| 1. Work with the existing floor. | | | | have to be managed to meet the social, economic, |
| Working with what you already have is the winner | | | | ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and |
| for green flooring. If you're living with a 25 year old | | | | future generations." By purchasing wood products |
| stinky carpet, you not doing yourself or anyone a | | | | with the FCS label, you are purchasing wood that has |
| favor by leaving it there, so rip it up and make a | | | | been harvested in the most environmentally friendly |
| change. You might have flooring underneath it that | | | | way possible. |
| can be resurfaced or refinished. The "greenest" and | | | | 4. Cork From the Cork Tree |
| he cheapest thing to do it to work with the floor | | | | No longer just the "plug in the jug", cork flooring is |
| that's already in place. Call a local flooring contractor | | | | quickly gaining popularity because of its |
| to see what can be done with the floor you already | | | | eco-friendliness. Cork is made from the bark of the |
| have Local Construction Pros is a good place to start. | | | | tree, and this bark grows back, so the tree does not |
| 2. Use Reclaimed Lumber | | | | have to be cut down. The tree will continue to live, |
| Reclaimed wood, which is recovered from old barns, | | | | grow, and produce more cork - cool right? |
| warehouses, and other old building, is the greenest | | | | 5. Big Bamboo |
| flooring option since there is no killing of trees. | | | | Beautiful looking and ultra hard Bamboo flooring is in |
| Reclaimed lumber can be very beautiful and have | | | | the top 5 most green flooring option, because |
| tons of character as well, plus you can enjoy | | | | bamboo can be harvested after only 5 or 6 years, |
| knowing that no new trees were harvested to build | | | | instead of 50 or 75 years for normal hardwood |
| your new hardwood floor. Ask you flooring | | | | varieties. This makes bamboo flooring one of the |
| contractor to help you find good reclaimed lumber. | | | | most eco-friendly flooring options today. |
| 3. Sustainably Harvested Hardwood | | | | TIP: Remember to ask your contractor if they can |
| To be considered certified sustainable hardwood the | | | | send your old flooring to the recycling plant instead |
| Forest Stewardship Council (FCS) states, "the forests | | | | of a landfill. |