ECO-Friendly Design

Great Western Flooring has been carrying eco-friendly products long before they became popular. We carry plenty of products that are sustainable, recycled, made with non-toxic materials and that are able to be reused or recycled in the future.

Although there are no perfectly green products out there, there are many “shades of green” that you have to choose from when it comes to flooring options. Whether you are looking for a holistic approach or just trying to decrease your carbon footprint one step at a time, we have the products and the knowledge to help you get there.

Below are some common terms and concepts that might help you weigh in on your eco-friendly flooring choices:

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
When products carry the FSC certification label, consumers can be confident that the hardwood product’s chain of custody (all stages of production, distribution and sales) have been independently evaluated and held to standards that protect not only forest ecology but the rights of workers and indigenous peoples as well. To learn more you can visit http://www.fscus.org
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short and/or long term health effects.
Formaldehyde
In the past, many flooring products were constructed using formaldehyde. Although formaldehyde is still used in some hard surface products, Great Western Flooring carries only formaldehyde free carpets. Great Western Flooring carries formaldehyde free hardwood flooring as well.
Green Label Plus Carpets
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) created Green Label Plus to identify carpets and adhesives that are tested by an independent, certified laboratory and meet stringent criteria for low chemical emissions. Great Western Flooring has a large selection of Green Label Plus carpets and all of our re-bond padding also carries the certification.
Download Green Label Plus Fact Sheet
Reclaimed vs. Recycled Wood
Reclaimed wood comes from trees that have fallen in the forest and are used in flooring or furniture production. Recycled wood comes from a variety of places, including old barns, temples, sunken ships and more. It is re-milled to be used again and due to its age, is very dry and less susceptible to movement over time. Recycled woods have a beautiful characteristics and a deep patina that are unmatched.
“Cradle to Cradle” vs. “Cradle to Grave”
“Cradle to Cradle” refers to a product that is essentially recycled in some way. This term is based on the idea of using a product that can be re-used or recycled into something else, hence it is reborn. “Cradle to Grave” refers to a product that can only be used once and is disposed of in the end purely as waste.
Here are some links to other green sources for more information on designing and building green:

ECO-Friendly Design

ECO-FRIENDLY BRANDS