Welcome to Surface, a blog by Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. Join us in discussion about hardwood flooring wood grains & styles, home decor, green building products, trends and more.
I’ve always known I have been allergic to dust because it would make me sneeze - a lot. I thought it was something I could live with and just one of those nuisances in life that some people have to deal with and others just don’t. And so I trolled through most of my adolescent and teenage years just trying to stay away from dusty places ... that I could see. However, the real allergens that actually have caused me to develop allergic asthma can’t even be seen by the naked eye! They are dust mites, pollens and pet dander. These are things you can’t "see," but they infiltrate the environment in anything they can hang onto - mostly pillows, bedding, curtains and the main offender: CARPET.
As soon as I was educated to this fact, I promptly removed the carpet in my bedroom and revealed wood flooring that not only aided in ceasing my wheezing and coughing, but also incidentally looked much more handsome and welcoming than the carpet had. I ended up spending more time in my room than I ever could have before I had removed the carpet and vowed from that day forward there would be no carpet bigger than a throw-rug in my living space ever again! I’m really proud of this decision, as it has not only made me feel better physically, but I also have the peace of mind that I am not creating more non-biodegradable waste in the world from the chemicals used to maintain and produce carpet.
Another attribute I love about wood flooring is that it is so easy to keep clean; I can sweep it and damp-mop with an Earth-friendly mixture of a capful of vinegar and water and presto; good as new! Next time you’re walking in your home and sneezing or wheezing, take a moment to look around you—- your worst enemy could be right under your feet!
Posted on Jan 31, 2008 AT 03:38 AM in (0) Comments
If you are working on a new construction or renovation project, you’ve probably given some thought to making your home more eco-friendly. Using wide plank wood floors from a responsible provider can be a step in the right direction and here’s why:
Reclaimed wood gives another lifecycle to an existing material. Using it means that you will be straining our resources less and avoiding sending old materials to the landfill. When you are looking at providers, keep in mind that 3rd party certification like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will be a sign that the materials are credible - however, that certification is not the end-all be-all.
Newly sawn wood from a well-managed forest is another GREEN option. These forests can be found nationwide and offer a really good local option. Focusing on the use of local materials is a great approach because transportation increases the amount of carbon we emit into the atmosphere.
Posted on Jan 30, 2008 AT 02:37 AM in Green Building • (2) Comments
I had a client recently ask if it would be ok to install wood floors in a full bath, often used by kids in the home. It reminded me of a blog I visited a while ago asking the same question, and out of the thirty or so responses, it was a pretty good split between yes and no, ranging from "NO WAY" to "Yes, I have been living on them for over thirty years and I love them."
There really should be very little concern about putting wood floors in a full bath, just the way kitchens are perfectly acceptable today, as they both have been for hundreds of years. And your floors do not have to be a laminate or a pre-finished floor to make it work. To the contrary, a true traditional wood floor will be so much easier to maintain, and will stand the test of time, just as our ancestor’s floors have. I grew-up in a late 1800’s home with one bathroom, and six siblings. The floor was original wide pine, and it is probably still there today.
Here are a few things you want to think about when installing your floors in a bathroom that has a shower and/or a tub and a commode. Today’s bathrooms are well ventilated with a ceiling fan that wisks away the moisture. You can buy commodes with an insulated tank liner to help the sweating pipes from leaving water around ANY bathroom floor, and if you are doing a bathroom remodel, now would be a great time to have your plumber add a mixing valve to your commode, mixing warm water with the cold, to completely eliminate sweating.
A few more things to think about with traditional wood floors in a bathroom are: finding the most suitable finish for your home from all that is available today, using the best quality flooring to ensure stability of the boards, and assessing your true expectations of your flooring.
For a finish, I would suggest using a high resin tung oil, as this not only seals the wood, but it is the easiest finish to maintain that I have found. You can also back-seal the flooring and the sub floor to help prevent moisture from getting into the wood. If you are replacing your sub-floor, look into the wax impregnated OSB board, such as Adventec, as this will help seal moisture out.
As for the material, work with a company that understands wood, that will work with you on the installation methods, and is known for using only the best quality timbers available today. The installation can be perfect, but if the material is low quality, your chances of having problems are greatly increased. I would prefer to have a floor I can let acclimate to the home, then install it and put a good finish on it, rather then a pre-finished floor I have less control over.
Finally, what are your expectations? Are you looking for that perfect laminated, linoleum look, or is a natural wood floor, with a slight gap here and there, more your style? The beauty of real wood is unsurpassed, especially in today’s plastic world. And the wider the plank, the more real your floor will look. Don’t let a little puddle from the kids shower scare you away from having a beautiful floor. (Click here for some other tips to protect your wood floor.) The way we live in our homes today, with throw-rugs, and wiping up after ourselves, there really is nothing to be concerned about. GO FOR IT!
Posted on Jan 24, 2008 AT 08:22 PM in (2) Comments
With the market full of companies claiming to be GREEN, it’s more important than ever that we critically assess the intentions and actions of these supposedly eco-friendly companies. Third party product certifications are an insightful way to evaluate the product(s), but how will we - as consumers - ever really know what happens behind the scenes?
A few days ago, we received an email from an architect who was rightfully challenging our GREENness after he received a triplicate mailing, which (interestingly enough) advertised our AIA Continuing Education Program - Building Green: One Plank at a Time. This potential client stated his concern that - for a company claiming to be so green - we were sending him a mailer (contained within an envelope) instead of communicating via a more GREEN method like email.
His concern is admirable and valid. To this point, it’s refreshing to know that the public is being judicious in evaluating companies and their claims. We absolutely recognize the potential drain that such correspondence can place on our resources.
We have and will always be committed to reducing our carbon footprint, in every aspect of our business from procurement & manufacturing to sales & marketing. We pledge to the following:
—We have reduced the amount of printed materials that we use by over 25% over the past year and will continue to reduce our dependency on paper communications in the future.
—Where printed materials are the best medium for our customers to best understand our floors, we utilize the highest recycled paper content available and print exclusively with VOC-free soy ink.
—In many cases, as in the mailer and envelope that this client received, the printed items were created from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, 100% process chlorine free, post consumer recycled paper and were printed with soy ink.
—If any of you have additional questions or concerns about our internal procedures, I welcome your feedback. We are indubitably compelled to act within the best interests of Mother Nature and will work to make our practices increasingly transparent, as not to leave a doubt in your mind. For more insight into our efforts to remain faithful to our goal of conducting business in the most eco-friendly manner and to understand our passion for the planet, click here.
Posted on Jan 24, 2008 AT 04:52 AM in Green Building • (2) Comments
How long do you think that a home built today should last? 50 years? 100 years? 150 years? Incorporating durable materials into construction means that the product will last longer - they will not need to be replaced. When a product does not need to be replaced, that means less strain on our natural resources and fewer items going to the landfill.
Another aspect of durability that we should take into consideration is the concept of Timeless Architecture. Timeless Architecture takes into consideration that a product might be designed well enough to last - but the aesthetical implications need to be long-lasting, as well.
I use the example of avocado refrigerators. These were the stainless steel appliances of the 1970s. Everybody wanted one. Nowadays, many of these appliances are still working perfectly in people’s kitchens, but the durability of visual appeal is debatable.
So, the question becomes: how can you incorporate products into the design of a home that will not only last for years to come, but will also appeal from a design standpoint? Check out a couple sites where you can find eco-friendly products designed and built for timeless architecture:
Posted on Jan 24, 2008 AT 03:47 AM in Green Building • (0) Comments
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