subject: Hardwood Floors: Using Environmentally-friendly Materials [print this page] Eco-friendly Hardwood Floors: No Longer an Oxymoron
You love the look of hardwood floors but are concerned about preserving forests and natural environments. You don't want to contribute to clear cutting, slash and burn clearing, or illegal harvesting of endangered hardwood. The good news is that you don't have to worry. Timber industry standards encourage suppliers to "play by the rules" when acquiring timber used for hardwood flooring. Industry policies and initiatives are helping to ensure the continued productivity of domestic and international forests and promote responsible foresting and harvesting techniques.
From Forest to Family Room: Hardwood and the Environment
Destructive practices associated with harvesting hardwood include irresponsible harvesting techniques that can ravage forests and create problems including soil erosion and excessive silt in rivers and lakes.
Managing hardwood sources for sustainable production is essential to preserving natural habitat and hardwood trees. To prevent natural forests from being cleared in favor of more lucrative agricultural crops, the timber industry is educating indigenous populations about sustainable management and responsible harvesting of hardwood. As hardwood becomes recognized as a viable source of income, local populations are encouraged to cooperate in responsible and sustainable growth, management, and harvesting of hardwood resources.
Hardwood Floors: Eco-Friendly Installation and Care
Flooring companies respect their customers' environmental concerns, and also know that promoting sustainable growth and harvest of hardwood helps them stay in business. Hardwood flooring professionals have developed eco-friendly installation techniques that reduce the use of potentially toxic adhesives and other materials. If you're installing unfinished hardwood floors, ask about finishing products that are less harmful to your home, family, and the overall environment. Once your floors are installed, you can clean them with environmentally sound products that maintain and enhance the appearance of your hardwood flooring without creating environmental hazards.
Hardwood flooring materials supplied by environmentally responsible sources can add years of lasting beauty to your home, and you can enjoy your hardwood floors knowing that you've made improvements to your home using sustainable and eco-friendly hardwood.
