Spring Green

Rehab

Give Your Home the Green Light Today

by Crissy Trask

and consumers are beginning to see how their everyday actions impact the whole system.” It helps to know that making over our home doesn’t have to be an all-or- nothing proposition, says Lerner. “Taking

even small steps to renew

year, it’s only natural to feel inspired to rejuvenate our indoor environment, too. Given this natural source of in- spiration, it makes sense to do it using green products that are better both for us and for the Earth. Kelly Lerner, a principal of One

W

World Design Architecture, in Spo- kane, Washington, and co-author

of Natural Remodeling for the Not-

So-Green House, sees a willingness among home-owners to sort through all the green options. “Yes, green materials have become stylish and chic. But homeowners are genuinely concerned about their own health and they also see the connection between their own well-being and the health of their homes and the ecosystem. We all depend on clean water and air, indoors and out, for example,

22

Phoenix

ith Mother Nature beautiful- ly transforming our outdoor environment this time of

a space will give us a sense of owner- ship, pride and comfort every time we enter it.”

Rehab Floors

Foot (and perhaps paw) traffic, spills and abuse take a toll on floors. We could just cover them up with new carpet, but carpet harbors dirt and bacteria. A hard floor is easier to keep clean and will provide more flexibil- ity, should we decide to redecorate down the road. Among the dizzying array of flooring options, a growing number of choices are better for the environment, so doing the right thing doesn’t mean compromising on style and quality.

Certified sustainable wood

Forest certification began as a way to urge logging companies to adopt en- vironmentally sound practices. Today, several certification programs exist within the industry, but according to

the Natural Resources Defense Coun- cil, independent Forest Stewardship Council certification remains the only credible seal of approval for wood products. Look for the FSC mark on packaging and accept no substitutes.

Reputable sources include EcoTimber. com and AltruWood.com.

Bamboo

Bamboo, a rapidly renewable re- source that grows faster than almost any other plant, has found its way into many products, most notably flooring. Dan Smith, president and founder of Smith & Fong Co., makers of Plyboo, remarks that “Bamboo easily passes the environmental test, but it’s also aesthetically and tactilely pleasing as a finish product.” To ensure quality and sustainabil-

ity, select bamboo flooring that carries reputable third-party certifications of compliance with high environmental and indoor air quality standards.

Some reputable sources include Plyboo.com and Teragren.com.

Cork

Cork flooring is made from either the bark of a cork oak tree or recycled natural cork wine stoppers. The former renews every 10 years; the latter, each time we uncork a bottle of wine. As long as cork is harvested correctly, the Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48