Carlisle Wide Plank Floors

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• 100 Mile Decorating

  Posted by Lesley Anderson

  You may have heard of the hundred mile diet -- purchasing produce and other food items grown, raised or created within 100 miles of your home -- in order to make life a bit greener and preserve the livelihood of local farmers and other small businesses. But have you heard of hundred mile decorating? This article talks about the environmental and local business benefits of decorating your home with the same approach as the hundred mile diet.

  Hundred mile decorating takes the concept of "green home decorating" to a new level. In addition to being cautious of the materials your furnishings and decorations are made out of, there is the added  environmental benefit of buying locally. This means no jet fuel costs from shipping goods across states or countries, and less automotive fuel by reducing the amount of truck driving required for shipment. It also means a sustained livelihood of local artisans.

  It can be hard to adjust to lifestyle changes like hundred mile decorating or the hundred mile diet, but the key is to approach them with an open mind and allow yourself to get used to the adjustment before giving up. For example, if you live in New England, think of how many miles an orange has to travel to get to your fruit bowl! If you're buying locally, you may have to sacrifice the fresh citrus fruits in the winter, or plan ahead by canning or freezing your local seasonal fruits and vegetables when they're in season so you can enjoy them all year long. You can start to adapt to the change even simply by changing your approach when you go to the grocery store, and being more careful to pick foods that have been harvested nearby.

  The same goes for green home decorating. It can be incredibly convenient to pick up whatever you need for your home at a mega-store where the goods are shipped in from all over the place, but even small steps can make a difference. For example, head to local flea markets to find locally made baskets and candles. Purchase your furniture from a local reclaimed wood furniture company. Buy homemade runners, drapes or curtains from a craft fair. There are many ways to get started, it just might involve a bit of extra looking!

  Have you adapted any green home decorating methods, or have you taken the plunge into local purchasing? Leave a comment and tell us about it! 

  Posted on May 19, 2008 at 02:13 PM in Green Building • (0) Comments

• Podcast: Prefinishing Green Flooring with Carlisle

  Posted by ChadCassin

  Green Talk Radio recently had Lindsay Barczuk as a guest. She spoke with Sean Daily about the environment considerations of Carlisle's Prefinished Flooring as well as our daily green practices.  

  Give it a listen and let us know what you think.

  Posted on May 9, 2008 at 12:55 PM in Green Building • (0) Comments

• From Apple Farm to Reclaimed “Green” Flooring

  Posted by Don Carlisle

  Reclaimed wood floors are a popular option for homeowners and for public buildings as well. The floors give a sense of history to any building. We understand the importance of maintaining that history. A good example of this is the flooring that we have reclaimed from the Guerrant Family Plantation and Algoma Apple Packing Farm.
  
  Two hundred and fifty years ago the 3,000-acre plantation and farm was the site of 100 buildings. The apples grown on this land near Boones Mill, Va., were harvested and shipped to England and played a role in the nourishment of soldiers from the Civil War to the Second World War. Today only a few buildings made from the plantation trees almost three centuries ago remain, but the wood from these structures are still playing vital roles in today’s construction. It’s the story of the Many Lives of An Apple Farm Tree and the Green alternatives it provides for your home.
  
  Their first lifetime was spent as majestic trees providing shelter and shade for forest animals as an integral part in the eco-system. They grew to great proportions and were likely more than 200 to 300 years old before being harvested.
  
  Their second lifetime was spent as components of the Apple Farm’s many buildings: the large packing barn where apples were prepared for shipment to England was built of chestnut; the farmhand’s quarters were constructed of heart pine; and the main building was oak.
  
  
  

  Posted on April 21, 2008 at 01:06 PM in Green Building • (0) Comments

• 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

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

• 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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