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Flooring
Vinyl flooring is enjoying a comeback, largely
due to its green properties. Made of natural materials such as
linseed oil, rosin and wood flour, it is durable and easy to
clean. Armstrong and Konecto offer a wide array of styles and color
options. Cork, from companies like
North River and
Wicanders, also make good choices for
a green kitchen, as they are made from rapidly
renewable resources.
The newer engineered
versions of bamboo are great. They stand up to abuse from pets, high
heels and heavy weights better than the old
bamboo flooring.
Laminate flooring
emissions come in well below the permissible emission levels for
formaldehyde and VOCs. Also, many of the adhesives and
coatings used in the manufacture of laminate flooring are
water-based products, and laminate flooring comes free of
solvents and wood preservatives, other chemicals that could
agitate allergies or asthma. For these reasons, laminate
flooring is a healthier choice than hardwoods, if only because
the chemical process of offgas emission is decreased, especially
in the first few weeks after installation.
GREEN PRODUCT STANDARDS: What Makes A Product Green
- Products Made with Salvaged, Recycled, or Agricultural Waste
Content
- Salvaged products
- Products with post-consumer recycled content
- Products with pre-consumer recycled content
- Products made with agricultural waste material
- Products That Conserve Natural Resources
- Products that reduce material use
- Products with exceptional durability or low maintenance
requirements
- Certified wood products
- Rapidly renewable products
- Products That Avoid Toxic or Other Emissions
- Natural or minimally processed products
- Alternatives to ozone-depleting substances
- Alternatives to hazardous products
- Products that reduce or eliminate pesticide treatments
- Products that reduce storm water pollution
- Products that reduce impacts from construction or demolition
activities
- Products that reduce pollution or waste from operations
- Products That Save Energy or Water
- Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads
- Equipment that conserves energy and manages loads
- Renewable energy and fuel cell equipment
- Fixtures and equipment that conserve water
- Products That Contribute to a Safe, Healthy Built Environment
- Products that do not release significant pollutants into
the building
- Products that block the introduction, development, or spread
of indoor contaminants
- Products that remove indoor pollutants
- Products that warn occupants of health hazards in the building
- Products that improve light quality
- Products that help noise control
- Products that enhance community well-being
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