Posted on: Monday, October 25, 2004

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Staff Writer

People who are building a new home or remodeling an existing residence increasingly appear to be incorporating environmentally friendly products into their construction plans, looking at issues such as the sustainability of the flooring choices they make.

"More and more, people ask for it," said architect Marianne Cooper of Mason Architects in Honolulu. "Bamboo flooring, for example, is environmentally sensitive."

Some folks swear by bamboo flooring. It's hard, attractive, readily stained and stable, and bamboo grows like grass because, well, it is a grass.

Cork flooring is a popular product lately, and the good news is that the cork oaks from which the cork is harvested are not killed or even felled. The Web site www.ecoproducts.com says the cork bark is harvested every nine years.

Some folks look down their noses at linoleum floors as ancient technology, but it's a surprise to many that these flooring surfaces contain virtually no petroleum products and don't release toxic gases.

Experts at www.ecowise.com say linoleum is made of linseed oil (that's where the "lin" in linoleum comes from) and — surprise — cork dust. But the Web site www.environmentalhomecenter.com said the cork interferes with some of the new dyes used to give linoleum exciting colors, and many manufacturers now use pine dust from harvested trees.

Another choice for floors is something that doesn't require new manufacturing or new harvesting of resources. For instance, if you have an old floor in need of help, is it possible to refinish it without tearing it up?

Sean Canfield, owner of Finishing Touch Hardwood Floors in Honolulu, said some contractors can locate recycled floor planks locally, and there are Mainland firms that remill old barn and warehouse timbers, and logs recovered from lake and river bottoms. These sources, although they can be expensive, can provide the comfort of knowing you haven't employed virgin timber, he said.

"A lot of times, the floors look just the same, like brand new," Canfield said.

There is rubber flooring made from recycled tires, although it may have more industrial than home applications.

Tile and stone materials also are touted as environmentally friendly.

If you're looking for carpet, you can seek out a firm that has a recycling program.

If you have a question or concern about the Hawaiian environment, drop a note to Jan TenBruggencate at P.O. Box 524, Lihu'e, HI 96766, e-mail jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or call (808) 245-3074.