Which material do you use for flooring?
Last Post 15 Jul 2010 02:12 PM by rustyjames. 13 Replies.
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MaylindaUser is Offline
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12 Mar 2010 01:43 AM
As is known to us all, protecting the environment is very important. Can you tell us which material do you use for flooring? Bamboo, wood or complex flooring ?
Bruce FreyUser is Offline
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13 Mar 2010 04:00 AM
You can argue the wood floor issue from many points of view, but if you want a truly green floor covering, consider "cradle to cradle" carpeting from Shaw (and others).

Bruce
aardvarcusUser is Offline
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13 Mar 2010 12:36 PM
Wood is very green in many aspects, but only if it is harvested from a sustainable forest, AKA they replanted the trees they cut down. Just as Bruce mentioned about carpets, there are many different floor coverings that can be considered "Green", I would be more concerned about finding the type that fit your lifestyle, and then selecting a manufacturer that produces it green. For example, if you have dogs running in and out of your house, even the greenest carpet isn't very green if it needs to be replaced often. By the same token, wood isn't that "green" if you end up installing giant rugs over it because you like their feel when you could have just installed carpet.
MaylindaUser is Offline
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14 Mar 2010 08:48 PM
Thanks for aardvarcus' advice. You have listed the specific situations. My house is covered by wood flooring and no pets in house.
bsandersUser is Offline
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15 Mar 2010 07:52 PM
Southern red oak, harvested and milled here in the South near where I live. No high tech glue, no complex manufacturing, and no long distance shipping. Five coats of Varathane water based floor finish and it is absolutely gorgeous. I'll never bring carpet into this house again.
MaylindaUser is Offline
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16 Mar 2010 12:55 AM
Maybe Southern red oak is suitable for flooring, while it is seldom used in China. Anyway,thanks for your suggestion.
Green_lightingUser is Offline
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08 Apr 2010 03:33 PM
I agree with Maylinda.

That being said, I love bamboo! I'd go with that, but be sure to treat it so it doesn't get moldy or otherwise destroyed.
Green_lighting Your source for green lighting since 2002. www.electricalmarketplace.com
YggdrasillUser is Offline
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12 Apr 2010 01:18 PM
I would like to add to aardvarcus' post.

Absolutely, choose wood from a sustainable source.  The best is salvaged wood, wood taken from deconstructed buildings.  There is a lot of it around.  If you go with new wood, get something that is FSC or Smartwood certified.  I lot of so-called sustainable wood products are grown in plantations, especially bamboo and eucalyptus.  Sometimes these are sustainably managed, sometimes not.  Certification is your best hedge against supporting unsustainable practices.

www.ecotimber.com is a retailer that shows some of the wood types available, and has good info on selecting sustainable floor products.

Good luck!
bobarchitect39User is Offline
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14 Jun 2010 02:39 PM
Definitely go with wood over bamboo, it will make for much easier work (obviously be sure to check where it comes from, and that it is from the kind of source you are looking for).  If you are looking for somewhere to find it I recommend that you go to the McGraw Hill Sweets Network.  From my past experiences, I have found that they offer the most options for me when looking for supplies.  Good Luck!!!!1
bobarchitect39User is Offline
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14 Jun 2010 02:40 PM
Definitely go with wood over bamboo, it will make for much easier work (obviously be sure to check where it comes from, and that it is from the kind of source you are looking for).  If you are looking for somewhere to find it I recommend that you go to the McGraw Hill Sweets Network.  From my past experiences, I have found that they offer the most options for me when looking for supplies.

GOOD LUCK!!!
cmkavalaUser is Offline
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14 Jun 2010 07:49 PM
consider coconut palm wood

http://www.plyboo.com/sideways.html
Chris Kavala
info@southernsips.com
1-877-321-SIPS
pondproUser is Offline
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15 Jul 2010 09:28 AM
Complex flooring, i think its the best flooring materiel.
EPDM Liner | Fish Ponds
AltonUser is Offline
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15 Jul 2010 12:40 PM
What is complex flooring?
Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
Auburn, Alabama
E-mail: alton at auburn dot edu
rustyjamesUser is Offline
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15 Jul 2010 02:12 PM
Linoleum is another material that's considered sustainable.
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