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Eco-Conscious Home Flooring
For many people considering flooring options for their home, the choices traditionally have been few - carpet or wood (real or laminate) for most of the house or condo, and some type of tile for bathrooms and kitchens.
As we learn more about the benefits of sustainable materials and see these options available in many stores, it is good to understand and consider choices that are better for the environment and still a good match for your decorating and living needs.
Wood is extremely earth-friendly with many eco-supportive characteristics. It is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, non-toxic, and energy-efficient to grow and manufacture. The key is understanding how the wood being sold is harvested, which in large part determines its sustainability. When considering wood flooring, be sure to do your homework and ask the retailer the right questions.
Eco-friendly wood flooring originates from forests that are managed sustainably and certified as such. Some product also comes from recycled and reclaimed sources like torn-down buildings and structures, along with orchard trees that no longer produce.
Earth-friendly producers are also using long-lasting natural materials - such as rubber, bamboo and palm - that divert harvesting from hardwood forests. These producers also are utilizing manufacturing methods designed to minimize harmful emissions.
For carpet and rugs, look for products made from natural fibers with little or no chemical treatment and with natural-fiber backing and fewer toxic adhesives.
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