Flooring

Traditional - Wood Floors: Nearly 80% of ancient forests worldwide have been destroyed by timber harvests. Clear cutting in particular destroys an ecosystem's integritiy, and many of the people and cultures who depend on these forests are at risk. In the Pacific Northwest, old growth forests occupy 10% of their original range. The loss of lod growth forests affect species diversity.

Green - Bamboo: Bamboo is a more renewable resource than traditional hardwood floors or other wood building materials used for cabinets, paneling or floors. This is because bamboo grows abundantly and replenishes very fast. Leftover leaves and shoots are utilized as a food source for livestock in the US and in Asia. Bamboo is very hard and more resilient than softer wood like pine. Although it grows rapidly, bamboo is strong when cured, can handle the elements, and high traffic areas on floors.

Green - Cork: Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, which grows in Portugal, Spain and Algeria. Cork is harvested using traditional methods, which has changed little since cork's uses were first discovered around 3000 BC. When harvested, cork is gently removed by hand from only 50% of the tree in 1 x 3 ft. sections, and then aged for 3 - 6 months. This process is repeated every nine years which does not deleteriously affect affecting the tree's health. In the manufacturing process, all raw materials are consumed, either for the finished flooring product or as an energy source. Production waste consisting of cork dust and cork oak tree trimmings are burned in furnaces which supply the heat to bake the cork tiles. Not only does cork provide consumers with one of the most durable, beautiful and comfortable floors available, but it also helps conserve our precious natural resources.

Traditional - Synthetic Carpet: Most carpet is made with petrochemicals, and can be the source of potentially harmful gases - as can the padding, subflooring, and adhesives used in the installation. The "new carpet" smell is the result of the glues and padding and can cause headaches and fatigue, shortness of breath, and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. Although there are efforts to recycle carpets, an estimated 4 billion pounds of carpet ends up in landfills each year.

Green - Flor: Flor is a company that produces modular carpet. The carpet fiber is made from corn, organic wool, and nylon. There are no hazardous chemicals used to bind the carpet fiber to the rubber backing. Hence each 20" x 20" square can be removed for easy cleaning or send it back to Flor and they will recycle it.

Green - Two Market: Two Market produces a complete line of carpet, cork and vinyl that use no VOCs.