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GREEN
In our increasingly environmentally conscious
society, “green” living is a growing trend. When considering hardwood
floors, there are several ecofriendly choices and alternatives that you
can make. Bear in mind that the eco-friendliest choices are typically not
the financially friendliest choices, and do have their drawbacks, as do
all flooring options.
SPECIES
Bamboo
It is the popular ecofriendly alternative to wood flooring here in
North America, and is praised for its durability and sustainability.
Bamboo, typically harvested in China and other parts of Asia, is a grass,
not a wood, and reaches maturity in roughly three years, a significantly
faster time period than the trees used for wood flooring. To give you some
perspective, an oak tree takes approximately 150 years to reach maturity.
The United States Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design) program accepts bamboo floors in its credit
system. The bamboo used for flooring here in the U.S. is typically split,
flattened, dried, and then laminated in layers with glue under high
pressure. Bamboo floors are not stained, but rather are steamed to achieve
one of two colors: natural and carbonized (caramel). However, bamboo can
be ordered pre-steaming and finishing, and can then be custom stained and
finished at the job site.
On the Janka Hardness Scale, carbonized/caramel
bamboo has a rating of 1120, while natural bamboo is quite a bit harder
with a rating of 1410. To give you an idea of the hardness these ratings
indicate, note that red oak sits on the scale at 1260. Despite its highly
praised durability, bamboo floor is susceptible to the same damage
as wood floors. The “grain” comes in two looks, depending on how the
bamboo is layered (vertically or horizontally). As mentioned, color
options are limited—not a problem if you prefer a more neutral color.
Bamboo can make for a rather beautiful flooring, and
is certainly comparable to wood flooring should you wish for an
alternative to wood. Its increasing popularity helps its availability, and
we do work with bamboo flooring. It is also a very reasonably priced
option.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is also referred to as recycled wood. It is
“harvested” from existing wood structures rather than from nature. In
addition to its eco-friendliness, it is in high demand for its appearance.
If character is what you seek, reclaimed wood can deliver it. It is not
generally used in rooms that have a modern or contemporary theme, as the
wood is not as uniform in look. It is increasingly popular in Arizona as
it fits quite well the rustic, country, and western styles of many Arizona
homes. Its historical value, strength and durability also recommend
reclaimed wood to customers—it has already withstood changes in
humidity, weather, and a range of abuses.
Reclaimed wood earns credits under the LEED green
building rating system, and certain products that are FSC (Forest
Stewardship Council)-certified can qualify under the LEED’s “certified
wood” category.
It is sometimes difficult to find high quality
antique woods, and for obvious reasons (aside from low supply and high
demand) you are limited in species of wood. In part due to the process of
retrieving used wood and making it ready to use as flooring, it tends to
be quite expensive.
Cork
Cork flooring is unique in that it is produced solely
from the bark of the Cork Oak; the bark is harvested from live, standing
trees every nine years after the trees have matured to 25 years—they are
never felled, and they regenerate the bark. Its extreme durability and
elasticity contribute to its appeal. Cork and its by-products are also
recyclable. Cork floating floor is made of three-layer, interlocking
planks, while cork parquet tiles are glued to the sub floor with a
water-based adhesive. Although it is one species, unlike bamboo cork
flooring is available in a variety of colors and patterns. Bugs hate cork,
and it both has good sound-absorbing properties and is a great option for
anyone with joint problems. It is generally thought to be warm and
aesthetically pleasing—a good insulator—and while it does not require
much maintenance and is more resilient than many woods, it is not
impervious to extreme wear or damage.
FINISHES
OSMO Polyx Oil
Finishes must meet what are called VOC content requirements. The
maximum VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content allowed varies by state;
Osmo POLYX Profi-Hardwax-Oil falls within the content requirements for
every state. POLYX is a quality, solvent-free hardwax-oil, and unlike
finishes like polyurethane, which create a plastic-like coating on top of
the wood, it instead penetrates the wood to form a sort of “net” with
the fibers of the wood. This helps preserve the look and feel of real
wood. It is micro-porous, which allows the wood to breathe and moisture to
evaporate. It is known for its high wear, water and dirt resistances.
Finished wood will not show water spots. This product is composed of
natural vegetable oils, plant waxes and resins, and because it does not
adhere to the surface but rather penetrates into the wood, it will not
peel or flake. This promotes elasticity within the wood and keeps the
floors healthy. This finish is repairable, which not only means you never
need to refinish your floors, but you can spot repair as needed. Because
this Profi-Hardwax-Oil does not contain biocides or preservatives, it is
safe for people, their pets and their plants when dry. There are no known
allergens at this time.
OSMO’s ecofriendly answer to hardwax oil is more advanced in
toughness and simplicity of maintenance, but it does, like the others,
require some level of regular maintenance. As with all finishes, your
floors are susceptible to normal wear and tear, scratches, water damage,
and other external damaging effects. Depending on wood species, degree of
sanding, etc., this product can vary from matt to satin-matt in sheen. We
do work with this product, but it is not often requested.
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