GreenPointers: Flooring

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Do Green Upgrades
Pay for Themselves?

An article in the Orange County Register examines the cost benefits of green upgrades and whether they pay off when the home is sold.

The article cites a recent study finding that a $10,000 investment in green certification raises home sales prices by an average of $34,800.

If you've been considering green upgrades for your home, or even getting a green label, learn more about the health, environmental and economic benefits on GreenPointRated.com.

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Do you have a green building question? The "Ask an Expert" forum on GreenPointRated.com is an excellent place to get those questions answered.

Our resident green building expert will give you a detailed answer, and other homeowners will have the opportunity to weigh in with their opinions and experiences.

Ask your question now!

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GreenPoint Rated Guide
to a Green Remodel

Full of pointers on how to make your remodel green, healthier, and more comfortable, this guide will help get you started.

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GreenPointers: Floorings

Our series of GreenPointers provide helpful tips for a healthier, greener home in a variety of topics. Today's topic is flooring.

When it comes to floors, there are plenty of appealing options for every room of your home. While refinishing your existing floors is usually the greenest choice, if you're in the market for new floors, consider products that are reclaimed, FSC-certified, rapidly renewable or recycled.

Here are some things to keep in mind when making your flooring choices:


	AVOID TOXINS
	A common source of indoor air pollution is volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a large class of chemicals that offgas from many building materials. Exposure to VOCs may cause a range of symptoms, from eye irritation and headaches to more severe effects. Many floor finishes, adhesives and sealants emit unhealthy VOCs. Fortunately, the building products industry is responding to these indoor pollution problems by developing safer products, including low-VOC floor sealants and adhesives. These products are now commonly available from most major suppliers at costs comparable to conventional products. Read more about how to avoid VOCs on GreenPointRated.com.
	REFINISH YOUR EXISTING FLOORS
	Refinishing existing floors instead of replacing them might be your most economical option. It's also one of the best environmental choices—it reduces demand for natural resources like wood and stone, and saves energy used to manufacture and ship new products. When refinishing wood floors, use water-based, low-VOC sealers (see above). If ceramic or stone tiles are in good shape, consider cleaning and polishing them rather than replacing them.
	CHOOSE RESOURCE-EFFICIENT MATERIALS
	There are many, many flooring options to choose from that don't tax our natural resources. Opt for products that are made from rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo, cork, and natural linoleum. If you want traditional wood flooring, make sure the wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which gives you assurance that the wood came from forests managed in accordance with stringent sustainable forestry practices. Recycled ceramic and glass floor tiles keep valuable resources out of the waste stream, and can be used wherever conventional tiles are used. You can even use your existing concrete slab as a finished floor by polishing or staining it. This eliminates the need to use additional flooring materials, saving resources.

Read the complete flooring GreenPointers.

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Nov 8, 2012 6:00 PM

Build It Green - Articles

GreenPointers: Flooring