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Environmental Benefits of Hardwood Flooring


December 26, 2018

When deciding what flooring type would be perfect for a living space, many people tend to lean towards hardwoods for their natural beauty and charm. Any space can be completely transformed with the installation of new flooring – but why should you choose to do so with Reclaimed Hardwood? There are many benefits to choosing reclaimed products, but it is an ideal choice for those who are worried about the environmental impact of undertaking a flooring project. From reducing the impact on a global scale all the way down to maintaining the interior environment of a home, choosing a reclaimed product will help you feel confident in your investment.

Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Process

All Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring begins its journey as a part of an old structure that may be centuries old. The material is recycled from the beams, joists, siding, timbers, and other structural elements of various homes, barns, fences, and more. They are then de-nailed, kiln dried, cut into lumber, and milled into planks, and each board has its own unique character and story to tell from this process. By utilizing Reclaimed products for flooring, it reduces the number of trees that must be cut down to produce new flooring. As many century old structures were built with wooden building materials, there is a vast source of hardwood that is just waiting for someone to give it new life.

Another huge benefit for the environment is that during the milling process for these Reclaimed Hardwoods, less water and electricity is used than in the manufacturing of any other flooring type. This helps to save energy and reduce fossil fuel use, and in repurposing the wood from structures that would otherwise be torn down and scrapped, it also eliminates the pollution to landfills. This milling process allows for the repurposed material to be 100% reclaimed, meaning that you are getting a strong and durable floor that is completely sustainable.

Helping the Environment of Your Home

While helping the environment on a global scale is a huge benefit to choosing a reclaimed product, you may also be wondering how it would impact the environment within your home. Hardwoods do not trap dust and allergens in the way that other types of flooring will, which will help develop cleaner air within your home. Hardwood flooring does require more unique maintenance than other types of flooring as it is susceptible to scratching, but a microfiber mop or brush attachment on a vacuum will help keep the dirt and dust to a minimum.

Many people have concerns regarding the finishing process that is required with any raw hardwood installation, including reclaimed products. Finishing products have come a long way in recent years, and many companies have released natural, lower-VOC products to fit the green initiative. Improvements are constantly being made to increase performance and durability while reducing the impact on the environment. If you are trying to remain environmentally conscientious during the process of installing hardwoods in your home, be sure to ask your local hardwood flooring expert what finishing options would be best for you.

Incorporating Reclaimed Products into Your Design

Reclaimed materials do not have to be used exclusively for flooring, there are many different options available to bring sustainable options into your home. These materials can be used for everything from wall treatments, barn doors, furniture pieces, beams and mantles, stair railings, and more! The options truly are limitless, and these pieces can be worked into any design style. With many options for milling, finishing, and staining, your local hardwood company can help incorporate these beautiful products into your home.

Whatever custom woodwork you are looking to add to your home, Ward Hardwood Flooring can help! They have experience with a variety of products that can bring life back into your home! They put love and care into each one of their projects, as they have for the last 30 years. You can rest assured they will go above and beyond with your project. To explore options for your home, call today at 303-674-6966 or email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com.