Surface Blog
Lindsay Barczuk
Hey, I’m Lindsay Barczuk. I have been working for Carlisle for 3 years now out of the Denver office. I was originally hired as an Office Manager and spent most of my time keeping operations, IT, and other processes running smoothly. During the first few years, I learned a lot about wood and our practices. When I had some extra time, I offered my services and got involved with other aspects of the company, like sales and marketing.
All entries by Lindsay Barczuk
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55,000 Ways To Live Greener
Posted by Lindsay Barczuk
In the spirit of Earth Day, Carlisle has challenged its employees to commit to greening one aspect of their personal lives. We figure that, over the course of 365 days, our 150+ employees will reduce the drain on natural resources in over 55,000 ways!
Some of the suggestions we made are:
- Bring in a coffee mug and stop using the paper/styrofoam cups
- Buy reusable bags instead of using paper or plastic at the store
- Switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs
- Walk or take public transportation instead of driving once a week
- Support local business to cut back on transportation demands
- Buy organic - you'll reduce the amount of pesticides in our food chain
- Step up your recycling
- If you are having a baby, consider cloth diapers
- Bank online - stop your paper statements
- Remove yourself from mailing lists
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LEED vs. Energy Star Ratings
Posted by Lindsay Barczuk
Green Building Programs and Standards are emerging everywhere. While many are casually compiled and branded, there are a lot of strong programs out there. Two of the leading programs are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and EnergyStar.
The LEED Program is a product of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council). I think the LEED is strong for two reasons: 1) it takes into consideration different building types - there are different LEED programs for Homes, Schools, Retail, Healthcare, and more; and 2) it considers a broad scope of Green Building objectives - including Materials & Resources, Water Efficiency, Site Sustainability, and Indoor Environmental Quality. In contrast, the LEED program has been criticized for 1) having limited emphasis on lifecycle analysis; and 2) demanding a higher implementation cost.
Energy Star, on the other hand, is a residential program that focuses primarily on energy efficiency and indoor air quality. This program appeals to homeowners because it evaluates and makes recommendations on improving the heating, cooling, and water systems within a home - all of these improvements will translate into savings on the energy bill. This government program also offers tax benefits to subscribers - another popular and tangible enhancement. Unfortunately, this program does not consider other Green Building objectives, like Material or Site Selection.
Have any of you been a part of one of these or another Green Building program? What was your experience like?
Posted on April 17, 2008 at 10:42 AM in Green Building • (2) Comments
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Trees vs. Solar Panels: A Green Dilemma
Posted by Lindsay Barczuk
As green initiatives are implemented into our communities, I think we'll see more and more unexpected contradictions. In this case, we are talking about the tree vs. the solar panel. The New York Times recently reported on an incident in California, in which one neighbor's treasured redwoods block the direct sunlight from hitting another neighbor's solar panels. The battle culminated in a courtroom and a judge ordered that the tree growing neighbors must ensure that no more than 10% of the panels are blocked - risking fines of $1000/day for infringement.
Not too long ago, I read about a similar issue in local Denver. Have any of you come across your own versions of this impending dilemma?
Posted on April 8, 2008 at 04:36 PM in Green Building • (0) Comments
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AIA-CEU and Carlisle
Posted by Lindsay Barczuk
The AIA, American Institute of Architects, is a coalition of over 83,000 members - including licensed architects, designers, corporate sponsors, and government representatives. The organization is multi-faceted; however one of the foremost initiatives is ongoing education.
For us, the opportunity to present is about getting the chance to educate key decision makers on the application of our products. Currently, we offer three approved courses - each at 1.5 (CEU) Continuing Education Units and 1 Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) unit:
- Wide Plank Wood Floors Over Radiant Heat: Yes You Can!
- Antique Woods: Reclaiming the Past
- Building Green: One Plank at a Time
Are any of you architects interested in learning more about our AIA-CEU program? For the rest of you, don't you think it's critical that our architects stay update on available products and applications? What other seminar topics do you think we should consider covering?
Posted on April 8, 2008 at 04:10 PM in (2) Comments
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Reclaimed vs. Antique Wood
Posted by Lindsay Barczuk
You may have noticed in our green literature that we refer to our products as "Antique Reclaimed", as opposed to using the words "antique" or "reclaimed" separately. While many of us think the terms can be used interchangeably, there is actually a distinct difference between the two.
Dictionary.com defines each word as:
Antique - any work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, or the like, created or produced in a former period, or, according to U.S. customs laws, 100 years before date of purchase.
Reclaimed - Something brought into or returned to a suitable condition for use, as cultivation or habitation.
Just because something is reclaimed does not mean that it is antique. Think of a 20 year old basketball court: someone could salvage those boards and sell them as reclaimed but they are not considered antique. This 20 year old floor could be FSC certified as "Post-Consumer Reclaimed" but it does not have nearly the charm of our Antique Reclaimed floors.
If you are shopping other "reclaimed" products, make sure to ask if they are also Antique - as it will add patina and allure to your home.
Posted on April 3, 2008 at 02:44 PM in Hardwood Flooring • (0) Comments
Do any of you plan on participating in a similar commitment? Do you have any other suggestions of simple ways to make a difference?
Posted on April 21, 2008 at 12:08 PM in Green Building • (0) Comments
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