Fabulous Flooring That's Clean & Green
By: Stacy Gusek
Photo courtesy of Shaw Flooring
Pebble Hill Hickory: Color shown is 144 Prairie Dust. Photo courtesy of Shaw Flooring
In the past, when I thought of "green" anything, what immediately came to mind were the words bland, boring and basic. As much as I want to do good for the environment and my family, is it so much to ask that I get a little style with my eco-friendly package? So naturally, when I went looking for new flooring, I grumbled and walked past all the "pretty" options to take a look at the "green" section.
Much to my surprise, Adam Schneider of Overstock Floors, Etc. in Cumming, was immediately at my side to educate me on the NEW side of green. In fact, I found that what I was looking at was merely the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to eco-friendly flooring options.
"These days, going "green" doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice your needs," says Adam. "Almost every manufacturer has made an effort to offer at least one line that is eco-friendly. Some offer reclaimed/recycled hardwood, others specialize in engineered hardwood...and recycled carpet is even a reality."
Although there were tons of choices, I'm sharing a couple of favorites that emerged at the top of my list.
EPIC® Engineered Hardwood Flooring
It meets GREENGUARD® indoor air quality requirements, is GREENGUARD Children & Schools certified, as well as being deemed an Environmentally Preferred. It is also the first Cradle to CradleTM Silver Certified hardwood flooring product, where the product and ingredients have been verified as healthy materials using eco-intelligent design. Made with EnviroCore®, a high density coreboard from recycled wood fiber, Shaw Floors EPIC® line uses 50% less newly harvested wood, all of which comes from domestic managed forests, making it LEED qualified.
The products themselves are gorgeous! There really is a style to suit every taste, offering six species: Oak, Hickory, Maple, Birch, Cherry and Walnut, as well as two different widths. I also loved the fact that Adam and his team at Overstock Floors, Etc. could install this product on ANY level of my house, including the basement. Since dogs and kids are a concern for me, I asked Adam how well this would hold-up against all the abuse. "The density and stability of the core create a stronger, more durable product, which is then coated with ScuffResist Plantinum to ensure the finish is 6x more durable than the competition. So, you'd practically need a horse in your house everyday to scratch this stuff," says Adam, jokingly. Okay, note to self, no horses.
Anso®nylon Carpet
If you're looking for carpet that will stand up to anything...then Anso®nylon is the choice for you. Made with 25% recycled content, and carrying Cradle to CradleTM Certification, carpets made from this fiber are topping the list of "green" flooring options. Since I do prefer carpet in some spaces, I was pleased with the news...it even increases the R-value of the room it is installed.
I was excited to know that Shaw provides a limited lifetime warranty on all their Anso®nylon products for stains, soil and pet urine stains. "The patented R2x technology that Shaw treats the carpet fibers with helps it actually repel dirt and soil," says Adam. Offering numerous style, color and comfort options in a product that merges beauty and sustainability, Anso®nylon emerges as the clear choice for me. In the past, the color choices were very limited, but the selection was incredible. Everything from multi-colored twists to cut and loop pile patterns, all offered in a rich selection of the hottest hues.
If you have questions on products or need assistance, please contact Adam Schneider of Overstock Floors, Etc. at 770-781-4114, in Cumming off of Hwy. 9, between Stars & Strikes and Goodwill.
