The Latest and Greatest in Hard Wood Flooring: EcoFusion

EcoFusion

Bamboo flooring combines renewable and recyclable products from the earth to create innovative flooring solutions for the home.  Selections include strandwoven and compressed bamboo along with recycled wood flooring options.  


Bamboo is much more durable than unsustainable wood flooring with hardness ratings over three times and there are significant environmental factors contributing to this alternative.  While hardwood trees could take 15-100 years to replenish, bamboo is a very quick growing plant and usually takes only 3-7 years.   Our suppliers grow, harvest and process all of their own bamboo.   Since this product is produced faster the costs are much less than traditional and unsustainable hard wood floors. 

 Benefits:

                    Only 100% vertically integrated mill importing directly into North America      

                                 (Grown, harvested, and processed by EcoFusion)

                                No harmful VOC’s including urea formaldehyde

                                Constructed with 100% Moso Bamboo harvested for 5-6 years
                            35-year warranty transferrable warranty
                        

        For more information on sustainable flooring options 
        please visit www.ggreendesign.com or call 508-477-7988.

                        

Environmental Concerns

Are NOT Merely Opinions

5/30/13           

I was struck by a comment from a professional colleague last night at the Recognition Event for Cape & Islands Green and Green Drinks at The Lanes in Mashpee, about a recommendation I was making for non-toxic materials in the home.  This professional argued that my concern over chemicals in our environment, and particularly in the home where windows and doors keep the air and all its bacteria and toxins tightly inside, was only my opinion. (???!!!)

I was floored.  How could an educated, and seemingly environmentally-concerned professional, think that our concerns over toxic substances in the home are merely loosely formatted opinions, rather than the scientific facts they are based on.  If the sustainable business people, like those gathered, are still of their own opinion that environmental issues can be dismissed as perhaps liberal leanings, or treehugger propaganda, how are we to educate the general public – what are the issues that will hit home with them so they can become more aware of what is in the materials in their homes?

Below is a graphic depicting some of the harmful substances that can be commonly found in our homes – in everything from our furniture to our floors, the paint and sealers and even draperies and woodwork.  Though the smells that come along with new rugs for instance dissipate, the off-gassing of in this case of urea-formaldehyde, goes on for years. 

This astounding professional had just had new floors installed and coated them with many layers of toxic polyurethane (NO – water-based does not mean Zero VOC) and complained about the smell, but was resistant to the idea of pre-finished flooring – believing incorrectly that the price would be higher than unfinished oak with multiple layers of toxic sealer. 

Environmental concerns, from the toxic substances in our homes, which can cause neurological damage in residents of all ages, and in particularly children, breathing issues, allergies and cancers, to the toxic substances in our air and water indoors and out, the effects on our weather patterns, et al, are not mere opinions of a few crunchy granola types (though I’ll proudly wear my UCal Berkeley credentials to support the idea that I am well educated and worldly), they are scientific fact and it is in each of our own interests to take notice and be careful what we bring into our homes.

For more information, take a listen to Tom Ashbrook’s program today on WBUR http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/05/30/toxic-chemicals, and the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act that is currently under review and in great need of being updated.

For non-toxic choices from cleaners to flooring, come visit us at ‘g’ www.ggreendesign.com in the North Market of Mashpee Commons– and breathe easy.

Sustainable & Stylish Recycled Glass Tiles & Countertops

Curava surface products make excellent countertops, fireplace surrounds, 

outdoor kitchens, bathroom vanities, shower/tub surrounds, tabletops and furniture.  Curava provides the essential balance of aesthetic, sustainabilithy and materials construction.  If you are considering a kitchen remodel or have decided to change the look of your bathroom Curava should be placed at the forefront of your decision making.      

Curava products are made from resin and 100% recycled glass and seashells.  The seashells that are used to produce the tiles are not altered in any way.  The patterns of color and shine in the tiles and countertops come directly from nature.  The other components that make Curava environmentally friendly are the recycled beer, wine, and water bottles along with defective glass and post-industrial sources.  Curava is also stain, scratch and heat resistant. 

The countertops last a long time requiring minimal care and maintenance.  The production of the tiles also uses zero water waste and very small amounts of electricity for each slab produced.  Curava can also contribute to LEED points because of the recycled content and low emitting materials.  

For more information please visit www.ggreendesign.com or call 508-477-7988.

Marmoleum: A New Take On Linoleum

Marmoleum, a flooring product made of an organic blend of wood flour, cork, jute, rosin, and linseed oil, is not only sustainable but has the ability to be cut into many unique forms and designed to complement your personal style.  The process of creating this versatile product involves combining the blend of natural materials, pressing them together, and drying. 

The result produces sheets or tiles in a wide array of colors and textures. Some Marmoleum floors use a mix of colors to form checkered patterns, realistic imagery, and thousands of combinations of intricate and geometric patterns.  

                           



          Benefits of using Marmoleum

-       Green flooring made of all-natural / renewable materials

-       100% biodegradable

-       Reduces dust mites/ other allergens

-       Anti-static properties allow for ease of cleaning

-       No VOC’s present or toxic substances

-       Long lasting & durable
Easy maintenance

-       Inexpensive

-       Resistant to stains and tearing

    120+ colors of sheets / 30 colors of tile

For more information on Marmoleum flooring and a complete listing of 2013 colors contact ‘g’ Green Design Center at 508-477-7988 and visit us online @ http://www.ggreendesign.com.

Indoor Air Quality

In the coming years, millions of homes will be retrofitted to improve energy efficiency, adding upgrades and installing green features.  When combined with the opportunity to decrease utility costs, consider potential indoor air quality concerns as you make selections for these projects.


