Live Smart     |     home
Cell Phone Emergency Uses You did not know you could do   |   Make your own Paint   |   Mold How to Clear out and it's implications on your health   |   62 ways you can do your part to stop global warming   |   Government Officials and their voting trends on Enviromental Issues   |   Ethical BioDiesel that won't cause Famine   |     Outer Space   |   Choosing a Low Flow Toilet   |   Government Run Opt Out Lists:   |   Solar Water Heating System Saves $   |   Preserve Navajo Four Corners   |   Bee Emergency!!!!!   |   Earth Friendly way to put in hardwood floors   |   Artic Thaw Polar Bear Rescue   |   BEWARE OF THIS: INSURER'S USE THIS AGAINST YOU   |   Solar powered trash recycling!!   |   Global Destruction Time Line   |   Human Impact on the Oceans Unbelievably BAD   |   Dooms Day Vault for Seeds   |   House Fires caused by Air Freshner Plug In's Do Not USE   |   How to Compost   |   How to Recycle Cell Phones   |   Save Money on Electricity and Stop Global Warming Green house effect from your Home   |   Support Sustainable Farming Practices   |   BioDiesel Pros and Cons   |   Toxic House...Find out before you buy

Earth Friendly way to put in hardwood floors

return to Living Green
March 23, 2007

Sustainable Hardwood Floor Options

by Alison Rogers

Hardwood flooring has long been a popular choice among homeowners.
It's beautiful, easy to clean, and unlike carpet, doesn't harbor
harmful chemicals, dirt or dust mites that can affect indoor air
quality. Properly installed, high-quality hardwood floors can last for
decades, and even add value to a home.

If you're considering a new hardwood floor, but want to stay true to
your earth-friendly ideals, you're in luck -- there's a long list of
sustainable hardwood flooring products to choose from. We've assembled
a few to get you started. Keep reading for a list of companies that
provide them.

Certified Wood Flooring

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a nonprofit group that
promotes environmentally responsible forestry practices. Companies can
offer peace of mind to consumers by displaying the FSC's stamp of
approval, which is awarded by third-party organizations that ensure
certain stewardship standards have been met.

You don't have to sacrifice your options when you choose responsibly.
A wide range of flooring woods come with the FSC stamp, including
cherry, maple, birch, ash, Douglas fir, oak and more.

Reclaimed Wood Flooring

As the name implies, timber salvaged from old buildings, river
bottoms, or even trees removed from urban settings can become your new
hardwood floor. The finished product can have either a like-new or
antique appearance, and comes in a variety of lengths and widths.
Availability can be unpredictable, so plan as far in advance as
possible.

Suppressed Wood Flooring

From time to time, a forest can become overly dense, resulting in
disease and fire susceptibility. Small trees in the forest's
understory are the casualties of the unavoidable thinning-out process,
but there's good news: They make excellent hardwood floors.

Less Expensive Wood Flooring

Some softwoods, such as pine or spruce, also make excellent lower-cost
floors. To learn more about choosing and installing softwood floors,
go to
www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Home-Building/2006-10-01/Install-a-Beautiful-Affordable-Wood-Floor.aspx

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Home-Building/2006-10-01/Install-a-Beautiful-Affordable-Wood-Floor.aspx


Once you've chosen the perfect wood floor, don't reverse your efforts
to lessen your home's impact on the Earth by using toxic finishes and
adhesives during the installation process. Water-based products are
less energy-intensive to manufacture, less polluting when disposed of,
and less threatening to indoor air quality.

Where to find:

Certified wood
Dwight Lewis Lumber/Lewis Lumber Products

Picture Rocks, Pa.
www.lewislp.com ( http://www.lewislp.com/ )

Cascadia Forest Goods, LLC
Dexter, Ore.
www.cascadiaforestgoods.com ( http://www.cascadiaforestgoods.com/ )

Plaza Hardwood, Inc.
Santa Fe, N.M.
www.plzfloor.com ( http://www.plzfloor.com/ )

Tembec, Inc., Huntsville Division
Hunstville, ON, Canada
www.muskokaflooring.com ( http://www.muskokaflooring.com/ )

Reclaimed Wood
Citilog
Ewing, N.J.
www.citilogs.com ( http://www.citilogs.com/ )

Elmwood Reclaimed Timber
Kansas City, Mo.
www.elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com
http://www.elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com/

Vintage Timberworks
Temecula, Calif.
www.vintagetimber.com ( http://www.vintagetimber.com/ )

Big Timberworks, Inc.
Gallatin Gateway, Mont.
www.bigtimberworks.com
http://www.bigtimberworks.com/

Vintage Material Supply
Austin, Texas
www.vintagematerialsupply.com
http://www.vintagematerialsupply.com/


Suppressed Wood
Green Mountain Woodworks
Phoenix, Ore.
www.greenmountainwoodworks.com (
http://www.greenmountainwoodworks.com/ )

GO TO MOTHER EARTH LIVING  THIS IS A GREAT WEB SITE AND MAGAZINE

Read More:
http://www.motherearthliving.com/issues/motherearthliving/diy/hardwood-floor-options_407-1.html
__________________________________________________________

Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time
by David Johnston and Kim Master
It's time to discover how to adopt a more self-reliant lifestyle. And
with recent trends in the cost of energy, the state of the
environment, and the quality and safety of our food, a simplified way
of living makes more and more sense every day. Thats why Mother Earth
News has put together the Mother Earth News Wiser Living Book Series.
Save 20% when you order Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room
at a Time this week's featured book from the Wiser Living Book
Series.
Whether because of changing lifestyles or simply because existing
houses are becoming outdated, millions of North Americans are
renovating their homes every year, spending more money annually on
renovation than on new-home construction. But renovations can be
fraught with unintended consequences like indoor air pollution. How do
you remodel in a healthy, environmentally friendly way?
Green Remodeling is a comprehensive guide beginning with the
advantages of remodeling. Buildings are responsible for 40% of
worldwide energy flow and material use; so how you remodel can make a
difference. Upgrading furnaces, cabinets and toilets means less fossil
fuel pollution, reduced resource depletion and fewer health risks.
Green remodeling is more energy-efficient, more resource-conserving
and healthier for occupants then traditional remodeling and creates
buildings that are more affordable to build, operate and maintain.
For a limited time save 20% when you order Green Remodeling.
Normally: $29.95 Today Only: $23.95
http://tinyurl.com/2xklg9 ( http://tinyurl.com/2xklg9 )

___________________________________________________________

Recent Tips from Mother Earth Living

How to Sharpen a Chainsaw
by Aubrey Vaughn | March 15, 2007
A well-sharpened chainsaw can save you time and energy on a farm or
homestead. Learn how to sharpen a chainsaw and get the fastest, safest
use out of this essential tool.

_________________________________________________________
  Get Mother Earth Living Tips sent directly to you:
http://www.motherearthliving.com/cgi-bin/udt/um.register.account











 None of what is recommend in this site is to be in leu of proper medical help.  We do not treat disease in any way.
 We are here to educate you and give you information on the alternative processes available to you so that you
can make informed decisions and take charge of your own health issues.  We do not accept any liability for the
advise and products we offer.  We are required to advise you that none of the information or products offered
on this site is accepted by the AMA nor the FDA.  Please be advised and always seek professional medical
advise when undertaking any suggestions in this site. Disclaimers and Policy