We have learned so much about our environment over the past twenty years that we now know we have to be careful about how we use our planet’s resources. Green solutions have been invented for many aspects of our daily lives in order to reduce our carbon footprint and keep our planet clean for generations to come. The options for green flooring have really multiplied in the past few years. The home construction industry in general has been reducing its waste and using less harmful materials and now that ability comes to each and every homeowner. Today’s latest green flooring options now include cork, bamboo, and reclaimed hardwoods.

Cork Flooring

The use of cork flooring has exploded recently, with it being installed in colleges, churches, mansions and even the Library of Congress. Cork is a natural renewable resource; cork flooring is made from the bark of a cork tree, but that bark can be removed without harming the tree. Each tree lives up to 150 years and its bark can be removed safely every 9 years. As an additional environmental benefit, fertilizers and pesticides are generally not used on cork.

Cork flooring will also improve your health as it is hypoallergenic and will not absorb dust, as well as being naturally water resistant and an anti-microbial. It also provides a barrier against pests, especially termites. Cork flooring is resilient and an excellent insulator against temperature and noise, making it ideal for a condo. Overall, cork flooring is an excellent choice for the green homeowner in either a new construction or a home remodeling project.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring is the newest trend to hit home decorating. Bamboo flooring is actually made from the grass of a bamboo plant, but it is still stronger than some hardwoods. Since it is harvested form bamboo’s grass, this type of flooring is a renewable resource; the bamboo plant does not have to be cut down for it to be harvested. Bamboo plants reach maturity in five years, so the plants will produce bamboo flooring materials quickly and over their entire life spans.

Bamboo flooring is extremely flexible and still highly durable. It is naturally resistant to water being a jungle plant and works great in wet areas of the house such as kitchens and bathrooms. Bamboo is cut into planks just like hardwoods and even has its own unique “grain” style. Decorating with bamboo flooring works just as easily as hardwood flooring.

Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is one of the most elegant and classic looks for home decorating and it really makes a bold statement. Unfortunately, hardwood flooring requires a tree to be cut down in order to make the floor planks. The trees can be re-grown, but the mighty hardwood trees take a very long time to reach maturity. A green option is to use reclaimed hardwood flooring. Reclaimed hardwoods are the same woods that are used in flooring now, only they have been recycled and re-milled instead of being thrown away. This option gives you the best of both worlds, you get hardwood flooring and its amazing beauty while helping to recycle and protect the environment.

Green flooring options have really come a long way. They are widely available and at a great price too. Keep these amazing options in mind the next time you are starting a home improvement project or having a new home built.

Watch the video related to home

Alternative version of Guide Me Home and How Can I Go On recorded on March 2nd 1988. Mixed by Joshua J Macrae (formerly of The Cross), Justin-Shirley Smith and Neil Amor and assisted by Dean Crathern. Guide Me Home Lyrics: Now my heart begins to bleed (Ad-libbed lyrics) Who will find me Take care and side with me (Ad-libbed lyrics) Where has all our loving gone Who will find me Come and stand beside me Guide me back Safely to my home Where I belong Once more Who will find me Take care and …

Help answer the question about home

Home prices way down, should your city raise property taxes to make up for lost revenue?
In my home town the value of homes are down as much as 30 percent. Most of the revenue for schools and police comes from property taxes, so rapidly lower housing prices have cut the revenue needed for these important things.

What should the Mayor and City Council do with rapidly falling home asssesments and tax revenue, should they raise the tax rate to make up for the difference?