                               While some of us are under the assumption that air quality is higher indoors than the polluted outdoors, research has found that the levels of twelve common organic pollutants are actually two to five times higher inside homes than outside.  Surprisingly, this is also true for homes in rural locations.  People average 90% of their time indoors, which poses a greater health risk due to indoor air pollution.  
   
                          The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designed protocols to provide practical guidance on home assessments and corrective actions to maintain or improve indoor air quality along with energy efficiency retrofit and remodeling projects. Some of these indoor air quality issues that often arise and are exacerbated during home energy improvements include: moisture and mold, asbestos, radon, carbon-monoxide, pests, materials emissions, whole-house ventilation for distributed contaminants and more.  

 

So how does this translate for the homeowner who seeks to improve or maintain the indoor air quality of their home when considering upgrades and home makeovers?  We recently had a young couple in our showroom, with several children, looking for flooring options. One of the adults has a chemical sensitivity and was looking for a material that would not aggravate this.  We suggested, Marmoleum®, a product very similar to linoleum flooring, however it is made from an organic blend of wood flour, jute, rosin, and linseed oil. This mix is then pressed together and dried to produce sheets or tiles in a tremendous variety of colors. Marmoleum® does not contain any VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which are commonly used in flooring adhesives and have been linked to decreased indoor air quality and respiratory illnesses.  

American Clay, a natural alternative to plaster, helps to buffer the effects of moisture in a room.   The continual exchange of moisture into dry air inhibits the growth of mold, toxins and pollens and reduces energy use. American Clay is available in four different finishes and unlimited color options. 

Air purifiers provide another option to improve indoor air quality.   

Air purifiers can remove many types of indoor pollutants from the air, including tobacco smoke, biological contaminants such as pollen, mold and animal dander, and household products and pesticides.

The Fresh Air purifier by keeps indoor air fresh and clean day and night. By duplicating the same processes nature uses to clean the air outside, Fresh Air purifier by ecoquest keeps indoor air fresh and clean. Collectively known as ActivePure, these processes work together synergistically to eliminate smoke and odors, and reduce airborne contaminants.  
  
Let us know your questions.  Come into our showroom to see these products for yourself. Prepare yourself to take a deep breath.



     

Or, visit us on line at www.ggreendesign.com.  
Questions?  Email us at info@ggreendesign.com or give us a call at 508-477-7988. 

From the Bamboo Grove - A Wealth of Renewable Bamboo Flooring Options

If you are looking for flooring products that are sustainable, cost-effective, beautiful, durable and easy to care for, then bamboo flooring is a great idea for you.  Bamboo floors have become a wonderfully popular and reliable product with many stylistic changes over the last decade.

EcoFusion, one of our many bamboo sources, offers a range of possibilities of looks and feels.  Yes, you read correctly, feel.  Hand scraped varieties provide the more textured feel similar to antique traditional hardwoods.  EcoFusion flooring products blend renewable and recyclable products from the earth and “fuse” them into innovative flooring solutions for the home. Renewable bamboo and recycled hardwood scraps from furniture factories are turned into beautiful flooring fashion.   All EcoFusion bamboo products meet the standards for credits under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Enviromental Design) Green Building Rating System! 

FEATURES of this beautiful and responsible product include:

• The ONLY 100% vertically integrated mill importing directly into North America (EcoFusion grows, harvests and processes their own bamboo)
•  Manufactured using 100% Moso Bamboo harvested between 5 and 6 years for ideal strength
•  Proprietary engineered cross-grain bamboo core for optimal performance and stability
• No added urea formaldehyde or other harmful VOC’s
•  FSC bamboo available (custom order)
• 35-Year transferrable warranty

These floor coverings are available in lock/float, glue down, or staple/nail. 

EcoFusion is 3 times harder than oak and come in at a great price point.  What’s not to love? Please come down to the showroom where you can view a large variety of colors/stains and textures. Or, visit us on line at www.ggreendesign.com.  Any questions?  Email us at info@ggreendesign.com or give us a call at 
508-477-7988. 

Compostable, Sustainable, and Biodegradable Cookouts, Oh My!

Now that the summer season is in full swing, you will undoubtedly having some great outdoor gatherings and cookouts.  Whether you are hosting a gathering, or attending a pool party, consider alternative dinnerware options that offer quick and easy clean up comparable to the traditional plastic utensils, Solo cups, and paper plates.  

At ‘g’, we are dedicated to helping people find products with the function that we are used to, while being environmentally responsible. We carry a variety of disposable products to help meet all of your entertaining needs. We offer cornstarch disposable utensils that are suitable for foods up to 200° F, and unlike their petroleum-based counterparts, these utensils are made from annually renewable resources.  These utensils are also compostable and can be washed for additional uses if so desired! There is also a line of plant based, 100% compostable straws, cold cups and disposable wheat straw plates.   Looking for another incentive? Our supplier donates 25% of their net profits to grass roots social and environmental organizations, making your dollars go even further towards a sustainable world.

If you are looking for an alternative to Styrofoam, you may like Bambu’s all occasion veneerware bamboo plates. Made from 100% organically grown bamboo, these beautiful plates are sturdier, and are designed to hold a full plate of food. Use and dispose without worries, these plates will biodegrade in just 4-6 months!

When you are ready to clean up your party, consider using BioBag certified compostable trash bags. Manufactured in the U.S., BioBags are made with GMO free crops (genetically modified organisms) and contain no polyethylene, a plastic that mostly ends up in landfills and takes several centuries to degrade.

You can still have fun, while being environmentally conscientious, and who knows, some of these products may be fun conversation starters or even make great party favors. 

Come visit our store for all or your environmentally responsible entertaining needs, or visit us on line at www.ggreendesign.com.  Any questions?  Email us at info@ggreendesign.com or give us a call at 508-477-7988.


Have a great party!