Ecological Issues

Many people worry that using wood for home fittings such as flooring depletes the world's natural resources, and environmental action groups have quite rightly protested against illegal logging in rainforests. However, such publicity masks the fact that many countries have already tackled the issue by establishing sustainable forests. Timber certification may be the way forward with labels/certificates that prove wood comes from acceptable sources.

But this is a complex issue, partly because wood can pass through so many hands before it reaches your home, and partly because there are around 45 schemes worldwide for certifying wood. A simple rule of thumb is that wood from an established and reputable supplier will almost certainly come from a sustainable source.

Despite conservation concerns, the truth is that most wood is a wonderful product of, and for, the environment. Trees absorb the carbon dioxide that is a big cause of global warming and turn it back into breathable oxygen. Managed forests providing timber for building and furnishing at least stabilize and frequently increase tree numbers. Wood is non-toxic and recyclable and in 'sustainably managed' Canada and Scandinavia, at least two trees are planted for each one cut down.

Reclaimed Flooring

The ultimate source. Several area suppliers offer floorings made from re-claimed timber, for the beauty of naturally aged wood. Or you can rescue and re-lay old floorings from schools, warehouses and churches. Wood floors and parquets are the expression of a century-old expertise. Master woodworkers were adept at method of sawing and assembling oak in a way that would allow this wood its richest expression.

Bamboo Flooring—An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Hardwood Flooring?

The modern, environmentally friendly and durable alternative to hardwood is bamboo flooring. Being a grass, as opposed to timber, gives bamboo the edge as not only a building product (being strong and at the same time flexible), but also as a sustainable resource: wood takes approximately 15-20 years to reach maturity, whereas the non-harmful harvesting of bamboo takes a mere 3 to 5 years. Bamboo has traditionally been the material of choice in most of Asia, and it is only recently that its benefits and environmental properties have begun to be utilized more fully in the west.

The growth in popularity in recent years for wood flooring has increased the burden on already stretched timber resources. Bamboo flooring shares many of the properties that attract discerning customers to hardwood; it's low maintenance, hard wearing, and looks contemporary while having a timeless appeal.

Due to its flexibility as a material, bamboo flooring has a broad appeal that can be manipulated to suit a variety of styles. Its range of applications varies from period homes to offices, designer hotels and bars.

As well as being environmentally sound, bamboo flooring is competitively priced and easy to fit. Ease of fitting is always a worry for the prospective purchaser, but the process has been simplified by the formulation of several reliable methods.

Solas LLC
Phone: (503) 349-0750

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