Reclaimed hardwood flooring is made from lumber that used to be in old barns, factories, and houses. From an environmental standpoint, saving wood that would be thrown away during demolition is a commendable act. However, to dismiss reclaimed hardwood flooring as another green material would be a mistake: the beauty and quality of the wood to make this flooring is unparallel.

To make reclaimed flooring, wood is dried and remilled into tongue and groove or traditional flooring.


      Here's a video featuring Master Carpenter Norm Abram of This Old House as he explains how to choose reclaimed wood flooring.


This wood can easily be 75 years old, with slow growth patterns and at widths that cannot often be found in the current building marketplace. The density and stability of the wood also makes it highly attractive to designers.

You've probably heard about the green properties of cork flooring, but you may not be aware of the other advantages of installing this material in your home. Similar in cost to tile or hardwood floors, cork flooring can be installed by the careful homeowner and should be considered before your next remodeling project.


Cork Flooring: Versatile, Warm and Cozy

Warmer and softer than tile floors, cork flooring has become very popular for use in the kitchen. It easily absorbs impacts due to the millions of tiny cells present in each square inch. This same quality also means cork flooring is easier on your feet and more comfortable to stand on for long periods of time.

 

Solar powered hydronic floor heating is the term used for water used for radiant heating powered by photovoltaics (solar collectors). Installed underneath floors, hydronic floor heating can make an enormous difference in the temperature of the flooring and consequently your home.

While this green technology may work well, cost and practicality make this a difficult system to recommend to the average homeowner.

In a solar powered hydronic floor heating system, solar panels are mounted on the roof to collect energy to heat water by the means of several pieces of equipment that also monitor the temperature and the amount of water being circulated.

 Image courtesy Chixoy

With environmental awareness growing, bamboo flooring has become a popular material for those homeowners who wish to replace their floors without using wood from old growth forests. While earlier bamboo floorings were expensive and difficult to find, newer products are inexpensive and can be found in many chain home improvement centers.

I made a return visit to the English cottage that I've featured in recent months and was greeted by homeowner and custom homebuilder Jerry Bonner, of Bonner Custom Homes. With Jerry's permission, I was allowed to tour his home and snap a few photos of the finished product. It was truly an honor!

One feature inside his house that caught my eye (among many) were the stained cork flooring tiles he had installed in the basement. It's no ordinary basement but I'll save that for upcoming posts.

Natural cork flooring tiles are fast becoming the hottest trend in today's homebuilding market for good reason.

Here's why...