Are any hardwood flooring companies eco-friendly?

[aiea]

Hi there,

We are looking at hardwood floors for our house. It's currently tile (we're in FL so there's no "original wood" underneath anything, just a concrete slab).

The Kahrs company has been in business over 150 years and they claim to be environmentally friendly. But is this just marketing BS?

I want beautiful floors but don't want to cut down trees knowing that nothing comparable will be replanted. DH grew up in an area that cut (slow-growing) oaks and replanted (fast-growing) pines, and the companies there always claimed that was eco-friendly... but really it wasn't.

[PatchyMama]

Have you thought about instead finishing the concrete? That is our plan. We laid down bamboo a few years ago but it looks like crap now (it scratches easily). When we pull it up we are going to stain and stamp it. I saw my midwife's floor and fell in love with it!

http://www.concretenetwork.com/photo...rete-floors_1/
(gallery of examples)

[aiea]

Hi PatchyMama,

I have thought of that (and also laminates) but it just won't work for our house/decor. Even though I really like some of the textures they can do!

One thing that may be an option: I had known about reclaimed hardwood and found while searching today that there are many, many places that do this. Anyone have experience with using reclaimed wood? I wonder how much more difficult/costly it will be.

[mk12]

Check out the video on "Green Home Floors" at the site for the HGTV Green Home:

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/pac_ctnt..._64689,00.html

They are featuring Shaw "Epic" engineered hardwood made from recycled wood.

[jenmary]

These guys are in Micanopy FL (near Gainesville)

http://www.heartpine.com/index2.shtml

heart pine and cypress, river-recovered logs, custom milling

[aiea]

Hi there,

Wow, thanks! Micanopy is fairly nearby! That is an excellent option if prices aren't too steep. I also was looking at a Shaw product so will check their video too. I think this will be a long-range project b/c there's so much to learn, but this is giving me good direction. Thanks again.

[JaneSmith1010]

www.healthychild.org has a whole section devoted to safe construction and home building companies and materials. I highly recommend their book as it is filled with these sorts of resources.