Green Options in Hardsurface Floors

By Amy Ramirez, ASID Eco Committee Member
ReSource Floors, ASID Industry Partner

Thankfully “Green” is finally becoming a mainstream word. The green options amongst all finishing products are growing. However, many of these products have been “green washed”. Small steps towards being environmentally friendly are aggrandized for marketing purposes. I have actually been told that regular vinyl products are ecologically friendly because they lasts so long. Not quite. There are however some great options in the industry.

Mannington does have a sheet vinyl product, Relay RE, which is made with at least 35% recycled content. This may not seem like much but 20% of that is post consumer. They also have their Premium Tile Flooring collection that is made with content from post consumer drywall. Since the inception of his program in 2006 Mannington has reclaimed and recycled an average of 200 tons of drywall each year. www.mannington.com

Armstrong also has a number of environmentally friendly products. Migrations is a bio based VCT made of corn which of course is rapidly renewable. In addition, their Marmorette, which is their brand of linoleum, has been green before green was in. This material is made of rapidly renewable raw materials, linseed oil and jute, and contains recycled content, wood and cork flour. www.armstrong.com

There are also a variety of rubber floors that include up to 93% recycled post consumer material from truck tires.

These days there are many tiles that offer recycled content as well, however most of these are still pre consumer.

Finally, there are more options than ever if hardwood is what your client is interested in. The products containing the FSC or Forest Stewardship Councils’ certification is higher than ever before. In addition, there are many color and style options now available in the renewable products like cork, bamboo or eucalyptus.

Amy Ramirez is the Design Center Manager at ReSource Floors and has been in the flooring business for ten years. ReSource Floors has provided the premier full service flooring experience since 1989. We promote sustainable business practices throughout our organization by taking a holistic approach to the environment and our goal of sustainability. We are proud to say that we recycle most of the carpet and pad we demo from job sites, we have two LEED accredited professionals on staff to assist our customers in eco projects and we offer a wide array of environmentally friendly products in our showroom.

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Eco-Friendly Tile for the Eco-Conscious

by Stephanie Duerden, Brand Experience Coordinator
Oceanside Glasstile, ASID Industry Partner

Ready to pair up with Mother Earth on your next home makeover? Recycled tile has gone above and beyond the grip of imagination. There is no longer a cookie cutter market for ceramic and porcelain tile (although the options are still available). Tile is now being created from a number of different resources. Consider the look you are going for and then consider the product that best fits your design:

Aluminum: A sustainable flooring option that's beginning to gain momentum is the use of recycled metal flooring tiles. Most often made of aluminum, these tiles are extremely durable, heat resistant up to 300F and don't hold fingerprint marks like stainless steel is prone to. The manufacturing process in creating these tiles is much the same as all other aluminum recycling. The metal is ground into small pieces then melted down and checked for impurities. Once the recycled material has been cleared, it's molded into large ingots, or castings, that are then flattened to the desired thickness. When made into flooring tiles, the finish doesn't have to be a shiny metallic. Depending on your styling tastes, you can also select tiles that have a matte or sandblasted finish.  Companies to consider: Natural Built Home, Eco Friendly Flooring, Elements of Green.

Glass: Glass is gorgeous to say the least. Its translucent nature and ability to provide an extensive color palette and multiple surface finishes make it a fit for just about anyone. Glass is also durable; it is one of the few materials that do not lose their strength or purity through recycling processes. Another wonderful quality of glass tile is that, in most cases, it is impervious and is acceptable for installation from floor to ceiling and everything in between. It also makes an exceptional pool project. Looking to add a bling in your house? Then glass is the way to go! Companies to consider: Oceanside Glasstile, Modwalls, Hakatai. . . there are many in the market, don’t be shy to do your research.

Bamboo: The environmental balance for bamboo is certainly positive due to the ways in which it is grown and harvested. Every year the parent bamboo plant develops new stems, so the stems can be harvested after 5 years in a mature plantation without decreasing the size of the forest. Bamboo is a very durable material; the hardness of the wood is deemed to be just a bit harder than American Oak. Thus, the floor can be sanded a number of times over the years with little wear. There is also the ability to choose a finish just like any wood, so the versatility of this material is another great attribute. Companies to consider: Moso-Bamboo, Cali-Bamboo, Kirei . . . this product is a little newer to the market so finding manufactures gets more tricky.

Cork: When cork comes to mind, durability seems questionable; however, it’s just the opposite. Cork is a very durable material that has a lot of give and holds heat very well. The tiles are waterproof and can be used in wet locations like bathrooms or around a swimming pool. Cork is a softer material, so some find it terrifying to see an impression left behind as they walk across the floor; however, like a sponge or foam, the cork returns to its original volume once pressure is removed. When it comes to design, the versatility is endless; you can maintain its natural coloring or add a dye element that provides opportunities for intricate detailing or full monochromatic fields.  Companies to consider: Habitus, Yemm & Hart Green Materials, Capri Cork

CORK FLOORING: A Naturally Green Solution for Designer Floors

by David McCowan
ProSource Wholesale Flooring, ASID Industry Partner

Since the early 1900’s, cork has been used as a natural alternative flooring surface. Cork flooring is a healthy choice that will perform to the standards of today’s consumer for years and years.

Constructed of a renewable material, cork flooring is made from the bark of the cork tree. This is very environmentally friendly, as the bark will replenish itself time and time again.

Also, due to the repeated intervals during which a cork tree re-grows its bark, it will absorb 5 times as much carbon dioxide as a tree with a full growth of bark. And, cork flooring is made from the leftover material used in the wine bottle stopper industry, thereby keeping waste out of the landfill.

Today’s cork floors are very durable. They are sealed with 5 coats of UV cured acrylic finish.

A few more reasons that cork is a great choice for flooring:
Sustainability. Cork trees live for over 200 years and can be harvested every 9 to 11 years.

E-1 Manufacturing Standards. Most cork flooring is manufactured in Portugal where there are very strict laws regarding chemical content, work environment, and waste material. These floors pass rigorous environmental standards set by the European E-1, which is the equivalent to the United States EPA.

Comfortable and Resilient. Cork provides a cushion underfoot and bounces back from heel and furniture marks better that wood, carpet, and vinyl floors.

Thermal and Acoustic Insulator. Cork reduces impact noise and therefore is a great flooring choice for high-rise applications. Cork is also a very good insulator. It’s warmer in winter and cooler in summer than many other flooring products, thus reducing heating and air conditioning costs.

Anti-microbial and Insect Repellent. Suberin is an inherent substance in cork and is a natural insect repellent. The underside of the cork plank is treated with Microban to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

For more information or to see the full line of Natural Cork Flooring, please contact ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings or visit http://www.prosourcefloors.com/.