Solid Wood Flooring & the Environment

Features of Solid Wood FlooringThere are a variety of design and practical applications of this type of flooring. The material can be used essentially in every room of the house except in a full bathroom. Quality real wood adds a distinct touch to any formal living room, dining room, or bedroom. It also works well with traditional, modern, contemporary, and other decorating styles. A variety of flooring options are available in different wood types, grade, cut, patterns, colour, dimensions, and finishes. Maple and oak are two of the most popular material for real wood flooring because of their natural color and finish. A lot of individuals choose it for its aesthetically pleasing features and its versatility as a structural and design material. Although it can be more costly to purchase this type of hardwood flooring in comparison to other types of flooring material, it is still a sought after style  - the biggest flooring market in Northern America. Maintenance of this type of floor is easier nowadays, since the floors are usually heat treated to give true longevity. In terms of value for money, real flooring increases the resale value of any residential home. Environmental Compliance of Solid Wood FlooringThere are a lot of misconceptions about wood flooring and its impact to the environment. Solid wood derived from timber hewn from well-managed forests are considered environmentally compliant. Organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FCS) in the United Kingdom, the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) in the United States, and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in Canada certify wood-based products that are derived and produced from managed forests. These forest certification bodies use a set of standards for determining eligibility for certification. The criteria and indicators applied by these organisations have been developed to address the issue of forest management from a domestic and global perspective. Trees are essentially a renewable resource when forests are cultivated in accordance to its capacity to produce and regenerate. The solid wood flooring production process consumes less resources and energy in comparison to other types of flooring. During the course of its life cycle, wood flooring improves indoor air quality by emitting oxygen instead of carbon dioxide or any toxic gas. As a material, it is carbon-neutral and can be recycled and disposed without any ill effects to the environment. It is important for responsible consumers to ensure the environmental compliance of the wood flooring in their homes and offices. A good indicator of compliance is the stamp of approval from certifying organisations like the FSC.