefoot

* Bedroom* Living room* Family room* Dining room

* Kitchen* Entryway

Carpet

Green carpetsand area rugsare those madefrom naturalfibers or witha high contentof recycled

Look for The

Carpet and RugInstitute's GreenLabel Pluscertification.Area rugs andcarpet tiles are preferable to broadloom

* Carpet

industry isactivelyaddressing itsenvironmentalissues

* Synthetic

fibers aremade from petroleum, anonrenewableresource

* Difficult toclean

$4 and

up per squarefoot

* Formal areas

* Bedroom* Stairs

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http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/product/C113

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http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/member/27

http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/product/C113



syntheticfibers.

(wall-to-wall)carpet. * Can harbor

dirt, dust andmold

Cork

Cork is arenewableresource madefrom the bark of the cork oak.

Look for products thathave noformaldehydeadded. Avoidcork-vinylcomposites.

* Renewableresource

* Sometimeshas recycledcontent

* Easy toclean if properlysealed

* Good footsupport

* Indoor air qualityimpacts fromsealers used tocreate adurablesurface

* Europeansources resultin higher embodiedenergy for transport


* Kitchen* Family room

Linoleum

Sameingredientstoday as whenit wasinvented in

1863 -- linseedoil, cork dust,wood flour,tree resins,groundlimestone and pigments, all pressed onto a jute backing.

Look for "naturallinoleum." Vinylflooring issometimesgenericallycalled

"linoleum."

* Renewableingredients

* Often hasrecycledcontent

* 30- to 40-year lifespan

* Easy toclean

* Good footsupport

* Made inEurope,resulting insignificantembodiedenergy for transport

* Odor fromlinseed oil mayirritate some people

$4 per squarefoot

* Kitchen* Bathroom* Family room

Rubber

Virgin rubber is derivedfrom rubber trees, arenewableresource;

Almost all

rubber, exceptvirgin rubber,has a significantodor. Useindoors only inwell-ventilatedareas.

* Often has

recycledcontent

* Easy toclean

* Good foot

* Continual

off-gassing hasindoor air quality impact

$5 -

$7 per squarefoot

* Outdoors

* Well-ventilatedindoor space



recycledrubber reducestheenvironmental burden of

discardedtires.

support

* Can beinstalledwithout

adhesives

* Durable (20-year lifespan)

Stone

Naturalresource;durablematerial.

Look for locallymined andfabricated stone.Look for stonethat does nothave to besealed.

* Easy toclean

* Durable

* Stone is afinite resource

* Highembodiedenergy if stoneis mined or fabricatedoverseas

* Sealers produce potentiallyharmful VOCemissions


* Kitchen* Bathroom* Entryway* Fireplace

Tile

Durablematerial, oftenwith recycledcontent.

Look for locallymanufactured

tiles with highrecycled content.

* Easy toclean

* Durable

* Often hasrecycledcontent

* Highembodied

energy (to firetiles and producecementitiousmaterials)

* Seek localsources because of heaviness

$1 -$6 per

squarefoot

* Kitchen* Bathroom

* Entryway* Fireplace

Wood

Naturalmaterial;durable.

Look for ForestStewardshipCouncil-certified,salvaged or reclaimed wood.Ask for a chain-of-custody

* Renewableresource if from asustainablymanagedforest

* Low

*Conventionalforestry causesoverharvestinganddestruction of habitat


* Bedroom* Living room* Family room* Dining room* Stairs



"Conventional forestry causes overharvesting and destruction of habitat” This is a severely limited view of forestry. While there areinstances of commercial forestry having a net negative impact, thereality is that the majority of forestry happening in the world helps toprovide critical wildlife habitat along with the goods we all use

everyday. (toilet paper, asprin, cardboard, toothpaste, to name but afew). In addtion these managed forests help to filter our drinkingwater and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Forestry has comea long way in the 200 years it has been practiced in the U.S. To date,there is no other resource that can be managed sustainably to deliverthe triple bottom line of economic, ecologic, and social benefits.Without these managed forests, our rural areas will continue to beconverted into strip malls and bedroom communities. Use certifiedwood products in your home and support the original renewableresource.

On January 30, 2008, Dana Jones wrote:

I was also disappointed to see that under your carpet category you donot mention the one LEED approved soft floor covering. Wool Carpet.It’s renewable, biodegradeable, extremely easy to clean and lasts foryears. Wool carpet is actually used in hospitals and in some EPAfacilities because of the inherent characterisitcs it has to clean andpurify the air we breathe in a home or commercial environment. It alsodoes not emit off gasses and does not burn which is why it is also usedin hotels, casinos, cruise ships, and the United States Navy and CoastGuard.

Area rugs and carpet tiles, especially those made from syntheticproducts, are not great choices. Carpet tiles generally are made out of 100% synthetic petroleum based goods. Synthetic carpets and rugsand carpet tiles not only add to the landfill, but use an incredibleamount of energy to make. Wool carpets and rugs help control indoorair humidity also cutting down on energy costs. Anyone looking for arenewable flooring product that will last for years and provide comfortand safety underfoot should consider a wool product

On March 31, 2008, Heather wrote:

I would love to see further information regarding the greenconsiderations for these products in terms of installation. For example,what impact does the glue used to afix linoleum have?

all the green flooring options

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