Home building has gone green. Environmentally conscience consumersare driving builders and home product manufacturers to emphasizeenvironmental responsibility. Even products like hardwood flooring -that might not seem to lend themselves to a "green" lifestyle - aregetting an environment-friendly makeover."For some people, it's understandably hard to imagine how you can cutdown an old growth pine or hardwood tree, turn it into a beautifulfloor and still feel you're doing your part to protect theenvironment," says Don Carlisle, owner and president of Carlisle WidePlank Floors. "It's only possible if the wood is harvested from aforest managed according to sustainable forestry practices."
"Thatmeans carefully assessing the age and growth pattern of a tree beforedeciding whether or not to harvest it," he says. "If the decision ismade to harvest, then the sawyers must consider how to do that withoutcausing trauma to surrounding trees or negatively affecting the area'swildlife."
Carlisle, whose family-ownedbusiness has been practicing sustainable harvesting for more than 40years, says builders are discovering that environmentally consciousproducts also make good business sense. Ask your contractor about usingsuch products for new construction or remodeling.
"Woodis an endlessly renewable resource if we take care of our forests," hesays. Harvesting trees that have reached maturity and begun the declinein their life cycles helps maintain the overall health of the forest.
Decliningtrees continue to draw resources from the eco-system, resources neededfor new growth to survive. Responsibly harvesting older timber allowsnew growth the opportunity to thrive.
Reclaiming used wood from old buildings is also recognized as a green building practice.
"Wealso recycle old wood from buildings slated for demolition," says Mr.Carlisle. The reclaiming process gives builders access to some rare,high quality antique wood, takes the wood out of the waste stream andoften preserves a piece of a historic building that cannot be savedotherwise.
Beautiful, rare antique woodslike chestnut, pine and hemlock are often found in old buildings,factories, farmhouses and barns. Carlisle, recognized as a leader inreclaiming wood by the 2004 National Floor Trends magazinemarket study, salvages old wood piece by piece from old buildings. Woodused in nearly every part of a structure - from roof beams to barndoors - can then be turned into beautiful, durable flooring. "Reclaimedwood has a singular beauty and depth of character," says Mr. Carlisle."Putting it in your home is like taking part in a piece of Americanhistory."
Reducing waste and pollution arealso key concerns for green building practices. Manufacturing processesare becoming more refined to minimize discarded materials andby-products. Carlisle has also been pro-active in reducing the level ofvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) in its finishes. The practice makesbusiness sense as well, enabling the company to ship its wood to everystate in the country because the product complies with every state'sregulations on VOC levels.
"It's importantfor everyone to take proper forestry management and the use ofreclaimed wood very seriously," Mr. Carlisle says. "You have to havethe fundamental belief that we can live in harmony with the proper useof our resources. Then you can feel very comfortable using theseresources in products for your home."
"Thatmeans carefully assessing the age and growth pattern of a tree beforedeciding whether or not to harvest it," he says. "If the decision ismade to harvest, then the sawyers must consider how to do that withoutcausing trauma to surrounding trees or negatively affecting the area'swildlife."
Carlisle, whose family-ownedbusiness has been practicing sustainable harvesting for more than 40years, says builders are discovering that environmentally consciousproducts also make good business sense. Ask your contractor about usingsuch products for new construction or remodeling.
"Woodis an endlessly renewable resource if we take care of our forests," hesays. Harvesting trees that have reached maturity and begun the declinein their life cycles helps maintain the overall health of the forest.
Decliningtrees continue to draw resources from the eco-system, resources neededfor new growth to survive. Responsibly harvesting older timber allowsnew growth the opportunity to thrive.
Reclaiming used wood from old buildings is also recognized as a green building practice.
"Wealso recycle old wood from buildings slated for demolition," says Mr.Carlisle. The reclaiming process gives builders access to some rare,high quality antique wood, takes the wood out of the waste stream andoften preserves a piece of a historic building that cannot be savedotherwise.
Beautiful, rare antique woodslike chestnut, pine and hemlock are often found in old buildings,factories, farmhouses and barns. Carlisle, recognized as a leader inreclaiming wood by the 2004 National Floor Trends magazinemarket study, salvages old wood piece by piece from old buildings. Woodused in nearly every part of a structure - from roof beams to barndoors - can then be turned into beautiful, durable flooring. "Reclaimedwood has a singular beauty and depth of character," says Mr. Carlisle."Putting it in your home is like taking part in a piece of Americanhistory."
Reducing waste and pollution arealso key concerns for green building practices. Manufacturing processesare becoming more refined to minimize discarded materials andby-products. Carlisle has also been pro-active in reducing the level ofvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) in its finishes. The practice makesbusiness sense as well, enabling the company to ship its wood to everystate in the country because the product complies with every state'sregulations on VOC levels.
"It's importantfor everyone to take proper forestry management and the use ofreclaimed wood very seriously," Mr. Carlisle says. "You have to havethe fundamental belief that we can live in harmony with the proper useof our resources. Then you can feel very comfortable using theseresources in products for your home."
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