Week 4: Eco-friendly finishes
Many flooring, cabinetry, countertops and other interior finishing materials Such as Formaldehyde-free flooring and cabinets, natural linoleum floors, etc. can also be considered green. Although not all products will carry a certification label, many are still considered ecologically friendly based on the raw materials that are used, the ability to recycle the end product and their low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions.
Bamboo, cork and eucalyptus flooring products are all excellent choices for the home as they are sustainable alternatives to the slower growing hardwoods. These products mature in roughly half the time that it takes hardwoods to grow. In addition to being a good eco-friendly choice, the options are stylish and affordable.
Recycled and recyclable products are finding their way to the market, as well. These include carpet and wallcoverings. US carpet manufacturers such as Shaw and Mohawk have developed programs to recover used carpet, remove its backing and turn the fibers into new carpet fibers. Vinyl wallcovering companies have also developed products that are made from recycled vinyl, and paint manufacturers such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer products that give off very little fumes and toxins.
Other Eco-friendly materials include Driveway paving with Flexi-Pave, a brand-new product made of recycled tires, and stucco exteriors that mitigate pollution buildup on the house, attaching to toxins and enabling them to be washed off the building.
